Un.Wavering (Claimed Series Book 3) (9 page)

Even after just a couple days with Celeste, she’d managed to affect him.

Snapping out of his haze, Cole stepped away from Igor’s fallen form and wiped a forearm across his face, removing any excess of blood around his mouth. He stared steadily at Hayden, his eyes still amber, yet far more tame than they had been earlier.

“I’m hungry,” Hayden said abruptly, extinguishing the heavy silence. Despite the thick gore in front of her, she managed to conjure an appetite. “I’ll get us some dinner.”

Just as she was about to retreat alone, Nicolas called out behind her.

“You don’t need to worry about dinner. While you were taking your time getting here, Cole and I caught enough game to cook for all three of us.” He smirked at her, knowing perfectly well he thwarted her attempts to escape the situation. “Come.”

He turned his heel and led the way, leaving Hayden and Cole to follow suit. She looked at her Alpha, sensing his extreme unease. His glazed eyes were evidence that the old Cole wasn’t present, but it still wasn’t enough to shun Hayden.

She took a small step closer and curled her fingers around his hand.

“It’s good to have you back, Cole.”

He stared at her in silence, still struggling to come back down from his bloodlust. His eyes dropped to their locked hands and then to the safe distance she positioned herself. A shadow passed across his face, an unidentifiable emotion.

“Cole—” Hayden began to explain, but found herself a loss for words.

How could she possibly explain that she was ecstatic to have him back, but also a bit wary of him at the same time? It hadn’t been her intention to keep a distance, not when she wanted to demonstrate her support.

Detangling their hands, Cole turned his shoulder and started after Nicolas.

“You need to eat.”

Hayden released a heavy breath, staring after the two brothers. Her eyes drifted towards Igor, or what was left of him, but then quickly looked away.

It was best not to let her mind linger.

* * * *

Hayden never thought gnawing the flesh off a bone would be
luxurious
for her, but it was. For the first time in days, she was content as she ate her fair share of meat.

And then some.

For a moment, nothing worried her. Her stomach was full, the fire was blazing, and Cole sat opposite of her, free from Celeste’s hold. The only thing that ruined the picture of serenity was in the form of a scheming man, who sat only a short distance away from her.

Nicolas appeared occupied with his dinner, but Hayden knew he was simply biding his time. Occasionally, he would glance at his brother, a soft smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. It was if the man eagerly awaited for the calm to break.

Hayden knew Cole was restless. She knew he had questions, and she knew the initial relief during their reunion would fall way to frustration. He would want to know why she left the pack and chose to accompany
Nicolas
, of all people.

“I think you owe me an explanation.”

As predicted, Cole broke the silence.

Unsurprisingly, his demand was directed towards Hayden, not Nicolas. She barely paid him any heed, acknowledging his ire and countering it with tranquility.

“Blake and Nathan are more than capable of defending the pack together,” Hayden rebutted, throwing a clean, spotless bone into the flames. “After Celeste’s attack, we assembled and agreed to part ways. They joined Adolf’s pack up North and I accompanied Nicolas to rescue you.” 

Cole made a noise, halfway between incredulity and amusement. “Celeste.”

Hayden looked at him sharply, frustrated, but she understood his disbelief. It had taken her awhile to accept that Nicolas was not solely responsible for the destruction. It would take Cole even longer, especially when Nicolas still had to answer for their parents’ death, and for the fact that he
had
joined forces with Celeste.

“You remember that town of slaughtered humans on our way to your father’s cabin, Cole. Remember they began to turn? A werewolf shouldn’t have the ability to turn humans on nights that aren’t the full moon. But we witnessed it that night. You even commented on the abnormality.”

It was upsetting, the way Cole looked at her. His face normally reflected strength and reservation, but tonight, darkness and obscurity took its place. Hayden tried not to let his change of demeanor affect her.

Hayden exhaled at his silence. “You even told me you’ve noticed some of the rogues beginning to appear stronger. And some without scent. And when… when Tracer, Evan, and Nolan attacked you that day… you could barely fight back.”

She remembered it vividly. At the time, she didn’t understand their enemies’ brute strength. It had been difficult to watch Cole go down so easily. The three Carriers had toyed with him, thought it was amusing to bring him down to his knees.

“You are trying to tell me
Celeste
is creating a genetically-altered werewolf.” Cole’s expression remained carved from stone. “That sounds unreasonable, Hayden. It is far-fetched and far too fanatical.”

Hayden glanced at Nicolas, noticing the eldest Slayter’s insistence to remain silent. It was probably for the best. If he tried to explain anything to his brother, Cole would purposely disagree and turn a deaf ear.

However, Cole was also being difficult with
her
.

In truth, he was being childish.

“What’s unreasonable is that you’re intentionally trying to argue with me when you know what I’m saying is true.” She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin defiantly. “How can you rebuke their strength when you faced it yourself? How can you possibly explain why you were injected with serum and held captive?”

He remained silent, observing, and dangerously still. Slowly, he looked at Nicolas and then again at Hayden. His lips twisted into a semblance of a smirk, as if he saw some sort of comradeship.

“I am not rebuking you.” He studied the fire briefly, the amber in his eyes glowing as it reflected off the flames. “What does Celeste hope to accomplish?”

She tittered between relief and suspicion. Either Cole believed her, or he was simply humoring her. It was difficult to discern, she realized. She never felt this distant from him.

“Nolan, Evan, and Tracer are her three Carriers,” Nicolas began. “They are the ones who Sire humans into superior creatures, gaining complete control over them. And in turn, Celeste has full control over her three Carriers. She was planning on turning you into a fourth Carrier.”

“And Hayden?” Cole demanded unexpectedly. “What of her? Tracer was her Sire.”

