Chapter Eighteen

3 weeks later

Alexia walked down the stairs into the newly converted common room. The Great Hall was repainted and furnished to create a casual area for everyone to hang out.

Wide floor-to-ceiling windows were installed, and the windows were covered with heavy dark-blue damask curtains. The curtains could be open for natural light, or closed whenever the indoor movie theatre system was to be used.

There was a huge plasma TV placed adjacent to the home theatre, and the large sofas facing them were also placed at angles to each other. A foosball table was on the other side of the electronics along with a billiard table, an air-hockey table, and a table tennis table.

There was a large refrigerator fully stocked with water, soda, and beer. There was a snack bar with different types of snacks and candies, and a mini bar with assorted spirits.

Sean was sitting on the sofa that faced the television. He nursed a can of beer, watching a football match.

“No, no, no, no…NO! He should have scored that touchdown—” Alexia tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned back. He smiled at her, “Hey Alexia.”

“Hi Sean. Who are the teams playing?” she asked.

“Uhm, Miami Dolphins versus Dallas Cowboys,” he replied.

“Cool,” she said and came to sit down beside him. He adjusted a little, and put his arm behind her on the sofa.

He assessed her from head to toe, and frowned at her outfit. Alexia sensed the shift in his mood, and turned to look at him.

“What is it? What’s wrong with my outfit?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he said and turned back to the television.

Alexia frowned and looked down at herself. She was wearing one of Hayden’s grey t-shirts with a pair of tight jean shorts that reached her knees. Her hair was in a fishtail braid and it hung on her shoulder, with a few stray strands around her face. There was nothing wrong with it.

“Seriously, Sean. Is there anything wrong with what I’m wearing?” she asked again.

“Nothing but…” he hesitated, then continued, “Will you continue to wear Hayden’s t-shirt forever? I mean…don’t you need your own clothes? You will soon be the Luna of the pack, and you walk around the packhouse and town, always dressed in his clothes. Everyone will see you as not more than his bimbo or something; the way Clara was to him,” he finished.

Understanding dawned on Alexia and she nodded thoughtfully, “I didn’t see it that way. I thought…never mind…Excuse me. I need to do something,” she stuttered and stood up from the sofa. Sean grabbed her hand before she could start walking away.

“Did I offend you?” he asked pleadingly.

“N..No, you did not. Thank you for telling me. I just have to do something,” she said and freed her hand from his hold, before she hightailed it back upstairs.

She gathered her thoughts and rearranged her facial features to look calm, then she knocked on the door of Hayden’s office.

“Come in, babe. I know it’s you. I heard your footsteps,” his deep voice rumbled from behind the hardwood door.

Alexia smiled despite herself. She opened the door and stepped in, just as Hayden stood up from his chair.

He walked around the table and came to hug her, then he kissed her soundly on the lips.

“You are the distraction I have been waiting for,” he said and released her, “Take a seat.”

Alexia sat down, and tried to keep the smile on her face, but it melted away and she looked downtrodden. Hayden sat on the desk in front of her, and tilted her chin up so she could look him in the eye.

“You’re unhappy. What’s wrong?” he remarked.

She sighed and looked down, fumbling with her fingers. Hayden got down from the table and swivelled the chair around so he could crouch and look her directly in the eye, “Tell me. Did I do anything?”

She sighed again, “No…it’s not you. I just…” she paused again. Hayden nodded reassuringly and she continued, “How do you think people in town perceive me? Like I am your bimbo? I mean, I’m always wearing your clothes and stuff? Doesn’t that make me…shameless?”

Hayden looked puzzled, “Where is all this coming from? Did anyone say anything to you? Who was it?”

“It was Sean. He said that people will think I’m just another Clara to you if I keep walking around in your clothes, that it is unbecoming of a future Luna,” she replied.

With every word she said, the dark cloud in Hayden’s eyes became darker, until he looked positively murderous. He stood up angrily, “I am going to kill that bastard!” he growled and started to walk out of the office.

Alexia stood and grabbed her mate’s arm, and he calmed a little, pausing. “Wait, please. He’s only telling the truth. I agree with him, please,” she pleaded.

He turned around and held both her hands gently in his, “It doesn’t matter. As long as everyone knows you’re my mate, which they already do, they will respect you. They have no choice but to do so; you are their future Luna. It may take a while because you are a Huntress, but if it bothers you that much—” he let go of her hands and hopped to his table. He rummaged around a drawer in his desk, and triumphantly presented a MasterCard Black Card.

“—let’s go shopping!” he exclaimed. Alexia’s eyes widened in delight and surprise.

“Wait, can we go shopping? How do you have a Black Card? Can we really go shopping?” she rushed out.

Hayden smiled at her excitement, “Yes, we can go shopping; yes, I have a Black Card, I’m rich; yes, we can go shopping.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Thank you so much,” she shrieked happily and launched herself at him. Hayden chuckled and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

“You’re welcome, darling. Anything for you,” he vowed and kissed her cheek.

***

Hayden and Alexia walked out to the garage, and Alexia’s eyes rounded when she saw the luxury cars parked there.

There was a black Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster, a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT off-road vehicle, a Toyota Camry 2021 and an Ecosse ES1 Spirit power bike.

“Whoa!” she exclaimed, “Is that an Ecosse ES1 Spirit power bike?”

“Yes, it is,” Hayden replied, but Alexia was no longer listening.

“This bike was designed to be as powerful as an F1 car. It has a different suspension system for both front and back suspension. Weighing in at 265 pounds, it can travel at 230 miles per hour. It is a cap—” she recited the statistics as she circled the bike. Hayden grabbed her and steered her away from the bike.

“Yes, yes; I know. It’s a very powerful bike. Maybe I’ll let you take it for a spin later, but today, we’re taking the Mercedes. I’m taking the top down,” he teased.

Alexia looked up at him in awe, “How rich are you? That bike is worth over 3 million dollars!” she exclaimed.

“I’m rich darling, very rich,” he said casually, and opened the door of the car. He nudged her in, and she entered. He went to the other side and got it, then he started the ignition. The car engine roared to life, and he pressed a button that opened the garage door.

When it opened fully, he stepped on the accelerator and the car screeched out of the garage.

***

“They’re out of the packhouse,” she said to the person on the phone.

“Are you certain?” said the person on the other side of the call.

“Yes. I am absolutely sure. Their car just drove off,” she confirmed.

“Alright. Plant the stuff in his office and the bedroom. Put it in a hidden place. Ensure that they don’t see it. Slowly, it will start to perform its job, and sow discord between them,” the person explained.

“Okay. Alright, I understand. I will do it now,” she replied and hung up. There were two figurines in her hands. She sprayed masking spray on herself, then she put the figurines in her pockets and strolled casually to Hayden’s landing in the packhouse.

She gently opened the door to the office, and planted one of the figurines behind the stack of books on his shelves. She ensured that it was well-hidden from every angle, then walked out of the office and into the bedroom directly across.

She paced the other figurine under the bed, right below where their heads rested. As soon as she proceeded to leave the room, she heard Ace’s voice call out, “Hayden? Hayden?”

Her heart skipped a beat in fear and she froze with her hand on the door knob. When he got no reply, he paused for a bit, then went back down the stairs. She exhaled loudly, and walked out of the room.

She left as silently as she entered the packhouse, then pumped her fist in the air.

“Let’s see how the Second-Chance mate will save the Supernaturals if they can’t maintain a relationship,” she thought, gloating.