CHAPTER 11

    HAZEL'S POV:

    I feel my blood turn cold when people only acknowledge Onyx without even looking at my side. They probably think I'm his Luna's maid. 

    "See why I told you not to talk to anyone?"

    "It's not my fault."

    "Whose is it, then?" Onyx as and looks at me sternly. 

    "Your fault. I understand that you hate me but I think it is absolutely ridiculous that you would bring me to such an event dressed in this manner,"

    We were walking towards some people who were in a group, talking and laughing over drinks but he stopped and looked around before glaring down at me. "Did you think I wanted to bring you here with me? Do you know how embarrassed I am right now, standing with you?"

    What he says tears my heart apart but I have to be strong enough so I don't break down in front of everyone. "I know. But this would have been avoided if I had dressed properly. You should learn how to cover your shame in public and since I am your shame, you should have done the right thing by making me dress properly."

    Onyx sighs and turns to look at the people at the other side. One of them raises their drink to him in greetings and he nods in reply. 

    "Well, the mistake has been made. Learn to shut the hell up," Onyx then pulls me to the corner where no one is. We're standing behind a column. 

    "Stay here. I don't want anyone seeing you and I'm sure you don't want that, too. You wouldn't be too happy with people talking about how poorly dressed you were, would you?"

    "I think you're only trying to protect yourself from such rumors but it's okay,"

    If no one had been here, his next reaction would have been to slap me but he does nothing and instead, turns to walk away.

    As soon as he is gone, I lean against the column and heave a sigh of relief. At least, I can be left alone for a while. No instructions, glares or threats. I can be who I want. This is a privilege I rarely get and I'm so happy.

    Turning, I survey the building behind me. I'm sure Onyx wouldn't want me out in the open, before crowded people and there's a flight of stairs that leads several stories up. 

    I am captured by curiosity as I remember how it has made me and my brother plunge deep into caves and forest in search of nothing.

    So looking around, I see that no one is even coming in this direction so I walk to the steps and grab onto the wooden banister before making my way up the stairs..

    These stairs are ornate and the walls close by have windows that let light pour through them. I can see outside of the building from here and it's a very large garden. Whoever cultivated this garden had artistic skills because how could anyone create a maze of colorful flowers arranged in beautiful patterns. I stop for a while to admire the bushes before letting my security lead me up the staircase again.

    Each flight leads to a room and I know I dare not step into one of the halls. Anything can happen and I'll be punished by Onyx. 

    "You seem to be enjoying your slow ascent up the building," A voice comes from above. 

    Immediately, I look up to see a man dressed in a long black coat and black slacks. I can't really see his face because he has a hat on but I can see his well defined jaw and I know he's really tall.

    What if he's some sort of guard and would have her punished? I began to tremble as I thought of ways to go back downstairs. "I'm really sorry. I didn't come here to take anything. I just wanted to wonder about for a bit,"

    "I can give you a tour." The man says and shrugs "That's if you want,"

    I don't believe a word he says. He's probably an assassin. But do I even care? My life seems worthless right now and I'd rather die by the hand of an assassin than by Onyx's hands. "Are you for real?"

    The man nods and takes off his cap. That's when I saw his real face. He's a handsome man with dirty blond hair and it's tied to the back of his hair so I know he has a lot of hair. I don't know who he is and I've never seen him before nor do I know what pack he's from.

    I think he sees my doubt. "Trust me."

    

    

    ONYX'S POV:

    

    I felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders when I disposed of Hazel off. Now, I can familiarize myself with everyone without bothering about a certain woman who's not dressed properly.

    I wonder how intense the stares must have been if I had let her walk around with me. 

    "Onyx, he's the one!"

    I turn to a familiar looking lady pointing at me with her fancy hand fan. She's really beautiful. So I would have just carried Hazel in my arms while this beautiful woman called me? At this point, I feel really smart for actually disposing her off. 

    I don't really remember this lady but I want to talk to her so I walk towards where she's standing with her friends. "And who might you beautiful lady be?"

    "You don't remember me?" The lady asks as she draws closer to me. She's really buxom with beautiful features. Something I'd love to have to have for the night. 

    "No, I don't. Pardon me. Can you refresh my memory for a bit?"

    "We met at the Festival Of The Lunatic last year. Then, your father was still Alpha and we met by the popcorn stand and talked for a while,"

    "I still can't recollect. Try harder?"

    "Marshmallows are overrated?" She says while smiling and hoping I'd actually remember when I said that.

    Then it clicked. Memories from last year came rushing back and I remembered. "Cara!"

    She beamed. "Of course, it's me!"

    He pulled her into a hug, holding her tight and when they finally pulled away, they were all smiles. "I thought I was never going to see you again,"

    "So did I," I lied. Because I know that the moment she left, I totally forgot about her. But well, I want something from her so I'm acting this way.

    "Who are you here with, though?" I ask as I grab two cups of drink from the tray of AJ usher passing by us. I had one over on her. "I don't remember you being from royalty,"

    Cara nods. "Yes, I wasn't. My mate is the Alpha of Crescent Moon pack,"

    "Tyler," I nod.  Tyler is a no nonsense man and I don't think he'd take it likely with me if he caught me flirting with his Luna.i have to take a step back. "Send my regards to him, okay?" 

    "You're going to see him in the meeting anyway,"

    Just as Cara said that, a bell rang to catch everyone's attention.

    "The meeting is about to start now. Everyone should come into the great room where it'll be heard,"

    As soon as I hear it, I go in search of Luna. I know I can't go in without my Luna as she is like my ticket to the meeting. 

    But when I got to the corner I asked her to stay, I didn't find her there. "Shit!"

    I feel anger swell through me as I take the flight of stairs. She's going to regret ever leaving that place I put her in. I had asked her to wait for a reason and now she's gone to God knows where.

    I have to find her before the door is closed. I'd be really angry if I didn't. 

    I can even feel anger swelling through my soul as I take the flight if steps. I don't want to yell her name as it is going to cause attention to shift to us. 

    "She better fucking be somewhere I can see her or she'd be strangled to death. I hate my order being defied."

    Taking the second to the last flight of stairs, I hear voices. Two. That of a man and that of a woman and the woman's own sounds familiar. Perking my ears up, I follow the sound only for me to be led to the corridor of one of the wings in this palace. 

    "I have always loved the sunset. I used to draw it as a young boy and my parents never really liked it,"

    I stood there, watching for a while. Heyli looks really happy and that alone makes me boil. "I think sunsets are beautiful, too."

    "Should I show you somewhere you might like?"

    That is when I decide to step in. "No, you will not,"

    Hazel looks at me in horror. She staggers backwards but I immediately pull her by the hand before glaring at the man standing before me.

    "Fuck off."

    Then I begin to pull Hazel harshly. 

    "You're going to be punished for this."