DARRYL My head throbbed. Katrina’s words echoed in my mind: “Choose me as your mate, and Hazel will be spared.” the thought of Hazel in danger, surrounded by those resentful wolves… it made my blood run cold.Finding Amy wasn’t easy. I checked all her usual haunts – the library, the art room, even the empty classrooms where she sometimes went to escape the noise. But she was nowhere to be found. Finally, I picked up her scent, leading me to a quiet corner of the courtyard. She was sitting on a bench, her shoulders slumped, her gaze fixed on the ground.As soon as she raised her head and saw me, her eyes widened with fear. She scrambled to her feet, her body tense like she was ready to run. I understood. After what I’d done yesterday, the display of raw power and aggression, she had every right to be scared.“Amy,” I said softly, holding up my hands in a gesture of peace. “It’s okay. I’m not here to hurt you. You’re safe.”She still looked terrified, her eyes darting nervously around
HAZELI sat cross-legged on Amy's bed, watching her rummage through her closet without any real enthusiasm. Something was off. Usually, when we had plans to go anywhere, Amy would spend hours picking out the perfect outfit - not just for herself, but for me too. She'd always tease me about my oversized sweaters and baggy jeans, trying to convince me to wear something more "fashion-forward."But today? Nothing."What about this?" I held up a sparkly top that Amy had tried to make me wear at least a dozen times before.She barely glanced at it. "Wear whatever you want, Hazel. It doesn't really matter."I let the top fall back onto the bed, studying my best friend carefully. "Okay, what's going on with you?""What do you mean?" She wouldn't meet my eyes."Since when do you not care about what I wear? And don't think I didn't notice you talking to Darryl earlier." The memory of seeing them in the courtyard flashed through my mind. They'd both looked so serious, and Amy had seemed almost s
HAZELI paced around the room, examining every possible exit. The windows were securely boarded up, and the door was solid metal. But there had to be a way out. I refused to just sit here while everyone else was keeping secrets from me.My eyes landed on the ventilation shaft near the ceiling. It was old and rusty, but it looked big enough for me to squeeze through. I dragged one of the chairs over, testing its stability. The metal creaked under my weight as I climbed up.The vent cover was secured with four screws. I dug through my pockets, finding a bobby pin that might work as a screwdriver. As I worked on the first screw, I noticed something strange – it felt like the metal was bending under my fingers far more easily than it should. I'd always been strong, sure, but this felt different. The screws practically crumbled away at my touch.I chose not to dwell on it. One more mystery to add to the growing pile.The vent cover came loose with a satisfying clang. I pulled myself up, su
DARRYLI stared at my phone, reading Lucian's text for the hundredth time: "Don't worry, I've got this handled. Trust me."Trust. Such a simple word, yet everything hinged on it tonight. My fingers hovered over another message, this one from Amy: "I'll help keep her away. I promise." Her sudden change of heart puzzled me – just yesterday she'd been too terrified to even consider defying Katrina. What had changed?Running a hand through my hair, I dialed the pack guards. They needed to be in position before the party started. The phone rang twice before someone picked up."Alpha heir," a gruff voice answered."I need guards stationed at every entrance," I ordered. "No one gets in without thorough checking."There was a pause, then an awkward clearing of throat. "Sir... Katrina has already arranged security. Her father's personal guards will be handling the guest list."My grip tightened on the phone. "I don't care what Katrina arranged. I'm your future Alpha—""Marcus and Will are alre
HAZELThe mansion was incredible, all sweeping marble staircases and crystal chandeliers, like something out of a fairy tale. Music pulsed through the air as I slipped inside, trying to look like I belonged. The foyer was packed with people, all of them dressed far more elegantly than me in my simple sweater and jeans.I barely made it ten steps before a familiar voice cut through the noise."Hazel! You actually came!"Katrina came in front of me, looking gorgeous in a deep silver dress that seemed to catch every bit of light in the room. Her smile was dazzling, but something about it made my skin crawl."I wouldn't miss your invitation," I said, keeping my voice steady. "After all, you made such a point of giving it to me.""I was beginning to think you wouldn't show." Katrina stepped closer, her perfume overwhelming. "The party was getting so boring without you."Before I could react, she pulled me into a hug. I stiffened, caught off guard by the unexpected display of affection. Her
HAZEL"Let go of me!" I yanked my arm from Darryl's grip, but he only held on tighter, his eyes wild with an urgency I'd never seen before."Hazel, please," he begged and leaned in closer."You have no idea what's really happening here. We need to leave. Now.""No." I planted my feet firmly, meeting his gaze. "I'm tired of being kept in the dark. First my friends lock me up, and now you're acting like being at a party is somehow life-threatening. What aren't you telling me?"His eyes darted around the room, tracking movements I couldn't quite follow. "Hazel, please. I promise I'll explain everything, but right now we need to—""Explain everything?" I cut him off. "Like you explained why my dad suddenly hates you? Or why everyone in this town treats me like I'm made of glass? I'm done with half-truths and secrets!"He stepped closer and whispered. "You're right. You deserve the truth. I should have told you long ago about what I—about what we—""ATTENTION EVERYONE!" Katrina's voice boom