“Hayden was the first prototype.” Nicolas smiled grimly, as if reflecting on something fondly. “According to Celeste, a failed prototype. Hayden was too defiant. She also didn’t possess the strength Celeste demanded in a soldier. Back then, the serum hadn’t been perfected yet. Tracer wasn’t at full potential, not even half.”

“What are the consequences?” Cole bit out. “With the serum in her system?”

Nicolas glanced at Hayden and she gazed stonily back. She’d wanted to ask the same question earlier, but her mind was always preoccupied with Cole’s rescue. 

“She
does
have heightened ability—”

“That isn’t my question.”

Nicolas raised a simple eyebrow. “She has lived this long. There were others that were Sired around the same time. Most weren’t as lucky. Some are still alive. Some died periodically through the transformation.”

Hayden flushed hotly the same time as Cole stood up. He held his temper in check, though, and refrained from crossing over to Nicolas’ side of the fire.

“What do you mean periodically?” Hayden pressed.

Though she was just as upset at Nicolas for withholding the information, she knew she needed to offset Cole’s wrath with composure, otherwise, her resentment would only fuel his anger through their bond.

“Most died early in their transformation, my dear. I highly doubt you need to worry. You
were
the only female who survived, which is why Celeste finds you so captivating.” His eyes peered over the fire and on to Cole’s trembling figure. “If it wasn’t for
me
, Hayden would be in Celeste’s hold. I’d appreciate more gratitude.” 

Cole snarled at Nicolas’ audacity. “You’d appreciate more
gratitude
?”

Hayden shifted, sensing the dangerous change of atmosphere. She didn’t want to see the two brothers start a fight. They had an extremely long road ahead of them.

“Celeste has turned the Hunters against all the werewolves, traditional and rogues alike,” she interrupted sharply. “She’s perfected the serum and has been turning humans into mindless soldiers. Things are changing, Cole. This isn’t about pointing fingers.”

As soon as she said it, she regretted it. Not only would he see her comment as belittlement, but also an attempt to defend Nicolas.

Cole zeroed in on her and Hayden immediately lowered her eyes in submission, slumping her shoulders in apology. “I’m not asking you to forgive him,” she whispered, her words barely heard over the crackling fire. “I’m just asking you to keep an open mind.”

“Open mind,” Cole repeated acidly. “Regarding what, exactly?

Hayden paused, realizing they hadn’t broached the topic of Nicolas’ stipulation.

“We are going to unearth how Xavier and Marie Slayter were involved in the scheme of things, of course.” As usual, Nicolas remained coolly unaffected. “In order for you to believe it, I’m going to have to
show
you evidence. Proof.”

Refusing to acknowledge his brother, Cole kept his eyes on Hayden. “This is what you agreed on? Without me?” He gave a dour laugh, a single bitter bark. “You’d rather spend an unquestionable amount of time with him, as opposed to going back to the pack?”

Hayden shifted, sitting up straighter at the accusation. “You know I’d rather go back to the pack, Cole. But in return for Nicolas’ help, I agreed to—”

“Dig up the past?” Cole interrupted. “The past should remain where it is. If Celeste is as much trouble as you claim she is, we need to get back to the others and focus on the present. We need to collaborate and establish a counter attack.”

Nicolas tipped back his head and laughed coldly. “A counter attack? Don’t be so ignorant, pup. They are too strong. And as much as you think the past is not worth your time, it may be exactly what we need in order to destroy Celeste.”

“Celeste wanted your parents dead, Cole,” Hayden added quietly.

She understood Cole’s insistence to return to the pack. Who knew what Celeste had in mind? Protecting the pack from the unknown would be Cole’s top instinct as Alpha.

On the other hand, Hayden knew the past might hold valuable information. Nicolas seemed to think so. Perhaps he already
knew
the details of the past, but understood the consequences of exposing it without evidence. 

“Their own son wanted them dead, Hayden,” Cole growled out. “There is no point hunting for skeletons. I need and will return to the pack. You are coming with me.”

“I’m staying here.”

The words were out before she could stop them. A small part of her regretted it. After all, what kind of Alpha chose the company of an enemy over her pack?

However, Nicolas thought Cole needed to discover something for himself. And Hayden didn’t want Cole to live the rest of his life, never knowing the full story or the events leading up to his parents’ death.

Or perhaps that very reason was why he wanted to avoid the whole situation. Cole thought highly of his father. If Nicolas were trying to prove otherwise, it would destroy the high shelf Cole constructed for Xavier Slayter’s memory.

The expression he wore was heavy with dark betrayal. Knowing she let him down, it took all of Hayden’s willpower to maintain eye contact. No matter what she
believed
or
assumed
, standing beside Cole should have been her top priority.

But it would mean nothing now if she tried to take back her words.

“Then you will stay with Nicolas, Hayden.”

Without another word, Cole disappeared into the surrounding forest. His gait was slow, yet steadfast. He was not going to turn back around.

Suddenly frantic, Hayden leaped to her feet, a sound of protest at the tip of her tongue. Only, Nicolas snuck up behind her and pressed a palm against her mouth to muffle her cry.

She struggled against his hold, landing a few blows to his abdomen before he simply tackled her to the ground. He used his weight to pin her down, rendering her useless.

“You need to remain firm.” Nicolas dug an elbow into Hayden’s back, pressing her stomach and face into the ground. “He will not leave you. He’ll be following you with his tail between his legs. You are his mate. No matter what he claims, you are most important.”

But she didn’t want it to be like
that
.

She didn’t want to force Cole into this. It would be a strain on their relationship, both as pack mates and as life mates. There was already a barrier between them. Her decision to support Nicolas would only reinforce the distance.