Chapter 344: Conditions (Bonus)
For a brief second, neither of them spoke.
Then, Hayley smiled, but it wasn’t amusement.
It was the kind of smile that only appeared when anger had become so overwhelming it could no longer find another outlet.
She looked him directly in the eyes. "The only Alpha I’ve ever known is dead, and he was the only one worthy of ruling this family."
Silence settled across the corridor and Gaston said nothing.
Hayley took another step forward. "You’re merely usurping that title. One you seem to have forgotten my father defeated you for."
She laughed bitterly.
"And after running away with your tail tucked between your legs, you suddenly return years later and start acting like none of that ever happened."
Gaston’s face visibly twisted. His jaw tightened as he clenched his fist slowly.
That was the one reminder he despised above all else. That despite being the eldest, he had lost to the youngest brother.
Even now, it remained the greatest humiliation of his life.
"Hayley..." Percival stepped forward, reaching for her arm. "That’s enough."
She pulled away immediately. "Let go of me, Percival, I’ve had enough of this."
Her eyes never left Gaston. "We’ve put up with his shit for the last two months because we wanted peace."
She pointed toward the room. "But this...He crossed the line."
Something inside Gaston finally snapped. "Shut your rude, disrespectful mouth, you little girl!"
Percival’s head immediately turned. "Hey! Don’t talk to her like that, Uncle."
Gaston looked between the two siblings before speaking through gritted teeth. "This house was left to me by my late father, it is mine by right."
"And I’ll do with it whatever I please."
His gaze settled on Hayley. "This is an order from your Alpha, you will do as you’re told."
The words had barely left his mouth.
Hayley vanished, like violent blur that shot across the corridor.
BOOM!
Gaston crashed into the wall so hard that heavy cracks spread across it.
His feet dangled above the floor as Hayley’s hand held onto his throat firmly
She had partially transformed. Amber eyes glowed with terrifying intensity as white fur crept across sections of her face.
She stared directly into his eyes.
"It seems, you’re forgetting something." Her grip tightened. "I’m a hundred times stronger than you are."
She leaned closer. "I could squeeze you to death right now."
Gaston struggled, desperately trying to breathe. But despite that, he forced the words out. "Do it...I dare you."
Hayley’s eyes widened. She roared, tightening her grip even further.
Nurisina gasped. Despite her pregnancy, she hurried toward them as quickly as she could.
"Please..." Her voice trembled. "Please...Hayley!"
"Hayley, calm down!" Percival shouted as he cautiously stepped closer.
Then tiny voice echoed through the corridor. "Big sister..."
Phoebe stood quietly outside the bedroom, clutching her stuffed toy tightly.
She looked confused. "Big sister?"
Percival immediately turned, his expression softening as he forced a smile before walking over.
"Hey, Phoebs." He gently picked her up into his arms. "Come on, let’s go somewhere else."
He carried her into one of the nearby rooms, shielding her from the scene behind them.
"...Tch." Hayley clicked her tongue.
She looked once toward Nurisina, then released Gaston’s throat.
He collapsed against the wall, coughing violently while desperately trying to draw breath back into his lungs.
Nurisina hurried to his side immediately, supporting him as he struggled to recover.
Hayley didn’t spare either of them another glance.
She turned and stormed toward the exit.
Jeremy hurried after her. "Hayley!, where are you going?"
She didn’t answer him. And the moment she stepped outside...
BOOM!
The ground beneath her feet cratered as she launched herself into the sky.
She landed hundreds of meters beyond the estate walls, then immediately leapt again.
Another explosion echoed through the distance. Within seconds, she had disappeared from sight.
———
At the Stark Residence
A sharp knock echoed through the front doors.
Ethan, dressed in a simple set of night robes, walked over and pulled the front door open.
Before he could even greet whoever stood outside, Hayley threw herself into him.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist as she buried her face into his chest. "I hate that man..."
Her voice cracked as tears finally escaped.
For a brief second, Ethan simply stood there, caught completely off guard. Then a smile appeared on his face.
He gently rested a hand on the back of her head, slowly stroking her hair.
"I take it you guys fought again." He let out a sigh before lightly patting her shoulder.
"Come on."
He stepped aside, gently guiding her inside before closing the door behind them.
——
A few minutes later...
Ethan returned carrying two glass cups filled with a warm drink.
He handed one across to Hayley before taking a seat, opposite from hers.
She accepted it quietly. "Thank you."
Ethan nodded.
Hayley looked around briefly before asking, "Where’s Isabella?"
"She and Valerie are on their way back." He said
Hayley nodded before lifting the cup to her lips for a small sip.
Silence lingered between them, but eventually, Ethan spoke.
"Soooo, What happened this time?"
Hayley let out a breath before explaining everything.
She spoke about the argument, the confrontation and how close she had come to actually killing him.
When she finished, Ethan slowly exhaled. "The last time you both fought, I remember asking why neither you nor Percival had simply challenged him for the Alpha position."
"You told me it wasn’t nearly as straightforward as it looked."
"But, I hope you realize the longer you and Percival allow him to remain there, the harder this whole situation is going to become."
Hayley stared into her drink. "I know."
She sighed. "It’s just, there are rules and conditions. Until I meet those conditions, I can’t simply challenge him for Alpha."
Ethan tilted his head slightly. "I’m listening."
Hayley placed her cup down onto the table. "The exact rules vary between different packs, but they’ve always existed."
"They’re what prevent leadership disputes from becoming complete chaos."
She paused for a moment, then continued. "For someone to challenge an Alpha, they have to demonstrate continuity."
Ethan frowned. "Continuity?"
Hayley nodded. "Basically, you need to prove that if you become Alpha, the bloodline and leadership can continue after you."
She shrugged lightly. "So, only wolves who already have children, a mate, or a formal betrothal are allowed to issue that challenge."
She gave a tired laugh. "And I don’t fit into any of those, neither does Percival."
"Oh..." Ethan said slowly. "I see."
"Yeah." Hayley murmured.
Silence settled over the room once more.
After a while, Ethan spoke again. "Well, I’m sorry tonight turned out the way it did."
Hayley looked at him for a second before asking, "Can I stay here for a while, Ethan? I really don’t want to go back there."
She lowered her gaze. "I honestly feel like if I do, I’ll end up killing him. And I’m not exactly looking to get banished from my own clan."
Ethan laughed a bit. "Yeah, of course... I mean come on, you’re welcome here anytime"
Hayley managed a smile. "Thank you."
Right then, a car horn sounded outside the manor.
Ethan glanced toward the front windows. "Yep. It’s them. They’re back."
——
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