053

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,