Hazel's Point of View Ugh… my back aches like I’ve been hit by a truck. I groan softly as I start to stir, feeling the telltale stiffness in my neck and shoulders. Lifting my head, it takes me a moment to realize where I am, slumped over my desk, surrounded by open grimoires and scattered notes. Perfect. Just perfect. Fell asleep mid research like some over caffeinated student, only I don’t even have the excuse of youth on my side anymore. I rub at my neck with a wince, blinking at the soft morning light filtering in through the window. My second lecture’s today, and here I am looking, and probably smelling, like a zombie. Great impression to make. Just what I needed. I glance at the grimoires and quickly flip a few pages to check. No drool, thank the stars. At least there's that. My eyes catch the wine glass still sitting beside the stack of books, a few sips of red still lingering in the bottom like a quiet reminder of last night’s desperation. I pick it up along with the empty
Hazel's Point of View I take the last bite of my muffin, chasing the lingering sweetness with the final sip of my cappuccino. The warm drink settles in my stomach like a comfort blanket, and I let out a quiet, content sigh before standing from my desk. A quick trip to the bathroom is in order, just to make sure I don’t walk into class with a smudge of chocolate somewhere on my face. That would be an incredibly "relatable professor" moment, but not exactly the impression I’m aiming for today. The hallway is quiet as I walk, the sound of my shoes echoing softly on the tile. Inside the bathroom, the fluorescent lights buzz faintly overhead as I step up to the mirror. I lean in, studying my reflection with a sharp eye. No chocolate smears, thank the Goddess. My concealer is still doing its job, hiding the circles under my eyes from last night’s desk nap, and my blouse still looks crisp. I wash my hands, letting the cool water rinse away the last of the muffin’s crumbs and sleepiness. I
Aiden's Point of View I blink against the faint grey of early dawn, my neck stiff and my back sore as I shift upright on the office couch. It takes a second before the full weight of where I am, and what happened, hits me like a punch to the gut. This isn’t my bed. This is my office. And I’m not alone. Or at least, I wasn’t. The couch is cold now, empty, but the memories flood in fast and sharp, the omega girl, soft spoken, wide eyed, and nameless. I don’t even know her damn name. I groan, dragging a hand down my face, the sting of regret settling deep in my chest. This was never supposed to happen, not here, not with one of my own pack. I always told myself I’d never cross that line. I curse under my breath. Everything inside me wants to bury the shame, to run until my thoughts burn out and the guilt dulls to something manageable. I push off the couch, standing with a low exhale, and glance towards the windows. It’s still dark. Perfect. Maybe if I leave now, slip into the woods
Aiden's Point of View I step onto the main floor just in time to see Drake disappearing into his office. I pick up my pace, knocking lightly before I push the door open. He looks up and gestures to the chair across from him without a word, that same calm, steady energy he always carries. I take the seat and try to relax into it, but I can already feel the tension tightening in my shoulders. Drake studies me for a moment, like he’s searching for something in my expression. Maybe he sees the exhaustion, or maybe he’s just waiting to see which version of me walks in today. “You look better today,” he says finally. “How are you feeling?” I shrug, keeping my tone neutral. “I’m feeling more and more like myself each day. Maybe I was just out on the road too long. Got used to silence and gravel.” It’s not a lie. Those moments lately, sharing meals with the pack, hearing laughter again, they spark something familiar in me. A piece of the old me. But when the nights come and the silence c
Hazel's Point of View Steam still clings to my skin as I step out of the shower, wrapping one towel around my body and another around my hair. The quiet hum of the bathroom fan fades behind me as I walk barefoot into my bedroom, the soft cotton underfoot a comforting contrast to the cool air. I stand in front of my open closet, towel clutched tight as I scan the neatly hung rows of clothes. Valerie’s birthday get together is tonight, she said “small,” but also said to “dress nice.” I frown slightly. Vague instructions. Typical Valerie. My fingers trail along the hangers until they pause on a flowy forest green halterneck dress. It catches the light softly and gives off just the right balance of effortless and elegant. Perfect. I slip the dress off the hanger and lay it carefully across the bed. Then I bend down, digging out a pair of gold strappy sandals, the delicate kind that shimmer just enough to be noticed but won’t scream for attention. I place them beside the dress, admirin
Aiden's Point of View Time blurs in Amelia’s hospital room. I lean back in the chair, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded, watching the steady rhythm of the heart monitor and the way Amelia’s breaths come in slow, controlled waves. I’ve completely lost track of how long we’ve been here, hours, maybe more, but the soft ticking of the wall clock and the dimmed lights do little to keep me grounded in time. Then suddenly, Amelia jolts upright with a gasp, one hand gripping the side rail of the bed, the other pressing to her belly. Her eyes go wide. “I think it’s happening,” she says, her voice tight but steady. Nicole is on her feet in an instant, her demeanor shifting smoothly from calm support to professional precision. She moves to check Amelia’s vitals and does a quick assessment before smiling, her face lighting up. “You’re right,” she says. “It’s showtime.” My eyes flick to Amelia, there’s a spark of excitement and a hint of nervousness behind her eyes, but she’s stron
