Alpha Hayley’s Destined Mate

Chapter 687: Believe Me

Hayley’s POV:

“M–Murder?” Loretta’s eyes went wide with terror. “That’s impossible! How could I have anything to do with that?”

“There were witnesses who saw you at the scene, and they found some of Hayley’s notes you left behind. That alone makes you a key suspect.”

“It wasn’t me!” Loretta shot to her feet, panic gripping her as she clutched my arm. “Hayley, I swear, I only went to see the professor! I don’t know anything—I don’t even know who died!”

“Calm down. It’s okay,” I reassured her gently. “I’ll look into this and get to the truth. Believe me, alright?”

Still trembling, Loretta gave a shaky nod while clinging to my hand.

“For now, stay here. Don’t go back to campus,” I told her. “And take off that coat. You can grab another from my room later.”

“Alright,” she murmured, obediently agreeing.

I knew Loretta was a Beta with a respectable rank, but she hadn’t received as much werewolf training as someone like the active Henry. There was no way she could have silently killed three people on her own.

Once she had calmed down, she linked arms with me and grinned. “Hayley, let’s eat! After all that stress, I’m starving!”

After we finished eating, Claudio stretched, patting his stomach before getting ready to leave. Just then, the sound of a car pulling up outside caught our attention.

Mira, restless as always, shifted into her wolf form and bounded onto the roof in a few swift moves. She peered outside, then turned back to us. “You all might want to stay put.”

“Why?” Claudio asked, clearly surprised.

Loretta and I exchanged puzzled looks, but Mira didn’t elaborate. A few minutes later, she led us straight to Benjamin’s house. There, we found the so-called witness—bound and gagged, lying on the ground. Though his mouth was covered, his eyes were full of defiance.

As soon as Hera caught his scent, I instantly recognized him. I turned to Zayd. “Take him to the empty room.”

Without a word, Zayd glanced at Benjamin for approval. Once he got it, he effortlessly lifted Ryder with one hand and carried him away. I followed closely behind. Curious about what was happening, Loretta trailed behind me.

Inside the room, Zayd placed Ryder onto a chair before silently stepping out. His expression remained blank, almost mechanical. As soon as Loretta shut the door, I ripped the tape from Ryder’s mouth.

“I knew it! You’re behind this, Hayley!” he spat, his eyes burning with fury. “You want me dead to cover your tracks!”

I sternly said, “I don’t think you framed Loretta just because you’re jealous of me. Now, tell me who put you up to this?”