Chapter two

~HAZEL~

“I can't… I can't go with you" I blurted out and I hated the way a frown appeared on Tristan's face but I couldn't go, I couldn't see Asher and risk him finding out about Jaden.

No one knew my story, I only told Tristan that I had run away from my pack and nothing else because I didn't want the past to haunt me. So I could understand why there was a confused look on his face as he stared at me.

He grabbed onto my hand as his eyes softened.

“Come on, Hazel. It's just a dance and I promise if…"

“I can't go, Tristan. I'm sorry, I really can't" I muttered as I stared at him pleadingly,hoping he would drop it but he just straightened up with a sigh.

“I didn't want to have to do this but you are coming with me whether you like it or not. It's not a request this time but an order" My eyes widened as I stared at him.

“You can't do that, I have the right…"

“You do have the right and you'll always have the right" He interjected as his hands tightened on mine, “But I'd rather have you on my arm than anyone else. You have to go there with me. Please just do this for me once" He uttered and flashed me his puppy dog eyes again which made me groan.

“I'll think about it" I murmured and he smiled before placing a card I recognized as a credit card in my hand.

“Take this and get yourself a dress but no matter what you wear, you're going to be the most beautiful woman in the room" He murmured then winked at me before walking out of the bakery.

I stood there for a while till I heard Rose whistle behind me.

“I don't understand why you're leading him on, Hazel. He's the Lycan King, not to mention the most handsome man I've ever laid my eyes on and he's so good to you and Jaden. He loves you" She murmured as she walked closer and I scoffed.

“That's just infatuation, he'll get over it soon and I'm not leading him on. I see him as my leader and a friend. I'm very grateful for everything he does for me but I'm not ready for a relationship" I murmured as I walked back behind the counter and smiled when I saw Jaden had already settled himself into the little bed I created for him beside me. How was he fast asleep already?

“And when will you be ready? When you're fifty? You are not getting any younger, Hazel and believe it or not, Jaden needs a father figure or maybe that's why you can't move on. Are you still in love with his father, hmm?" Rose uttered and I froze as my chest suddenly felt tight.

“I hate his father and I wish we never cross paths" I muttered between clenched teeth and Rose was quiet for a while before she walked towards me with a sigh.

“Can you tell me what's going on? You didn't just run away from your pack, did you? It has something to do with…"

“Stop meddling in my business and go away" I uttered as I stared at her darkly and seeing the seriousness in my eyes, she took a hint then nodded before walking out of the bakery and I instantly felt bad.

I let out a sigh as I rested my body on the counter. Why did it seem like my past was catching up to me?

I shook my head to get rid of the thought then checked Jaden if he was still sleeping before getting back to work. Business was slow that day so I closed the bakery early and went home.

Jaden was still asleep by the time we got home and I was grateful because I needed time to gather my thoughts.

I placed him in his bed carefully then turned on the baby monitor before walking out of the room.

As soon as I got to mine, I shredded off my clothes with a groan then immediately got into the bathtub and as soon as the shower touched my body, a wave of depression hit me and I found myself sobbing before I could stop it.

I fell to the ground and cried my eyes out as my body shook. Memories of all the hardship I had to go through after Asher threw me out of the pack crawled back in and an intense hatred settled in my heart.

“Believe it or not, Jaden needs a father figure…" Rose's earlier words echoed in my head and I clenched my fist. He didn't need anyone but me.

“Gracious! Are you trying to get yourself killed?" I suddenly heard a screech before Rose wrapped a towel around my body and pulled me out of the shower then turned it off.

I turned to her with bloodshot eyes and I noticed the way her eyes softened.

“Why are you here after how I spoke to you earlier?" I murmured softly and she sighed.

“Because you are my best friend and I know you. I might have broken your locks to get in when I called you several times but you didn't answer so I assumed something was wrong and I was right. You have to tell me what's wrong" She murmured and before I could stop myself,I found myself pouring out my heart to her and she held me tightly as I cried on her shoulders.

As soon as I was done, I noticed that Rose was silently crying on my shoulders.

“You suffered so much. How could he leave you like that? He's a monster!" She uttered harshly as her arms tightened around and I let out a sigh.

“I don't care about him, he could die for all I care but I'm scared, Rose. If he sees Jaden, he'll try to take him away and I'd rather die than let that happen" I murmured and she let out a sigh before pulling backwards to stare at me.

“He's never going to take Jaden away from you, he has no right. King Tristan gave you his card right? We are going shopping for a gown because you are going for the treaty" She uttered and I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Didn't you hear what I just said? If he sees me…"

“He won't know you have a child, I'll be here taking care of Jaden. You just have to go there and show him just how strong you are and how good you're doing without him. You have to face him, Hazel" She uttered and I stared at her for a while before nodding.

One day, I was going to have to face Asher so why not now?

“Okay but there's no time. Tristan said it's tonight" I uttered and she smiled.

“Leave that to me"...