CHAPTER 12

    HAZEL'S POV;

    "My name's Kylian," The man says as I go to stand beside him. 

    I nod. "Hazel. That's my name," I say shyly. Kylian is so handsome and somehow, I love how his hair falls to his shoulders. His eyes are the greens of the forest and they hold nothing but softness. 

    Coming to stand before me, I can see that he towers above me and somehow, it gives me a sense of security. He looks like someone that would be able to protect me from all sorts of evil. Onyx included. 

    "So, why are you here? You should be downstairs with the royals, right?"

    Sighing, I look at him, contemplating if I should tell him why I am here wondering and trying not to die of boredom. "Well, someone does not want me there,"

    Kylian raises a brow in confusion. "Why?"

    "Well, according to them, I am not dressed well and would be a source of embarrassment to him before the other women,"

    "That's unnice, I must say. Who's that by the way?"

    I hang my head. I don't think I can tell him it's my husband and mate. I'm too ashamed to say it because I'm sure he's going to see me in another light and I don't want that.

    "I don't think I can mention their name," I say in reply then change topics immediately. "You said you were going to give me a tour around the place, didn't you?"

    Kylian nods but I can still see the look of curiosity in his eyes. He shrugs it off. "This is my home. My father, the current Alpha of Zelda Pack is in the meeting,"

    "Why didn't you join them? You're supposed to be there as the heir apparent,"

    "I don't really like those types of meetings. Don't catch my fancy."

    I laugh. "That's quite new. Every heir is crazy about things like these,"

    "Well, I am not an heir. I have a twin brother and he's suitable for that position perfectly well. He knows it's not my thing so he doesn't bother calling me to attend,"

    I nod in understanding as we walk through the gallery into the corridor. This corridor is different from the others as it has a balcony. I can see the skies from where I'm standing and below is a fountain surrounded by cobble stones.

    "My father's best place in the palace is this balcony. It gives him easy access to the library and his study," Kylian says and gestures to the doors behind him. "And he's also able to watch the sunset from here, too"

    "Wow, sunsets. It's been a while since I watched them."

      "I have always loved the sunset. I used to draw it as a young boy and my parents never really liked it," Kylian says as we stare at the afternoon skies. 

    "They don't like you drawing, yes?"

    Kylian nods. "They're so beautiful. I don't think I can help not drawing it. So I never really listened to them,"

    I chuckle. "I think sunsets are beautiful, too."

    "Should I show you somewhere you might like?" Kylian asks with a smile on his face. He has a really beautiful smile and I feel drawn to it. 

    "No, you will not," A harsh and angry voice comes in

    I immediately turn at the sound of the voice, recognizing who it is immediately. My heart sinks and I look at Onyx in horror. He's really angry and I can see it in his eyes. I have disobeyed him and that means serious punishment. Kylian is looking really confused but he doesn't say anything yet. 

    I stagger backwards. Onyx stalks towards me and immediately pull me by the hand roughly before glaring at the Kylian.

    "You didn't have to pull her that harshly, you know?"

    "Fuck off." Onyx growls. 

    He begins to pull me away harshly. 

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

    "What wrong did I do?"

    We're already standing in the middle of the staircase when he stops. "You're really asking me this question?"

    "Yes. You left me alone and lonely behind that column. I couldn't stand there for too long. I had to move around to work my legs and now you're mad at me for going upstairs where no one can see me,"

    "And why the fuck were you standing with Kylian and talking about the fucking sunset!"

    "Because he was ready to listen to me and he didn't treat me like trash. He acknowledged my existence and listened to me and also offered to show me around,"

    "But I asked you to stay behind the porch, didn't I? Why the fuck did you leave?"

    "I already explained,"

    Onyx grabs me roughly by the chin and I wince at the harshness of his hold. "You like him, don't you? You think he's good looking and he's nice to you, right?"

    "Yes," I say with difficulty. 

    Onyx pushes me so hard that I hit my back against the banister. A strong wood connects with my back, causing a sharp pain to shoot up my back. 

    "You whore, I know you wanted him to touch you. That was why you chose to follow him, right?"

    Onyx is saying all sorts of things that don't make sense and it's making me angry. 

    "Is everything okay here?"

    Kylian is standing above us. I immediately stand on my feet. 

    "Yes, everything is. You can go on your way." Onyx says. 

    Kylian ignores him and looks at me. "Are you okay, Hazel? And why the hell are you on the floor?"

    "I missed a step," I lied. "But I'm okay. Thanks for asking,"

    Kylian looks like he doesn't believe me but he nods and goes down the steps. When he passes by me, he sighs. 

    

     

    ONYX'S POV:

    

    I don't know why I'm so livid. Just seeing Hazel talking to another man who's equally handsome and smiling like the world is fucking good to her makes me tick. 

    I don't know why Kylian is here anyway. Wasn't he supposed to be in Norway?

    For the few minutes I watched them, I saw that she was so happy to be talking to him and it made me so angry that I wanted to punch Kylian in the face till it became ugly. 

    I pushed her out of anger and now she's in pain. Kylian seems to always appear when she's helpless and it makes me so angry. Who the fuck does he think he is?

    "Let's go,"

    Hazel stands in the same position. "You don't want anyone seeing me. Why don't you leave me here? I'm better off alone than in the midst of people who don't even acknowledge my existence,"

    "Or you want to be here because of Kylian?" I growl. "Tell me the fucking truth,"

    "I don't know why you suddenly care who I move with. You and Selah can frolic all you want but I can't just have a decent conversation with someone who's willing to listen?"

    "Don't you talk about Selah in that manner. She's far better than you are!"

    "More reason why you should have come with her and not me. More reason why I should be here without you, right?  Why do you suddenly want me following you around? Aren't you embarrassed enough about me?"

    "Quit talking like a fool and let's go this instant,"

    Hazel nods and begins to follow me. 

    "I don't know where your audacity is coming from. Earl and Kylian are nice to you and you suddenly think you can talk to me anyhow you want?"

    "I'm sorry,"

    "You better fucking be." I say and I hear her sigh behind me. 

    The meeting went well as we discussed various topics and issues. There was a bit of argument but it was needed to come to a suitable conclusion and once the meeting ended, the party preparation began. 

    Now, everyone had gone to the garden where a large banquet table was set for everyone attending. I had been invited along with my Luna and everyone already saw her so I couldn't give an excuse.

    I had already lied that she wasn't a fan of meetings and that she had gone to take a self tour around the house and someone made a joke about seeing a maid standing with me which everyone laughed at.

    I should have been embarrassed even more to bring her before everyone, right?

    But I wasn't. I have to take her to the banquet table so they can all see her. Tattered or not. I am sure that we would be the talk of the union for a long time but I just have to preserve my reputation.

    I suddenly stop walking when an idea comes to mind. Hazel nearly bumps into me but she catches herself.

    "I want you to do something when you get to the table,"

    "When you're asked why you're dressed like this, tell them something happened to your dress on your way here. You had your period and you had to change clothes with your maid and sent her back to the palace so you could wear hers, okay? Everyone would laugh but it wouldn't be as embarrassing as you being dressed like this all the way from our pack."

    Hazel stares at me for a long time but she nods her head anyways.

    "Okay."