Always and Forever (The Hybrid and The Wolf - Book 7)

Chapter 6 - What, Will, I, Have, Left

Greta knocks on Antoinette's apartment door.

Antoinette opens the door. "Mother. What happened to you?"

"The path to redemption is long and winding," Greta said, looking at her. "But worthy."

Elijah walked closer.

Greta looked at him. "Elijah, yes? What a pleasure it is to finally meet you."

"And you," Elijah told her, looking from her to Greta. "Have you seen Hayley?"

"Hayley?" Antoinette repeated. 

"She left to go find her sister, but I found her bag abandoned outside the bar," Elijah explained. "I fear something may have happened to her."

Antoinette and Greta exchanged a look.

~*~*~

Hayley woke up tied to a chair inside an abandoned house, she tried to break the ropes binding her but her strength was weakened due to the wolfsbane in her system.

Nina was sitting next to her, also tied up. "Hayley . . ."

Hayley turned to look at her friend in shock. "Nina?"

"I would say it's good to see you, but given the circumstances . . ." Nina trailed off.

"What is this place?" Hayley asked. "What are we doing here?"

"I know why I'm here," Nina told her. "But I'm guessing they brought you here as incentive."

Hayley looked at her in confusion. "Incentive for what?" 

Nina looked at Hayley, sighing.

~*~*~

Roman was driving his car down a road at night, Kenner was asleep in the back seat while Hope sat next to Roman, looking through the playlist on his phone.

Hope chuckled. "Okay, I knew your hair had emo tendencies, but your music?"

"Shade thrown and caught," Roman said as he took his phone from her. Hope laughed. "Give me that. Quit judging and lean in."

Roman raised his phone to take a picture.

"No, I'll do it," Hope told him, grabbing his phone and taking a selfie of them together. "My mom would kill us if she knew that we were taking selfies and driving, especially with Kenner in the car. Though compared to binding my werewolf side, I'd just say it's just a demeanor."

"You nervous?" Roman asked.

"My Aunt Freya basically said that my brother and I'd regret it for the rest of our lives," Hope answered. "And from what I've read in my dad's journals, it's horrible. So, you know, actually kind of terrified. For both of us."

Hope turned to look at Kenner.

"Well, you said you feel like a freak," Roman told her. "I don't know, maybe this will help."

"Still, it's--it's strange cutting out a part of yourself that you barely even know," Hope replied.

"So, you won't miss it," Roman said. "Anyway, you'll still be you."

"Doesn't matter," Hope told him. "'Cause I'm doing it and so is Kenner. We're both stubborn. Mom says it's a family trait."

"You know, your mom should be proud of you," Roman replied.