Orion’s povI was pacing in my office consumed by countless thoughts. I couldn’t take it anymore, the conflict inside me. It wasn’t just the fact that she was from Shadowclaw pack, but everything else she brought with her. Something inside me told me to believe her, to trust her as my wolf side whispered but the laws of being an alpha of the pack said something different.I couldn’t wait any longer; I needed to see her now. No amount of pacing around would help or fix anything. I had to face this and make up my mind one way or another what side I was on. I left through my office door and walked to her room.My insides wanted so badly to tear me apart with my wolf telling me what to do and whatnot to do.All I wanted was to find a way to silence the wolf part of me and use the brain part.“She is our mate,” my wolf said. “You can’t punish her for anything. She belongs with us.”When I arrived outside her door, I raised my hand to knock but stopped. Would she hate me for this? I sighed
Hazel’s povI woke up the next morning with a sigh as I blinked hard at the light before me that was coming in through the windows. The bed was warm and I could tell it wasn’t from the blankets but from someone that was beside me.I smiled, knowing that it was someone special who was there.I looked up at Orion whose steady breathing filled me with happiness as I saw him sleeping peacefully next to me. His chest rose and fell in a beautiful and gentle way as I snuggled into him.It didn’t feel real. Just the other night I had been on my knees begging for mercy and begging for him to spare my life and now I was lying beside him in bed. It was so peaceful having him around.I thought of all the promises he had made to me of how he had promised to not kill or hurt me and I knew I would believe him.I shifted slightly, careful not to wake him, but I couldn’t help myself. I reached out, my fingers gently brushing against his arm. His skin was warm, and a wave of comfort washed over me. He
Hazel’s povI got up from my bed slowly, resting my palm against the wood in front of me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see anyone today.But as soon as I opened the door, I saw Evelyn standing there in front of me, her body blocking my path. I stopped dead in my tracks.“Hazel,” she said as I shook my head and got back into my room. Before I could even step back to close the door, she was faster than I expected. She stuck her hand in the way just before the door slammed shut. The force of it made her wince slightly, but she didn’t pull her hand back. I noticed the way her hand immediately started to heal, the skin knitting back together, and the redness fading quickly as if she hadn’t even been hurt at all.Frowning, I couldn’t understand what she was doing here. “What do you want?” my voice came out both cautious and suspicious as all hell kept racing through my mind; What could she possibly want now?She smiled at me, but it didn’t reach her eyes. There was something about the way s
Evelyn’s povI left Hazel’s room with a heavy heart, my steps slow and deliberate as I made my way to my own room. My emotions were in turmoil, some of them beyond me, I couldn’t even put them into words. It wasn’t just the fact that Hazel had turned down my attempt at friendship. I had come to extend an olive branch, and she had shut the damn door. I had tried to be the better person but she’d seen right through it. And for some reason that hurt.Who did she think she was to act all high and mighty? Oh she was just trying out and she was thinking she was hotcake. I would show her what she was missing.When I got into my room, instead of finding a seat or attempting to clear my head I went straight towards the small table where tea was already being steamed down by one of my maids’.“Give me a painkiller,” I muttered to the maid as I dropped down onto the chair by the window. “And don’t give me anything weak. Give me something strong that will blot everything out.” I couldn’t keep up
Hazel’s povIt started quietly, a few snickers here and there, but soon it grew louder and louder as I fumbled on. It was an ugly sound, one that made my face burn with shame. I wanted to shut it out. I wanted to focus on what I was doing and push through, but it only became more pronounced with every mistake I made. It felt like they were all staring right at me, seeing me for who I really was. A failure and an outcast.Mara’s voice cut through the laughter, sharp and cold as ice. “Hazel. What is this?” Disappointment oozed from her.I winced. I hadn’t been expecting that reaction at all.“I can’t believe it,” Mara snapped. “You didn’t understand a word of what I taught you in class. This is a basic healing technique and you failed it.”My heart thudded in my chest like an exhausted bird flapping its wings against a harsh wind. She was wrong—I had tried. I really had learned these techniques before. “Go sit down,” Mara ordered, her tone dismissive.I felt the breath sucked from my l
Orion’s povI was seated at the large oak table as I clasped my hands on my laps together. The elders who were around me with their voices raised were shouting about something that I rolled my eyes about but I didn’t care either way. One of the elders, elder Gerik’s voice, cut through the noise. “She doesn’t belong here, Orion. She’s a rogue. An outcast,” he said, his gaze hard.I didn’t respond immediately. I kept my eyes on the table, letting the words hang in the air. The room fell quiet, but only for a moment.Elder Alia chimed in, her voice cold and sharp. “We’ve tolerated her presence long enough. You cannot harbor a rogue in this pack. If we let her stay, others will come. We’ll be overrun by outcasts.”“And what are we supposed to do, send her away?” I asked, finally breaking my silence.Elder Gerik leaned forward. “Yes. She’s a threat. A rogue from Shadowclaw. She could be plotting something. You can’t trust her, Orion.”I looked at him with rage. If only I could tell them t
