Alpha Hayley’s Destined Mate

Chapter 653: A Quick Escape

Hayley’s POV:

“I’ve left the airport, but I’ve got a tail on me,” Claudio’s calm voice was devoid of emotion.

“Stay on the line,” I instructed, quickly booting up my computer. After a few keystrokes, I said, “Tell the driver to head into the city’s largest shopping mall.”

“Once inside, go straight to the top floor’s employee changing room. There’s a fresh set of clothes, a phone, and my current location. The back stairwell has no surveillance—move fast.”

“If necessary, shift into your wolf form and get out quickly.”

Claudio’s POV:

Listening to Hayley’s composed instructions, I instantly relaxed.

“Got it!” I replied, shutting off my phone immediately to avoid being tracked. With Hayley in charge, I had no doubt I could shake off my pursuers.

But just a few minutes later, I realized I had underestimated the enemy’s reach. It wasn’t just the assassins who were following me. When I reached the final toll station before entering the city, I ran into a random security checkpoint. There was no doubt about it; this was set up specifically for me.

Behind me were elite Beta assassins determined to kill me. In front of me were police officers ready to arrest me. There was no question—falling into police hands would be far worse.

I lowered my baseball cap, leaned back in the car seat, and feigned sleep. Soon, it was our turn.

A young patrol officer tapped on the rear window. I pretended to wake up groggily, stretching and blinking as if half-asleep. “What’s going on, officer?” I asked, my tone lazy.

“Routine check. Please show me your ID,” the officer said.

“Oh, sure.” I nodded agreeably and began rummaging through my canvas bag. After a few moments of searching, I turned to him with a look of regret. “I’m sorry, officer. I think I forgot it.”

“You forgot your ID?” The young officer frowned, clearly skeptical. “You at least remember your ID number, right?”

“What’s the hold-up?” The other checkpoints had already started verifying information, and our delay caught the supervisor’s attention. He pushed the younger officer aside and leaned in through the window, scrutinizing me with sharp eyes.

“I was visiting my 70-year-old grandmother in the countryside,” I replied smoothly. “Didn’t think I’d need my ID, and I was in a rush when I left, so I forgot to bring it.” I kept my expression relaxed, but my mind was already calculating the odds. If they saw through my lie, how likely was it that I could shift into my wolf form and escape in time?

The officer stared at me for two seconds, then grabbed the ID verification device from the young officer. “ID number,” he demanded.

“830…” I rattled off a memorized string of numbers, maintaining a perfect, easygoing smile. A brief pause. Then, the officer frowned slightly, glancing at the screen before looking back at me. “Your name is… Fayke?” he asked slowly.

I nodded without hesitation.

“Remember to carry your ID next time,” he said, tossing the device back.

I beamed. “Will do! Absolutely!”

“Let him through!”

As the checkpoint barrier lifted, I exhaled, laughing freely. Turning to the driver, I grinned. “Sir, double the fare. Step on it!”

“You got it!” The driver slammed on the gas, rocketing past every other vehicle on the road.

Meanwhile, the senior officer continued checking the next car. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the green taxi I had been in speeding away at full throttle.

And then it hit him. His eyes widened in alarm. Something nagged at him. He repeated the name in his head. “Fayke… Fayke…” Something wasn’t right!