One Day, I Woke Up A Werewolf
Chapter 31

Hailey's POV

Jaxon's mother had put together a celebration of some sort, to celebrate her son finding a mate and the pack kind of accepting me.

"You will sit with Jaxon and his family to show unity.” My father tells me but I ignore him and walk over to where Cayden was seated with the rest of our pack.

I sit next to him and my father follows, eyeing me curiously before taking a seat.

"He has not claimed me yet so I don't see why I should leave my pack to sit with his and besides, I have not decided if I'll be leaving this pack to join his. I am your only child, which means I am your only heir. If they expect me to drop everything to join them, well then.. they are in for a surprise.” I say.

My father smiles warmly and it takes me back to my old father... the one that hated me.

When he smiled, all of our problems faded away and it made me the happiest girl. Maybe because he rarely smiled at me or anyone really...

"You did the right thing." Cayden says to me, nodding his head in approval.

The festivities began.

There was dancing and a little play fighting here and there. Jaxon kept stealing looks my way but I ignored him. Although I could not ignore the little flutters my heart would make every time our eyes connected.

I can't seem to get over the jealousy of seeing him with Azuri and I keep wondering what they get up to when I'm back at home and they are left here, their home by themselves.

Just looking at him brings upon all sorts of insecurities.

"Who is that girl?" Cayden asks me, pointing at Azuri, who was seated next to Jaxon.

Not surprising...

They seemed to be laughing about something, as Jaxon was lost in laughter and this time, not even looking my way.

"That's Azuri. Jaxon's ex girlfriend.” I say right before I let out a sigh in defeat. Once again, Azuri was with my man.

"Ex? Girl, are you sure?" Miriam asks me and we both look at them.

Azuri's was laughing, her fingers holding on to Jaxon's arm for what seems to be support so she doesn't fall off her chair.

"I can tell you one thing.. girl is not shameful.” Miriam says and I chuckle as I remember what I've been through with that girl.

Minutes pass by and Jaxon still doesn't look my way. His entire attention shifted to Azuri and friends... it has me feeling a little bit small. Like an intruder and finding somewhat of a comfort that I chose to sit with my family as I could not know how I would be treated, had I sat next to Jaxon.

I didn't miss when they locked eyes before bursting in to laughter without saying anything, I also didn't miss the fact that Azuri's hand stayed firmly in place, holding on to Jaxon's arm.

"I seem to have lost my appetite.” I say, pushing my food away.

My father, who was talking to the older pack members looks at me and then at the table in front of us, then back at me.

"It is unlawful for a shera to fall in love with a mera. Whatever you do with this information, 1 will stand by you." Cayden says to me.

Miriam smiles warmly at me, sitting across the table, she takes my hand and squeezes it.

"Is it unlawful for me to dance with a mera from my pack?" I ask the table and they all say no.

So I turn to look at Cayden, who rolls his eyes but gets the message loud and clear before standing on his feet and holding out his arm for me to take.

I stand up and we make our way to the dance floor. Our other pack members join us, all coupled up. Cayden takes the lead as the band begin to play a song.

The song takes me back to the time my dance teacher hosted a father and daughter dance. The one time my dad showed up and showed off.

Cayden was just as good, holding me like the delicate flower I was years back. He moved fluidly with each step and was dominant enough to lead.

"You're really good.” I whisper in his ear.

"Does that surprise you?" He asks, I could somehow feel him smiling and that brought a smile to my face.

"Yes. Yes it does but I'm not complaining. This is exactly what I needed. Thank you." I say and we dance on quietly.

Not noticing the fact that the crowd had dispersed to watch us dance. Everyone enjoying our little show as we move to the music unaware.

Maybe Cayden was aware, he was just being the dutiful beta I'm sure. Although right now, I felt a friendship growing.

The song ends and we pull apart as the crowd erupts, bringing me back to reality. We turn to face the crowd, Mrs Gellar running towards me and pulling me in for a hug.

"That was exceptional! I could ask you both to go on again but I feel my son is about to have a heart attack trying to keep it together.” Mrs Gellar says, laughing right at the end

Cayden excuses himself and heads back to the table as I turn to face Jaxon. My eyes found his looking right at me, all the laughter had died down and I had finally caught his attention. Azuri, still next to him, huffing and puffing in anger.