Hazel's Point of ViewValerie’s fingers wrap around my wrist with infectious energy as she pulls me through the crowd again, weaving between groups of partygoers. Her laughter rings out over the low thrum of music, and I can’t help but smile, caught somewhere between curiosity and anticipation. We’re heading towards someone else, another introduction, but this time, her pace slows just a little, as if she’s building suspense.That’s when I see him.From behind, all I can make out is his tall, broad frame and unruly pitch black hair that somehow manages to look both tousled and intentional. His posture is relaxed, one hand resting casually on the edge of the counter, the other probably holding a drink. He exudes quiet confidence, and before I can take another breath, we’re at a full stop.Valerie clears her throat gently, and the man turns around.My breath catches, just slightly.He’s rugged, there’s no better word for it. Strong jawline, a faint shadow of stubble, and eyes that are j
Aiden's Point of View The glow from my laptop screen casts a dull light across my office as I sit hunched at my desk, fingers stiff from typing. I rub my temple with one hand while the other scrolls through the endless sea of emails. Three months of backlog, and it feels like the mountain only grows with every message I open. The first email I tackled was from the university in Cape Point, some form about alumni contributions and a request to guest lecture again for the history department. I like to help out at the university from time to time and guest lecture there. And you never know what unexpected girl you might meet there. I had flagged it over a month ago with the intent of giving it serious thought. I respond politely, vaguely, telling them I’ll consider it once things settle down on the 'work' front. Truth is, I miss my old life, but there's too much happening right now. The second email was from the supply unit, confirming a medicine shipment for the hospital and requesti
Hazel's Point of View The sun is already casting warm light through the curtains when I begin to stir, stretching beneath the soft sheets of my bed. A sense of calm sits in my chest, a rare feeling lately, and I decide to lean into it. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, a bright smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I walk across the floor and into the bathroom. The water runs warm beneath my fingers as I pour in salts and a generous scoop of bubbles. A soft lavender scent begins to rise in the air, curling around me like a soothing blanket. I slip off my clothes and ease into the bath, letting the heat draw the tension from my body. The moment I sink beneath the water, my mind stills. My eyes fall shut, and I let my head rest back against the tub, letting myself enjoy the peace. But it doesn't last. The quiet is a trap. Unbidden, the images creep in, Aiden standing in my cottage, his face carved with something unreadable, and the words of rejection that followed. It p
Aiden's Point of View The glow from my laptop screen casts a dull light across my office as I sit hunched at my desk, fingers stiff from typing. I rub my temple with one hand while the other scrolls through the endless sea of emails. Three months of backlog, and it feels like the mountain only grows with every message I open. The first email I tackled was from the university in Cape Point, some form about alumni contributions and a request to guest lecture again for the history department. I like to help out at the university from time to time and guest lecture there. And you never know what unexpected girl you might meet there. I had flagged it over a month ago with the intent of giving it serious thought. I respond politely, vaguely, telling them I’ll consider it once things settle down on the 'work' front. Truth is, I miss my old life, but there's too much happening right now. The second email was from the supply unit, confirming a medicine shipment for the hospital and requesti
Hazel's Point of ViewValerie’s fingers wrap around my wrist with infectious energy as she pulls me through the crowd again, weaving between groups of partygoers. Her laughter rings out over the low thrum of music, and I can’t help but smile, caught somewhere between curiosity and anticipation. We’re heading towards someone else, another introduction, but this time, her pace slows just a little, as if she’s building suspense.That’s when I see him.From behind, all I can make out is his tall, broad frame and unruly pitch black hair that somehow manages to look both tousled and intentional. His posture is relaxed, one hand resting casually on the edge of the counter, the other probably holding a drink. He exudes quiet confidence, and before I can take another breath, we’re at a full stop.Valerie clears her throat gently, and the man turns around.My breath catches, just slightly.He’s rugged, there’s no better word for it. Strong jawline, a faint shadow of stubble, and eyes that are j
