The day just slipped through Hazel's fingers. She was left alone in her room, grappling with the messiness of her new life. Zain had to go handle some pack stuff. She was left to untangle her emotions alone. Ever since her chat with Zain earlier, her head felt like a beehive, buzzing with all sorts of thoughts. His words hit her hard, sinking into her mind like heavy stones. Wyatt's betrayal kept playing on a loop, and it was tough for her to swallow. She couldn't shake off the memories they shared, now spoiled by the ugly truth of his deceit. "She means nothing to me. My pack is important," his words echoed in her head, each repetition feeling like a dagger to her heart. Her mind was like a rough sea, refusing to calm down, making sleep seem like a distant fantasy. Desperate for some peace, she plugged in her pendrive, hoping that music could be her saving grace. The tunes filled the room, gradually drifting her off into a much-needed slumber, unaware of the stormy dreams waiting for
Hazel sat in the car, gazing at the scenic view unfolding before her. The city sprawled out below, its beauty taking her breath away. Misty was engrossed in giving Hazel detailed directions, her voice filling the car with instructions. Meanwhile, Zain sat quietly in the passenger seat, his eyes fixed on her, observing her every move. After their morning meeting, Zain felt a sense of anticipation building within him. He was certain that his breakthrough to meet Hazel's wolf was imminent. It seemed as though it was on the verge of emerging, eager to reveal itself to Hazel. In every subtle gesture and movement, Zain sensed the wolf's presence, ready to make its presence known. At first, it had been mere whispers in her dreams, but today, as she revealed the claw marks on her wrist, he witnessed the tangible manifestation of that latent power. Hazel's resistance to embracing her inner wolf stirred a fleeting frustration within him. Why was she making it so difficult? Why couldn't she see
Hazel fluttered her eyes open, a gasp escaping her lips as she stirred to rise. She glanced around and found pairs of concerned eyes fixed on her. The memories of her recent ordeal flooded back, leaving her acutely aware that she wasn't in a normal state and these people weren't exactly helping her feel at ease. "How are you feeling?" Zain's voice broke through the haze, his hand gently resting on Hazel's. Without a word, Hazel first examined his touch, then glanced down at her own hand, which appeared normal now, devoid of any blood stains or scratches. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked back at Zain, clinging to him as if he were her last lifeline in this darkness threatening to consume her."Zain..." she whispered his name."Don't be afraid; I'm right here," he reassured her, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. It was the first time she had leaned into his shoulder, allowing herself to be embraced by him, finding comfort in his presence. In that moment, she allowed hers
Hazel blinked, her eyelids fluttering open to greet the sight of her bedroom ceiling. After a few steady breaths, she realized she felt surprisingly refreshed, devoid of any remnants of a troubled sleep. There were no signs of struggle or haunting dreams lingering to unsettle her. As she sat up against the headboard, a surge of curiosity washed over her, prompting her to inspect her body, her hands, her feet - everything appeared normal. With a quick movement, she threw aside the duvet and rushed to the mirror, scrutinizing her reflection for any clues. But everything seemed unchanged. A nagging question tugged at her thoughts: What had transpired during her sleep? Did she communicate with that mysterious presence that often visited her dreams? Or had she departed entirely? Closing her eyes, she attempted to recall her dreams, hoping to uncover even the slightest hint of their interaction. Yet, to her dismay, her mind was blank, devoid of any recollection. Her eyes widened in realiz
FlashbackIn a sudden flashback, Hazel found herself standing on the familiar ground, clad in pristine white attire. She scanned her surroundings in search of the mysterious girl from before, but she was nowhere to be found. Determined, Hazel retraced her steps, leading her to the same ominous house that had haunted her dreams. With an unsettling feeling gnawing, she pushed the slightly ajar door open and stepped inside.The house was eerily quiet, devoid of any signs of life. A strange metallic smell lingered in the air, making her nose twitch. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she was met with a horrifying sight. Anna and Aztec, the couple, lay lifeless on the floor. Dread washed over her as she realized they had been murdered. Panic seized her as she looked around, searching for any sign of the baby or the woman who had assisted with the birth."They've been murdered," Unexpectedly, a presence in the room drew her attention. She turned to find someone standing there, her eyes fi
Hazel felt a knot of nerves twist in her stomach as Zain's interruption caught her off guard. She quickly smoothed down her clothes and made her way to the door, her mind buzzing with the dilemma of whether to reveal her wolf or keep it hidden.Zain's concerned gaze met hers as she approached. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice betraying his worry. "I'm sorry if I caught you off guard with the proposal. I didn't mean to rush things, but I just didn't want my parents to feel.. I understand if you're not ready yet, but..." He trailed off with a heavy sigh, leaving the rest of his thoughts unspoken."It's okay," Hazel said softly, surprising him. He had braced himself for her to be upset, but instead, she seemed calm. He reached out and gently held her face in his hand."Thank you for understanding," he said, relieved. "I'm glad you're considering being my partner."Hazel hesitated, her expression uncertain. "I haven't decided yet, Zain. I need more time to think."Zain nodded,
Standing in front of the mirror, he gazed at his reflection. In the depths of his turmoil, Wyatt couldn't shake off the weight of his guilt. The physical wounds might fade with time, but the ache in his soul remained, constantly reminding him of his actions. Memories of that moment reignited the pain as if Hazel's spirit demanded answers he couldn't provide. Every night, he found himself haunted by regrets, wishing he could undo what he had done to her. He couldn't escape the responsibility he felt for her death, blaming himself for failing to protect her. Doubt gnawed at him, making him question his worthiness as an alpha.Despite saving several warriors, he couldn't shake the guilt of failing to protect a valuable human life. Tears welled up as sorrow pierced his heart once more. "Brother, let's head to the battleground," Dimitry's voice broke through his thoughts. Gritting his teeth, he pushed down his emotions, channeling his anger into preparation for the impending battle with h
"Let her go," Jenna pleaded, her voice soft but insistent.Zain glanced at her, a rush of emotions flooding through him, none of which he could quite grasp. He hadn't anticipated Hazel's sudden announcement about returning home. He had been so sure he had everything under control, waiting for her wolf to surface, believing he could handle it by marking her. But now, faced with this unexpected twist, he realized he wasn't prepared."How could you even consider that, Mom?" He struggled to maintain his composure, fighting the urge to lose it."You promised her. She's free to make her own decisions. I'm certain now that she's accepted your proposal, she wanted to tell her parents and get their approval like any good daughter," Jenna still believed in what they saw during the proposal, but little did she know Hazel had already informed Zain needed time to make up her mind."Mom, come on, you gotta understand. I didn't bring her here just to let her walk away without making sure she feels l