HAZEL The silence after the kiss was deafening. I sank back into my seat beside Lucian, my lips still burning, but not from the kiss- from shame. That growl I'd heard... it had come from Darryl. I glanced at him now, and my breath caught. His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides, and for a moment, I could have sworn I saw something sharp protruding from his fingertips. I blinked, and it was gone. Must be the dim lighting playing tricks on my eyes."Well, wasn't that sweet?" Katrina's voice cut the silence. "Young love... or is it just desperation? Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference when someone's been abandoned so many times."I saw Darryl's shoulders tense."Now, where were we?" Katrina surveyed the room like a queen on her throne. "Oh yes, my turn."Bethany stepped forward. "Katrina, truth: What exactly happened between you and Darryl last summer at the lake house?"My stomach clenched unexpectedly as Katrina's lips curved into a smile. "Oh, that night?" She si
DARRYLMy claws threatened to break through as I watched Lucian kiss my mate. Shadow, my wolf, was in a frenzy, demanding retribution. That kiss wasn't just a dare – it held too much desperation, too much intensity. My fingers dug into my palms, drawing blood as I fought to maintain control.'OURS,' Shadow snarled within me. 'He dared touch what's OURS.'I could still smell Lucian's scent on her, could see the slight flush on her cheeks, and it was driving me insane. The metallic scent of my own blood helped ground me, but barely. Then Katrina's dare to Hazel cut through my rage like a knife.A swim. In her underwear.I almost laughed. If Katrina thought this would break Hazel, she didn't know her at all. My Hazel would never—The sound of clothes hitting the floor silenced every thought in my head.My heart stopped as Hazel turned around. The curves she'd always hidden under baggy clothes were now on full display, and my wolf went absolutely still. This wasn't the awkward teenage gir
DARRYL The arrow burned in my back like fire, Wolfsbane. The poison spread through my veins, making my vision blur. I stumbled against a tree, my claws digging into the bark as I fought to stay conscious.Shadow thrashed inside me, our shared pain even amplified by the rejection bond we'd been forced to make. The words still echoed in my mind: "I reject you, Hazel LièRén..." But even through the rejection, I could feel her. The bond wasn't completely severed, it shouldn't be possible but I could sense her terror, her confusion and her pain. Something was wrong. Very wrong.My muscles screamed as I reached behind me, fingers wrapping around the arrow's shaft. With a growl, I yanked it out. Blood poured from the wound, but I could already feel my enhanced healing kicking in, knitting the flesh back together.The arrow clattered to the ground and the wolfsbane made my skin sizzle where it touched, but the poison was already being pushed out of my system. Perks of being an Alpha – we he
HAZEL "What do you mean, you're not human?" My voice came out steadier than I felt.Darryl ran a hand through his hair, a gesture so familiar it almost made this surreal moment feel normal. "Not entirely, at least. I'm... different.""Different how?" I crossed my arms. "Stop being cryptic and just tell me straight."He took a deep breath, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made me shiver. "I'm a werewolf, Hazel."A laugh burst from my lips before I could stop it – sharp. "A werewolf? Really? That's what you're going with?""Think about it," he said quietly. "Everything you've seen. Everything that doesn't make sense."And suddenly, like pieces of a puzzle clicking into place, memories began flooding back. The day I returned to town – his eyes had been different, hadn't they? Not just older, but somehow altered from the warm brown I remembered from childhood. They had gleamed with something wild, something inhuman.Mr. Thompson's mythology lecture crashed into my thoughts ne
HAZELMy lungs burned as I collapsed to my knees, the purple smoke thick around me. Each breath felt like swallowing fire, but beneath the pain, something else stirred like a familiar sensation I hadn't felt since losing my necklace.Power coursedthrough my veins like lightning.Strange whispers filled my head, echoing from somewhere below. They weren't words exactly, more like feelings, urging me to embrace whatever was awakening inside me. My skin tingled, every nerve ending alive with an energy I couldn't explain.Then the pain hit, not from the smoke, but from deep within. It felt like something was being torn away, like a piece of my soul was being ripped out. I doubled over, gasping, tears streaming down my face. Through the haze of agony, one thought crystallized: I had to get out.I forced myself to stand, swaying as the room spun around me. The smoke seemed to pulse now, almost alive, but instead of choking me, it felt like it was being absorbed into my skin. The whispers gre