Aiden's Point of View Time blurs in Amelia’s hospital room. I lean back in the chair, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded, watching the steady rhythm of the heart monitor and the way Amelia’s breaths come in slow, controlled waves. I’ve completely lost track of how long we’ve been here, hours, maybe more, but the soft ticking of the wall clock and the dimmed lights do little to keep me grounded in time. Then suddenly, Amelia jolts upright with a gasp, one hand gripping the side rail of the bed, the other pressing to her belly. Her eyes go wide. “I think it’s happening,” she says, her voice tight but steady. Nicole is on her feet in an instant, her demeanor shifting smoothly from calm support to professional precision. She moves to check Amelia’s vitals and does a quick assessment before smiling, her face lighting up. “You’re right,” she says. “It’s showtime.” My eyes flick to Amelia, there’s a spark of excitement and a hint of nervousness behind her eyes, but she’s stron
Hazel's Point of View Steam still clings to my skin as I step out of the shower, wrapping one towel around my body and another around my hair. The quiet hum of the bathroom fan fades behind me as I walk barefoot into my bedroom, the soft cotton underfoot a comforting contrast to the cool air. I stand in front of my open closet, towel clutched tight as I scan the neatly hung rows of clothes. Valerie’s birthday get together is tonight, she said “small,” but also said to “dress nice.” I frown slightly. Vague instructions. Typical Valerie. My fingers trail along the hangers until they pause on a flowy forest green halterneck dress. It catches the light softly and gives off just the right balance of effortless and elegant. Perfect. I slip the dress off the hanger and lay it carefully across the bed. Then I bend down, digging out a pair of gold strappy sandals, the delicate kind that shimmer just enough to be noticed but won’t scream for attention. I place them beside the dress, admirin
Aiden's Point of View I step onto the main floor just in time to see Drake disappearing into his office. I pick up my pace, knocking lightly before I push the door open. He looks up and gestures to the chair across from him without a word, that same calm, steady energy he always carries. I take the seat and try to relax into it, but I can already feel the tension tightening in my shoulders. Drake studies me for a moment, like he’s searching for something in my expression. Maybe he sees the exhaustion, or maybe he’s just waiting to see which version of me walks in today. “You look better today,” he says finally. “How are you feeling?” I shrug, keeping my tone neutral. “I’m feeling more and more like myself each day. Maybe I was just out on the road too long. Got used to silence and gravel.” It’s not a lie. Those moments lately, sharing meals with the pack, hearing laughter again, they spark something familiar in me. A piece of the old me. But when the nights come and the silence c
Aiden's Point of View I blink against the faint grey of early dawn, my neck stiff and my back sore as I shift upright on the office couch. It takes a second before the full weight of where I am, and what happened, hits me like a punch to the gut. This isn’t my bed. This is my office. And I’m not alone. Or at least, I wasn’t. The couch is cold now, empty, but the memories flood in fast and sharp, the omega girl, soft spoken, wide eyed, and nameless. I don’t even know her damn name. I groan, dragging a hand down my face, the sting of regret settling deep in my chest. This was never supposed to happen, not here, not with one of my own pack. I always told myself I’d never cross that line. I curse under my breath. Everything inside me wants to bury the shame, to run until my thoughts burn out and the guilt dulls to something manageable. I push off the couch, standing with a low exhale, and glance towards the windows. It’s still dark. Perfect. Maybe if I leave now, slip into the woods
Hazel's Point of View I take the last bite of my muffin, chasing the lingering sweetness with the final sip of my cappuccino. The warm drink settles in my stomach like a comfort blanket, and I let out a quiet, content sigh before standing from my desk. A quick trip to the bathroom is in order, just to make sure I don’t walk into class with a smudge of chocolate somewhere on my face. That would be an incredibly "relatable professor" moment, but not exactly the impression I’m aiming for today. The hallway is quiet as I walk, the sound of my shoes echoing softly on the tile. Inside the bathroom, the fluorescent lights buzz faintly overhead as I step up to the mirror. I lean in, studying my reflection with a sharp eye. No chocolate smears, thank the Goddess. My concealer is still doing its job, hiding the circles under my eyes from last night’s desk nap, and my blouse still looks crisp. I wash my hands, letting the cool water rinse away the last of the muffin’s crumbs and sleepiness. I
Hazel's Point of View Ugh… my back aches like I’ve been hit by a truck. I groan softly as I start to stir, feeling the telltale stiffness in my neck and shoulders. Lifting my head, it takes me a moment to realize where I am, slumped over my desk, surrounded by open grimoires and scattered notes. Perfect. Just perfect. Fell asleep mid research like some over caffeinated student, only I don’t even have the excuse of youth on my side anymore. I rub at my neck with a wince, blinking at the soft morning light filtering in through the window. My second lecture’s today, and here I am looking, and probably smelling, like a zombie. Great impression to make. Just what I needed. I glance at the grimoires and quickly flip a few pages to check. No drool, thank the stars. At least there's that. My eyes catch the wine glass still sitting beside the stack of books, a few sips of red still lingering in the bottom like a quiet reminder of last night’s desperation. I pick it up along with the empty