Alpha Hayley’s Destined Mate

Chapter 645: Pulling the Strings Behind the Scenes

Hayley’s POV:

Although the Middletons were also high-level werewolves, their status was clearly not on the same level as the Sanders. They wouldn’t have dared to treat a Sanders member this way unless they had a powerful ally behind them. The situation had escalated too quickly—in just a few hours—and they were trying to corner the Sanders with this marriage ultimatum.

But the threats of reporters and exposing the story went way beyond just forcing a marriage. It wasn’t merely about marrying off their daughter. This was all part of a grander scheme. Someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

I glared at Logan, feeling the surge of energy from Hera building within me. Logan, visibly shaken, finally spoke. “There’s a man with the last name Gildon, a reporter from The Times Daily. I’m not sure how he found out about Peter and my daughter, but he came to me saying he wanted to report on it.”

“At first, I refused, but he insisted. He said the Sanders are powerful, and without media support, we wouldn’t get anywhere. That’s why I agreed.”

“Is that all?” I pressed, not entirely buying his story.

“Yes, that’s all,” Logan replied, nodding quickly, his unease clear. The power Hera was emitting was too much for him—it had clearly unsettled his wolf. And with Benjamin standing beside me, glaring at him, Logan couldn’t keep his composure. He fled before I could press him further.

As I watched them leave, Alan stood still, his expression tight with frustration. After a moment, he sighed and began to walk away, pausing next to me.

“Come with me,” he muttered, his tone terse.

“If you have something to say, say it here,” I shot back. I wasn’t about to cater to his condescending attitude. He was not the boss of me, and my status was on par with him, if not higher.

Alan hesitated, uncomfortable with my defiance. His voice was laced with irritation as he spoke again, “You were really harsh just now. Doesn’t seem very ladylike, does it?”

“Are you lecturing me?” I asked, my tone icy.

“I’m not lecturing you; I’m teaching you,” Alan replied, his words dripping with condescension. “You’re just a female Omega—you shouldn’t be involved in all this.”

“So, you’re telling me I should just stay out of the Sanders’ affairs? Is that what you mean?” I asked bluntly, my voice direct.

“Why do you talk like that? I don’t want you to get into trouble!” Alan’s voice rose, his frustration clear.

“Who are you to decide whether I should get into trouble?” I retorted, glaring at him. “I’m responsible for my actions. If trouble comes, what’s the big deal? I’ll deal with it.”

“Or is it that you think with one more daughter, you now have more people you can control?” I added, cutting through his thinly veiled attempt to dominate.

Suddenly, Freya stormed into the room, her eyes wide with outrage as she rushed over to Alan’s side. I didn’t know who told her about what was going on. “Hayley, how can you speak to Dad like that?”

She stood next to Alan, glaring at me with an almost theatrical expression. “Dad’s only just recovered from his illness, and you’re still stirring up trouble. Can’t you just show him a little patience?”

Her performance was so fake it was almost laughable. We all knew she was the one who wanted the Sanders to fall apart so she could take control. Yet here she was, pretending to be the concerned daughter.

I sneered, “I almost forgot—I brought him back to life. What exactly have you done to earn the right to lecture me?”

“Hayley, you shouldn’t be saying things like that. Before you came back, I was the one holding the Sanders together!” Freya exclaimed, full of self-righteousness.

“And for the past few days, I’ve been the one looking after Dad. Don’t just erase all my hard work because you think your contributions matter more!”

“Enough!” Alan snapped, his voice loud and full of frustration. “I should’ve just left things the way they were. It was peaceful when I was unconscious!”

With that, he stormed out, his authority slipping away with each step. Freya glared at me, her eyes narrow with disdain, before following him out the door.

Hera, furious beyond measure, was ready to lash out, but I held her back, keeping my composure.

“That bitch!” Virginia spat, her voice sharp with anger as she watched Freya leave. “Your father’s completely under her spell!”

“Let it go, Mom. Don’t say anything more,” Peter said, his voice calm as he tried to soothe her. He lifted his head slightly from the bed and looked at me. “Michelle, I’ve thought about it. Dad’s right, in some ways. We can’t let this mess drag you into it. If it’s going to cause you trouble, maybe it’s better if you stay out of it.”

“You’re trying to tell me how to handle things now, like that guy?” I asked coldly, my voice dripping with ice.