DARRYLMy claws threatened to break through as I watched Lucian kiss my mate. Shadow, my wolf, was in a frenzy, demanding retribution. That kiss wasn't just a dare – it held too much desperation, too much intensity. My fingers dug into my palms, drawing blood as I fought to maintain control.'OURS,' Shadow snarled within me. 'He dared touch what's OURS.'I could still smell Lucian's scent on her, could see the slight flush on her cheeks, and it was driving me insane. The metallic scent of my own blood helped ground me, but barely. Then Katrina's dare to Hazel cut through my rage like a knife.A swim. In her underwear.I almost laughed. If Katrina thought this would break Hazel, she didn't know her at all. My Hazel would never—The sound of clothes hitting the floor silenced every thought in my head.My heart stopped as Hazel turned around. The curves she'd always hidden under baggy clothes were now on full display, and my wolf went absolutely still. This wasn't the awkward teenage gir
HAZEL The silence after the kiss was deafening. I sank back into my seat beside Lucian, my lips still burning, but not from the kiss- from shame. That growl I'd heard... it had come from Darryl. I glanced at him now, and my breath caught. His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides, and for a moment, I could have sworn I saw something sharp protruding from his fingertips. I blinked, and it was gone. Must be the dim lighting playing tricks on my eyes."Well, wasn't that sweet?" Katrina's voice cut the silence. "Young love... or is it just desperation? Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference when someone's been abandoned so many times."I saw Darryl's shoulders tense."Now, where were we?" Katrina surveyed the room like a queen on her throne. "Oh yes, my turn."Bethany stepped forward. "Katrina, truth: What exactly happened between you and Darryl last summer at the lake house?"My stomach clenched unexpectedly as Katrina's lips curved into a smile. "Oh, that night?" She si
HAZEL"Let go of me!" I yanked my arm from Darryl's grip, but he only held on tighter, his eyes wild with an urgency I'd never seen before."Hazel, please," he begged and leaned in closer."You have no idea what's really happening here. We need to leave. Now.""No." I planted my feet firmly, meeting his gaze. "I'm tired of being kept in the dark. First my friends lock me up, and now you're acting like being at a party is somehow life-threatening. What aren't you telling me?"His eyes darted around the room, tracking movements I couldn't quite follow. "Hazel, please. I promise I'll explain everything, but right now we need to—""Explain everything?" I cut him off. "Like you explained why my dad suddenly hates you? Or why everyone in this town treats me like I'm made of glass? I'm done with half-truths and secrets!"He stepped closer and whispered. "You're right. You deserve the truth. I should have told you long ago about what I—about what we—""ATTENTION EVERYONE!" Katrina's voice boom
HAZELThe mansion was incredible, all sweeping marble staircases and crystal chandeliers, like something out of a fairy tale. Music pulsed through the air as I slipped inside, trying to look like I belonged. The foyer was packed with people, all of them dressed far more elegantly than me in my simple sweater and jeans.I barely made it ten steps before a familiar voice cut through the noise."Hazel! You actually came!"Katrina came in front of me, looking gorgeous in a deep silver dress that seemed to catch every bit of light in the room. Her smile was dazzling, but something about it made my skin crawl."I wouldn't miss your invitation," I said, keeping my voice steady. "After all, you made such a point of giving it to me.""I was beginning to think you wouldn't show." Katrina stepped closer, her perfume overwhelming. "The party was getting so boring without you."Before I could react, she pulled me into a hug. I stiffened, caught off guard by the unexpected display of affection. Her
DARRYLI stared at my phone, reading Lucian's text for the hundredth time: "Don't worry, I've got this handled. Trust me."Trust. Such a simple word, yet everything hinged on it tonight. My fingers hovered over another message, this one from Amy: "I'll help keep her away. I promise." Her sudden change of heart puzzled me – just yesterday she'd been too terrified to even consider defying Katrina. What had changed?Running a hand through my hair, I dialed the pack guards. They needed to be in position before the party started. The phone rang twice before someone picked up."Alpha heir," a gruff voice answered."I need guards stationed at every entrance," I ordered. "No one gets in without thorough checking."There was a pause, then an awkward clearing of throat. "Sir... Katrina has already arranged security. Her father's personal guards will be handling the guest list."My grip tightened on the phone. "I don't care what Katrina arranged. I'm your future Alpha—""Marcus and Will are alre
HAZELI paced around the room, examining every possible exit. The windows were securely boarded up, and the door was solid metal. But there had to be a way out. I refused to just sit here while everyone else was keeping secrets from me.My eyes landed on the ventilation shaft near the ceiling. It was old and rusty, but it looked big enough for me to squeeze through. I dragged one of the chairs over, testing its stability. The metal creaked under my weight as I climbed up.The vent cover was secured with four screws. I dug through my pockets, finding a bobby pin that might work as a screwdriver. As I worked on the first screw, I noticed something strange – it felt like the metal was bending under my fingers far more easily than it should. I'd always been strong, sure, but this felt different. The screws practically crumbled away at my touch.I chose not to dwell on it. One more mystery to add to the growing pile.The vent cover came loose with a satisfying clang. I pulled myself up, su