Chapter 587: Do You Have a Problem with My Fiancée?
Hayley’s POV:
I bit my lip hard enough to almost draw blood, struggling to keep Hera from emerging. As much as I hated to admit it, Justin was still Grandma and Grandpa’s biological son. And perhaps, at the core of it all, that was what truly mattered to them—their real son.
Benjamin noticed the frustration bubbling up inside me. He gave me a concerned glance before moving closer, gently taking my clenched hand in his, offering a sense of calm with his warm touch.
Turning toward Justin, he spoke with a calm but authoritative voice, “Hayley, as the future Luna of Midnight Pack, has more than enough authority to express herself.” Then, his gaze sharpened slightly, his words cutting through the air, “Mr. Justin, do you have a problem with my fiancée?”
“Future Luna of Midnight Pack?” Justin’s expression shifted, his face darkening as he processed Benjamin’s statement. Then, with a hint of doubt, he asked, “Are you the Alpha of Midnight Pack?”
Benjamin stood tall, his presence commanding. “Indeed, I am,” he replied, his confidence emanating effortlessly.
Justin stared at him for a long moment, the reality sinking in. He gave a slight nod, recognizing the truth of Benjamin’s claim.
“Well, if that’s the case,” Justin said, attempting to mask his discomfort with a feigned air of generosity, “I won’t argue with her.” Turning to me, he flashed a condescending smile, “You should be thankful to have such an impressive fiancé.”
“But don’t worry,” he continued smugly, “I’ll be just as important soon enough. I’ll take the Alpha position of Shadow Pack.”
His arrogant attitude was unbearable. I clenched my fists, on the verge of striking him. But before I could make a move, Benjamin’s gentle squeeze on my shoulder stopped me in my tracks. His touch instantly brought me back to center.
I froze, hearing his voice, calm yet firm, “You’re mistaken. Hayley didn’t choose me. I chose her as my mate.”
His tone softened as he added, “I love her deeply, and I want to marry her as soon as possible. Whatever she wishes, I’ll make it happen for her.” Then, his voice shifted, a sly, mischievous grin crossing his face. “Even if that means going to extremes like murder or arson.” He made sure each word landed with precision, his final statement hanging heavy in the air.
Justin’s bravado cracked, his confident mask faltering under Benjamin’s intense gaze. Fear flickered in his eyes, unmistakable and genuine. Justin, who usually thrived on arrogance, shrank back. He wasn’t foolish. He knew he had returned for the family’s fortune. But if it meant his life was at risk, what would all that wealth be worth?
For a long moment, Justin remained silent, his expression shifting as he broke into a sleazy grin. “Heh, Mr. Southwell, you’re just messing with me, right? Since you’re Hayley’s fiancé, we’re practically family now. No need to talk about murder or whatever. That’s a little extreme.”
He then turned to me, slapping his own face a couple of times as if to clear his head, and added, “Sorry about that, Hayley. I’m just careless with my words. Please don’t take it personally. As for whether you’re adopted or not, it doesn’t matter. We all share the same last name, Carson, so we’re family, right?”
His petty, childish behavior no longer bothered me. I wanted to slap him for his disrespect, but I held back, not wanting to stir up more trouble or upset Grandpa further. So, I stayed silent.
Instead, I turned back to Grandpa, trying to ease his tension. “Grandpa, you need to rest. Don’t let his words get to you.”
Sighing, Grandpa furrowed his brow and muttered, “Hayley, don’t pay attention to that ungrateful fool’s nonsense…”
Before he could finish, I answered calmly, “I’ve known for a long time.”
Grandpa stared at me, eyes wide with shock, his silence hanging between us. After a long pause, his voice dropped to a soft whisper, “What? How did you know?”