"Excuse me ma'am, but I need a glass of water after this." I say, walking back to my table. Actually running away from Jaxon's burning gaze.

My dad stands up to hug me before we both sit down.

"Did you guys enjoy the show?" I ask.

"Oh we did. The way you both moved, it's like you guys have been practicing together for years and brother! I see mom's dance classes paid off." Miriam says, we all look to Cayden for a reaction.

"To truly become a good fighter, one must learn to move.” Was all he said. The ever mysterious... "I'll also tell you that the jokes died down the minute you two started dancing. So well done!" Miriam tells me before stealing my plate. I allow it since I told everyone I had lost my appetite.

My eyes find Jaxon's again and this time I don't look away. We stare at each other for what feels like minutes, still feeling so jealous and angered by the two lovebirds sitting next to each other that I could not return his smile. He looked at me, alarmed and worried probably because I was not as warm as he was being.

"Excuse me. I need some air.” I say, standing up and running out of the room.

The fresh air hits my face and it calms me. The amount of anger I was feeling was starting to scare me and I needed to get away.

"We meet again.” I hear Azuri say. I don't even turn to face her, I won't give her any reaction. I was outside to escape her displays but she followed me out.

"Oh come on, you're not happy to see me little new wolf?" She taunts and I still remain quiet.

Azuri walks around me and we face each other. For the first time, I looked her dead in the eyes, feeling no need to cower away.

"You dishonor me." I say, catching her by surprise and myself, as we stare at each other.

"What do you mean little wolf?" She asks me.

"You are beneath me and yet you carry the audacity to look me in the eyes even when I ignored you." I say.

Azuri growls lowly, probably trying to intimidate me but my wolf refuses to back down.

"You are nothing to me. I don't owe you any respect.” She responds, stepping close to me to be mere inches to my face. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"As you have seen, Jaxon will always keep me close by. You may be his baby making factory, but he always comes back to me." Azuri says and I chuckle this time.

For the first time, I laugh at this. Azuri, growls a little louder and I stop laughing to really look at her. On my first day, this talk scared me shitless but not today.

Today, I was the alphas daughter. Today I was the future alphas mate. Today, I had a few above her and this little talk did nothing to me.

I take a lose strand of her hair and put it behind her ear.

"I can understand your obsession with Jaxon. He is handsome and obviously strong, he commands respect and has some crazy sex appeal but he isn't and will never be yours. You know it and I know it, heck the whole pack knows it but you continue to embarrass yourself over and over again for a love that will never be reciprocated. Sit by him all you want, grab his hand baby and force things but deep down you know where his heart is and it is with me. From my first day of school, to your expulsion and return, I hold his heart in my hands and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it." I say before turning around and walking away from Azuri.

Jaxon was standing at the door watching and listening. His hands balled up in to fists, his eyes glaring at Azuri.

I walk past him too, surprising him before he quickly reacts and pulls me back to him.

"Hailey?" He says and I look up at him.

"You disrespected me more than once today. I need you to know that I'm a new wolf and I won't be able to control my jealousy any longer. If you intend on sitting next to that bully, laughing with her as she holds on to your arm, I will lose it. Don't ever put me in a position where I feel threatened by your past, ever. Anyways, I need to cool down.” I say and I walk away.

I hear Jaxon chuckle behind me but I don't turn around. I want to slap him and kiss him at the same time, probably slap him first but I also want to be mad at him for that stupid display.

I make it to my table and join in on the conversation. Jaxon makes it back to his, with Azuri coming in after him. She still sits by him and he allows it.

I look away, deciding to join my pack’s banter as we joke about and laugh until I hear Jaxon's laughter...

I could hear it in a club full of people and loud music. His laughter was infectious, it will make anyone smile or join in the cackles. So I look on, to see my mate in conversation with Azuri and only Azuri.

Her hand was back on his arm and they looked to be having a good time. Never running out of words and as she laughs, her hand would squeeze his arm.

I could feel my whole body heating up, if I was a cartoon character, steam would make it out of my ears. I could feel the jealousy growing more and more, my wolf angered by what was in front of her. I was completely consumed in rage, having warned Jaxon but he didn't take me seriously as he clearly continues to engage his ex.

Azuri picks up a grape from the fruit platter in front of them and without knowing my own power or that I that I have any, I set the platter on fire.