Hazel’s povWhen Evelyn had mentioned the party to me earlier, I hadn’t known she was for real. I was in my room, combing through my wardrobe when she breezed in without knocking, a self-satisfied smirk spread across her face.“Sweetie stop whatever it is you’re hunting for in that cupboard,” she declared dramatically waving a paper bag.“I’ve got stuff. And believe me it's way cooler than anything you’re thinking about wearing.”“What are those?” I blinked at her. She walked over to my bed and dumped the bag on top of it. “Dresses. Party dresses. You’re not going out there looking like a librarian. You need to make an entrance.” But my clothes are good. There is nothing wrong with them.She laughed. “Let me see one of them.”I got to my wardrobe and got out a dress as I wore it and showed her which didn’t work as she laughed even louder.“What are you laughing for?”“I’m sorry,” she said before bawling out again. “Where did you pick that? The dumpster?”“I can tell you I went shopp
Orion’s povI was in my office going through some meeting with the elders who only yelled and talked about nothing that I would pay attention to if I was being honest. After their complaints, I nodded and told them I would fix it as they left the room.With a sigh, I leaned back and watched them leave as I looked at the time and sighed again.“Goddess, I hate this life,” I muttered as my wolf appeared before me and laughed.“Welcome to the life of being an alpha,” he said as I chuckled. “I don’t get it,” I said to my feet, walking to the large windows. “I understand that they don’t want me with an outsider but this is too much. The way they’ve been acting and treating me it’s been too much. They’ve been acting like I want to betray the pack.”“To be honest, if I were one of the elders and had no affiliation with hazel, I would want to get away too. She’s been labeled an outcast, she’s from the neighboring pack. We hate them and they hate us. We’ve been at war. What did you think was
Author’s povThe throne room of the Red moon pack was a buzz with thick tension as Hazel who had returned, stood proud and tall. She called for a meeting with both the elders of the red moon pack and the shadowclaw pack. It had taken Orion a leap of faith to extend an invitation to every important dignitary as he knew that Hazel who looked looked different this time after her travels had something important to say.She looked different from how she had been before traveling.With everyone seated in the court while she stood in the middle, she started the meeting. Hazel’s voice didn’t waver. “I’ve had no reason to doubt you before, Ryder,” she said, her eyes still locked on his. “But I wouldn’t have called this meeting if I wasn’t one hundred percent sure. You owe me justice―and you’re going to give it to me today.”Ryder laughed in disbelief and leaned back even farther in his chair. “Justice?” he asked disdainfully. “What kind of justice do you think you’re entitled to? Seriously?
Evelyn’s POVThe cell was damp, and cold, the hard stone felt as if it would close in on me. I didn’t know how long I had been down here since Kael had tossed me in this hole but it didn’t matter the time right now because if anything my anger had just intensified. My hands were shackled before me but that didn’t bother me. What bothered me was why I was here.I had done nothing wrong in my book.The heavy boots pounded down the hallway. I straightened, lifting my chin as the door creaked open.Kael stepped in, towering over me as much as he filled the small space. His expression was a mask, but I saw the tightness in his jaw, the anger in his sharp eyes. He folded his arms over his chest and studied me.“Where did you take Hazel?” The question was soft, and controlled, but I could hear the blame lacing it.I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “You’re delusional, Kael. I didn’t take Hazel anywhere.”His expression darkened. “Don’t lie to me, Evelyn. I know you were involved in her disappearanc
Hazel’s povI journeyed for a long time before I arrived at the spot Ryder had directed. There, tucked in between those boulders, was a large dark cave. Everything became dead silent all around me and for a moment, I stood still and doubted myself. But it quickly ended when my eyes landed on her.Alongside the entrance to the abyss, a figure sat there and it was an elderly woman, with long silver hair sliding down her back. She looked as if she would crumble right under herself yet something about her seemed so powerful.I took a step forward, opening my mouth to speak but before I could get a word out she lifted her head and looked straight at me."Hazel." She said softly.I froze.How does she know my name?Before I could ask, movement flickered in my periphery. More people were stepping out from the shadows of the mountains. Men and women in dark cloaks. Their gazes held something I couldn’t quite grasp. Recognition. And... happiness when they saw me.“She’s come back,” someone bre
