Chapter 83 Separate Ways
Hayden
Phoebe’s body went limp in my arms.
For a second, time just… stopped.
“Phoebe!” My voice cracked as I looked at her pale face. Her breathing was shallow—barely there. Tyra’s panicked voice echoed behind me, followed by the rush of footsteps calling for the medics.
But I couldn’t think about anything else except one thing:
What the hell happened to her?
Minutes later, Phoebe was already in the medical room backstage.
I paced outside, restless. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking—not from fear, but guilt that burned like acid in my chest.
I should’ve been there for her. I should’ve protected her.
Tyra appeared with a worried face.
“How is she?” I asked immediately.
“She’s still unconscious,” she said, guilt filling her tone. “She was totally fine earlier, Hayden. I swear. She had breakfast, joked around with me on the way here—and during the match, she was actually happy. She cheered for your win.”
My brows furrowed. “Then why did she suddenly collapse?”
Tyra bit her lip. “We… ran into Lily outside the players’ lounge. She was taking pictures of you guys in secret.”
Just hearing that name was enough to make my blood boil. “What?”
“They argued a little. Phoebe tried to ignore her, but Lily—”
“But Lily just had to be herself,” I cut her off sharply.
Tyra nodded slowly. “Phoebe kept it together, but I could tell she was upset. After that, she went quiet. I thought she was just tired.”
I stared at the cold tiles beneath my feet, fury and fear twisting together inside me.
Before I could get a grip on my thoughts, a familiar deep voice came from behind.
“Lily again?”
I turned around. Adonis stood there, fists clenched, eyes burning red with anger.
“I told you, Hayden. That girl can’t be left unchecked. You know Phoebe’s not in the best mental state right now.”
I swallowed hard. “I know.”
“If you’re not going to deal with her,” he said in a low, dangerous tone, “then I will. And if I step in… it won’t end peacefully. Your pack’s name will get dragged into it.”
My jaw tightened. “You don’t have to. I’ll handle this.”
Adonis stepped closer, gripping my shoulder firmly. “You know what you need to do. And you know what we’ll do if you don’t.”
I did know. Too damn well.
I told Finley to stay with Phoebe. He nodded without asking questions. Then I walked out of the venue, every step heavier than the last.
The evening air bit at my skin, but the chill didn’t matter. There was fire in my chest—and it demanded to be fed.
It was time.
The Silver Claw pack loomed in the distance, standing tall amid the northern woods as snowflakes began to fall.
When I entered the grounds, a few pack members bowed in respect—but I could see the way they immediately backed away. They could feel it.
The anger radiating off me was enough to shake the ground.
I found Lily in the training yard, chatting and laughing with a few female wolves like she hadn’t done a damn thing wrong.
“Lily!” I shouted.
She turned, startled for a second before flashing that fake sweet smile. “Hayden. You’re back.”
I strode toward her, voice cold and sharp. “What did you say to Phoebe earlier?”
She arched an eyebrow, pretending to be innocent.
“Oh, is this about her again? I only told her the truth. If she can’t handle that, it’s not my problem.”
I scoffed. “You know damn well she’s my mate. And you keep messing with her.”
Lily’s smile twisted. “I’m the one who got hurt first, Hayden. Did you forget? You broke off our engagement for some outsider. Everyone in this pack knows what that means—for my family, for me.”
My jaw clenched. “You don’t get to twist the story like that.”
She smirked. “Oh, please. Everyone in Silver Claw knows who the real victim is.”
My vision blurred red. My breath came out ragged. I could feel my wolf clawing beneath my skin, desperate to surface. My fangs extended, aura flaring so violently that even the air trembled.
“Enough!” I roared. “If you ever come near Phoebe again, I swear I’ll tear you apart.”
Then came that familiar deep voice again—one that froze me where I stood.
“Enough, Hayden.”
I turned.
My father—Alpha Truman—stood at the top of the stairs in his black coat, eyes like sharp steel.
“You will not attack a member of your own pack,” he said sternly.
“She provoked me! She insulted my mate!” I shouted back.
“Your mate isn’t one of us. She’s not part of Silver Claw.”
“She’s part of me,” I growled.
Whispers spread around us as pack members gathered, watching. I knew this shouldn’t become a scene—but it was too late for reason.
“Father, she’s gone too far. I want her out of this pack.”
Alpha Truman lifted his chin. “If you can’t control yourself, maybe you’re the one who should leave.”
His words hit me like a blow.
I stepped closer. “So because of Phoebe, you think I’m not worthy to be your son anymore?”
His eyes hardened. “You’re not the same boy you used to be. You’ve grown weak. Defiant. And it’s all because of her.”
My blood boiled. Dad threw off his coat, his body trembling with power. I knew what that meant—he was ready to challenge me.
But before either of us could move, a desperate cry sliced through the air.
“Stop it! Please—both of you!”
My mother, Luna Meredith, stood between us, tears streaming down her face.
“Are you two really going to kill each other? You’re family!”
“Mom—”
“If you keep this up,” she said in a shaky voice, “then I’ll be the one to leave Silver Claw.”
The entire courtyard fell silent. Even the wind stopped.
I stared at her, my chest tightening. I couldn’t let her walk away because of me.
Taking a deep breath, I said softly, “No, Mom. You don’t have to go.”
I turned to my father one last time. “I’m the one who’ll leave.”
“Hayden, please…” Mom sobbed.
I held her hand, kissed the back of it. “I have to, Mom. I can’t stay in a place that hates the woman I love.”
Then I faced Lily. “And you—if you ever lay a finger on Phoebe again, I swear I’ll challenge you under the full moon. I don’t care whose laws I break.”
Lily stepped back, her face pale.
I looked at my father once more. “From this moment on, I sever my blood bond with Silver Claw.”
He didn’t answer. His jaw was tight, but I saw something flicker in his eyes—maybe regret, maybe pride he refused to admit.
I bowed my head to my mother. “Take care of yourself, Mom. I’m leaving… because Dad and I will never see eye to eye. This is what’s best.”
Then I turned away and walked out of the Silver Claw grounds without looking back.
The night air hit my face—cold, yet strangely freeing.
Behind me, I could hear my mother crying, and my father trying to reach me through the mind link.
“I, Hayden Grey, cut my blood bond with Silver Claw, starting now.”
And as I stepped into the dark, only one name echoed in my chest—
Phoebe—for her, I’d give up everything.