Bursting their little bubble, everyone on that table moves back. I close my eyes, which kills the fire and I stand up.

"We are leaving.” I say out loud, the whole room looks at me before quickly looking down.

My pack stands up and follows my lead as I stomp my way out of that room and to the car I came in. There is no way I'm going to sit there and watch the blatant disrespect.

My father catches up and walks beside me.

"Want to tell me how you did that?" He asks.

"Did what?" I ask.

"The fire." He says grimly and I just shrug.

I stop walking and my dad stops too.

"I was angry. I am angry! I told him I can't control the anger but he just laughed at me and went back to his table to do the one thing I told him not to do. I don't know how I did it, I can't tell you that but I can tell you that when I saw the fire, I knew it was me so I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. I'm sick of this stupid mate shit. Wolves are no different to humans, stomping on each other's hearts. Always picking the option of toying with someone's emotions!" I say, my whole body shaking in anger.

"Hailey..." Jaxon calls out to me. I feel his hand touch my shoulder and I quickly move away.

"Don't touch me!" I say, turning around to face him.

"Hailey, I meant nothing by it. Azuri is just a friend.” He tells me and I scoff at him.

"I challenge Hailey to the death." Azuri blurts out. The crowd gasps, Jaxon turning to face his so called friend.

"What are you doing?" He asks.

"I am fighting for what is mine.” She says, the crowd gasping once more.

"Hailey, you don't have to do this. You are not part of their pack yet so the challenge cannot be envoked.” Cayden tells me.

"There will be no challenge. How can there be a challenge now that we know of Azuri's actions?" Someone from the crowd shouts out.

Mr Gellar looks at his son, clear disappointment etched on his face.

"She must pay!" The crowd goes, everyone blaming her for falling for the alpha.

Nowhere do I hear them calling out Jaxon for the role he played. Azuri looked on in fear, having blurted out the challenge without thinking, now she was in real trouble.

I'm sure people knew of her transgressions, the whole school knew they were a thing but to publicly challenge me, to fight for what she believes to be hers is a public declaration of her love for Jaxon. Which could get her killed.

"Was she alone when she fell in love? Or did she get used for her body for selfish pleasure?" I ask out loud.

The crowd going silent.

My dad tries to silence me but I will have none of it.

"Oh trust, I am appalled by Azuri's challenge. She would ruin the future of the shera's because she is hurting? Jealous? Think beyond your own pain for once. Many have been in your shoes Azuri and I am to bring the end of this struggle. The struggle of being used continously because they know you cannot have children, teenage pregnancy averted. Jaxon can't be the first wolf to use a woman for his needs at the time and toss her away when he has no use of her." I say, some of the women start to nod their heads at my words.

"How many of you have fallen prey to the smooth words of the Mera's around you? Throughout your youth and in to old age, most of you have been in Azuri's shoes but obviously weren't foolish enough to endanger your lives but can you blame her? She is promised a life of loneliness. Only death can save her from such a life and I don't want to hear that being a warrior is an honor, oh save me the bullshit story. Love is everything! We all want it and why should the men be the only ones to get it? This is why I'm here Azuri. I know you love him but he was chosen to walk this path with me. I'm to give him children, I'm told many. He was never yours from the start... I'm sorry you are hurting but I won't fight you for what I know is mine. My body knows it because when he touches me, I feel these sparks tingle my body. My heart beats to his and I know this because his heart is the one that beats the loudest right now. I know he is mine because even in my jealous rage, I want to kiss him so badly and do other things. Don't kill yourself for a man that won't do the same? I can promise you that he will cry for you in my arms. Tell me how you were a great friend but move on as quickly as your death happened, because I am his reason for breathing. If I die, so will he and you will never have him." I say.

The shera’s clap their hands, my words ringing true for all of them.

"I know I am not part of this pack as yet but it would not be fair if you killed Azuri and not Jaxon. How can it be a crime to love? Something that comes so effortlessly? Spare her please. The shera's have been through enough already and if this was her plan, to die then let her use her own hands." I say, looking at Mr Gellar.

He nods his head at me.

I walk up to Jaxon, cupping his cheek as I look up at him

"I am still angry even though I saved your little friend. Never make me feel like that again.” I say before kissing him on the lips and my whole body calming down at once

"I'm guessing you will all spend the night then? It is far too late to drive out now." Mrs Gellar says.

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