Hazel’s povRyder shook his head, desperation pouring from his eyes. “No, Hazel. That’s not all. I…” His voice cracked. “I didn’t know.”She sliced her hand through the air, severing his words. “But you did,” she said with sharp, brutal conviction. “You really knew.”Ryder sucked in a deep breath and desperation filled his eyes. “I know I fucked up, Hazel. I know I hurt you but I didn’t know you were pregnant, or that the baby was Orion’s. If I had known—”I cut him off, my voice sharp. “Stop acting like you didn’t know. But you did know I was pregnant, Ryder. You knew, and you still banished me. In front of my parents. Do you have any idea how much that hurt? Do you have any idea how much you humiliated me?”Ryder’s shoulders slumped, and he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know, Hazel. I know I hurt you. And I’ll never forgive myself for that. But I’m here now. I’m trying to make things right.”I sighed, my face softening slightly. “I already said I’d help your mother, R
Hazel’s povI woke up the next morning and an ungodly heaviness sat on my chest. The argument from yesterday was the first thing I thought of—Evelyn’s betrayal, my escape, Kael stopping me. It left me angry and feeling restless and I couldn’t lock myself in this room all day to lick my wounds. I needed some air—to breathe, to think.With that said, I got out of bed and dressed quickly while making a path for the door. There wasn’t much noise in the rooms as made it way down the hallway, except for a faint hum of footsteps… the maids were working no doubt. No one was in the garden when I arrived so early this morning.But as I stepped foot into the garden, my feet froze. There, with his back to me, stood someone I never expected to see again—Alpha Ryder of my old pack. My heart skipped a beat and I was hit with a wave of emotions—anger, terror, confusion. What in the world is he doing here? After everything he had done to me—after banishing me from my own pack when he found out about m
Hazel’s POV He untied my hands, rough but not sloppy. I don’t think he wanted to hurt me. Not yet. I worked my wrists when he was done, enjoying the tingle as circulation returned.Mark yanked me upright by one arm, easy enough that it wasn't painful. He marched and dragged me towards the only partially closed door at the far end of the room, his eyes flicking around, wary.But so was I.I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me and my heart pounding. This was it. My only chance. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and then I waited for a while before I exited the door into the room.Mark was standing a few feet away from me, his back turned as he used his lighter to light a cigarette. He didn’t turn his head when he heard my footsteps coming toward him. He had no fear in that moment. And that’s when I got him.With every ounce of strength I had, I kicked him. Hard. Behind the back of his leg, at his knee. He let out a grunt of pain as he stumbled forward and d
Author’s povRyder wrinkled his nose, his annoyance heightening. “Why?”“Because she’s busy,” Kael said in anger.“Busy doing what? I told you it was important. My mother is dying.”Kael’s mouth flattened and he closed the distance between him and Ryder, speaking in a low, rigid voice. “I said she’s busy, Ryder. That’s all you need to know. And if you’re hurt and in need of healing’, our pack has plenty who are more than qualified for the job.”Ryder narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “With all due respect, Kael, I didn’t come here for your healers. I came here for Hazel. She’s the only one who can help my mother. So, if you know where she is, tell me.”Kael’s gaze hardened as he took another step closer. His voice was sharp when he spoke again. “I don’t owe you anything Ryder. You’re a guest here and you will respect our rules.Hazel is not available to you. End of discussion.”Ryder clenched his fists at his sides, feeling his patience—what little he had left of
Orion’s povThe following morning, I awoke early, my mind full of the day’s agenda. One of the first things I had to do was let Hazel know that her old alpha, Ryder, would be coming to the packhouse. She and he had a… difficult history, and I wanted to warn her in advance. I dressed quickly then headed down the hall to her room.I rapped on her closed door and called out, “Hazel? It’s Orion; we need to talk.”There was no answer. I knocked again, harder. “Hazel? Are you home?”Silence. I squinted my eyes and reached for the doorknob. Something was not right. The door swung open and creaked under my weight.No one was there. The bed was made perfectly and looked exactly as it did before she left this morning—empty.“Hazel?” I called out again, my voice bouncing back in the empty room.Silence. I took a few steps toward the dresser and pulled on the handle. It opened easily, revealing Hazel’s neatly folded clothes. All of her personal items were still there, exactly as she’d left them w
Orion’s povKael stared at me for a long moment before he finally nodded his head, his voice quiet. “Alright, Orion. I’ll trust you on this but if things go wrong it’s your head.”I smiled in reassurance and relief. “I know. And I’m ready to take that responsibility.”Kael dropped back down into the chair again, his voice still so serious for one so young. “So what’s the plan then? How do we help Ryder’s mother without putting the pack in danger?” I stood up straighter, my mind spinning with ideas. “We’ll start by sending some healers to Ryder’s pack. They can check on his mother and try to heal her if they’re able. But they’ll also be guarded in case Ryder tries anything.”Kael agreed with a slow nod, his gaze distant. “Okay. That’s a good precaution to take, but we can’t afford not to plan for the worst case either. How about bringing him into our own pack.”“I don’t like the idea, Kael. Bringing Ryder into our pack? After everything he’s done? It feels like we’re inviting trouble.