Beyond the Pack’s Law: My stepsister or nobody else

Aiden’s POV

The letter Hayley held in her hand, its black contents a prophecy of things to come. The biological father, who wanted to visit his girl. This was an unexpected wrinkle, but one that just added to the complexity and crazy nature of our lives.

Hayley was sitting on a couch, and she looked confused, but more or less scared. I went to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Hayley, we’re going to make it through this.”

She stared at me, and her eyes were open wide with confusion. What if… what if he is not who I hope him to be? What if the meeting changes everything?

I dropped to my knees-it was bigger and bulkier than her, at no age in that moment-taller, older, or stronger because she knew me past the bullshit. We will get through this. Whatever occurs, we’ll do it together. You won’t be alone in this.”

She smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Aiden. I do not know what I would have done without you.

“Promise?” I squeezed her hands lightly.

Over the next few days, it was a whirl of getting ready and being excited. Hayley (understandably) was petrified, so I did my best to be there for her. We discussed what she might anticipate learning, how this information justified her association with his biological dad, and what exactly such a thing could mean for the not-too-distant foreseeable future.

The days after the meeting were filled with an exposed nerve of anticipation and dread. We spent hours taking in what had happened to Hayley. We spent hours trying to unpack what it all meant: where we went from here.

One night, while we were all watching TV in the living room, Hayley looked at me with such a determined face. “I need to meet him. I need to know the truth.”

I nodded, and it was then that I realized she needed her own closure. “We’ll go together. You’re not doing this alone.”

The next couple of days were spent gearing up for the meeting. Naturally, Hayley was nervous, and I offered as much reassurance as possible. We discussed what she could hope for, how meeting her biological father made her feel, and the potential impact it would have on who she might be.

One morning, when we were having breakfast, I decided to call Ryan. He had been in Australia dealing with a pack matter, and I was curious about his well-being.

I called his number and waited for him to answer. His voice was heard almost immediately, after a few rings. “Aiden! How are you, mate?”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Hey, Ryan. I’m good. Australia, how is it all going?

“Things are good here. We sorted it out, and I have to fly back there nowadays. How are things on your end?”

I took a quick look at Hayley, drinking her coffee, as she clearly dwelled somewhere entirely different. “Got another line on our dragon thing, sir. She got a letter from her biological father, Matt. He wants to meet.”

Ryan let out a low whistle. “That’s big news. How’s she handling it?”

She’s nervous, of course. Except we are getting through it together. We will meet the Dynasty guy very soon.

I’m here if you need anything, alright? Well, I will be back soon, so if you need a hand, just shout.

“Thanks, Ryan. It means a lot.”

After talking for a few minutes more, we said goodnight. Looking at her curiously, I said that Hayley was beside me. “Ryan sends his support. He’ll be back in a few days.”

A look of pensive thought crossed her face, and she nodded. I am glad to know we have friends willing to lend a hand.

“100%.” I reached over and grabbed her hand as it rested on the table. “We’re not alone in this.”

The day of the meeting came sooner than we realized. The morning passed in a whirlwind of last-minute preparations. The two of us dressed thoughtfully, partly to look our best but also in order to feel good and natural. Hayley wore an effortlessly beautiful dress that complimented her natural beauty, and I kept it smart and casual.

The address given in the letter for us to meet was a part of town that I had never driven before, and as we made our way towards it, each minute closer seemed like a couple hours-in another life.

Marcus released a slow breath, watching her walk into the dusk. “You’ve done well, Aiden.”

The next thing I said was, “She’s awesome all by herself.” ” Thank God, I was just fortunate enough to be along for the ride with her.

Marcus frowned a bit, considering. “You’re a good man, Aiden. I can see why her trust in you makes so much sense.

We were beginning to bond, I told myself. “Thank you,” I said.

It was dusk and getting cold by the time Hayley came back. And she relaxed into her seat, reignited by conviction.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and continued with a more steady tone, “What else do we know? I Sound Like a Brat: I Want to Know Everything.

A smile spread across Marcus’ face, a giddy speech of relief and pride in his eyes. “And you will, Hayley. I promise you that.”

The night ended with us planning to meet again, talk more, and learn more about the pastret spam that was formed. This was only the beginning, and there were tricks left up its sleeve, but we had started to uncover the basics of a bridge between worlds lost in time.

He showed us to the door, also with a grin on his face. “Thank you for believing in me,” he apologized with every genuine intent. “I won’t let you down.”

Hayley’s eyes met his, and she sent Peter a look that told him everything. “I believe you.”

Then, with one more parting wish of goodnight, we ventured outside and into the welcoming winter air. On the walk back to her car, Hayley emanated a certain joyousness I had not seen from her before.

“How are you feeling?” I inquired as I hopped into the driver’s chair and spun to look at her.

She inhaled deeply, her eyes reflecting many emotions. “Hopeful. Scared. But mostly, I was relieved. It’s like a breath of fresh air.

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. One day at a time. You don’t have to do this alone.

Her smile, you could feel down to your toes. “I know. And that changes everything.

So what if the road ahead still seemed arduous as we pulled back onto the two-lane strip away from that cabin? There would be other questions to answer and more challenges ahead, but we were moving forward together, stronger than ever.

We rode home in silence, each alone with our thoughts. It was not easy; the meeting with Marcus had been intense, but it also made room for new possibilities. A way for Hayley to reach into her own history, which has always been so shrouded in mystery.

Coming back to our home felt like coming back into a sanctuary where we could process everything that had happened. The living room felt safe and comforting as we took our seats.

Want to talk about it? Want me to keep the kids occupied for a bit when we get back?” I asked, feeling that Hayley could use some down time.

She gestured for me to have a seat, then snuggled on the couch underneath her blanket. That is a ton of food for thought. And relieved, mostly just relieved. Just like a part of me that never existed has been discovered,.

I took a seat beside her, reaching over to put my arm around her. “It’s a lot to take in. And you were so graceful about it. I’m so proud of you.”

Then she leans against me, her head on my shoulder. “Thank you, Aiden. For everything. What a day it was today… I’m not sure what I would’ve done without you.

I kissed her forehead. “You’ll never have to find out.”

There were a few moments of silence that felt comfortable, and the weight we were feeling probably lifted. We still had a long way to go, but for the time being, we were right where we should be-with each other.

As the night deepened, we discussed our dreams and what life would mean. It was an effortless conversation because our connection is so undeniable. We may have been faced with adversities over the years, but they all would (and did) pale in comparison to not having each other.

We were finally worn out from the day and went to bed. My heart was so lifted as we retired for bed. Words had come between us, but we also took a big step forward to the future, in which stood two equal new beginnings.

In our bed, I felt Hayley’s body nestled up to me, her warm breath on the nape of my neck, and I was reminded that this love right here is real. “Goodnight, Aiden,” she hummed softly.

Feeling hope as we laid down that evening to sleep. There were tough times ahead, that was for sure, but now I had Hayley with me, and we could do anything together. By our powers combined!

So, as dawn came up behind those heavy draperies in that room on The Hilltop an hour later or more and I had all of this fall into place for me suddenly, I couldn’t help but embrace whatever lay out there.

Just as we were on the brink of drifting into sleep, a sudden knock at the door rang out, and now we wanted to know who would be banging away all night.