CHAPTER 24

THADDEUS

I rubbed the crease between my eyebrows in frustration. My mom was really getting on my nerves. She was being so stubborn again, and it was giving me a headache. I couldn't believe how patient my dad was with her. She always had to have things her way, no matter what.

Perhaps, because of her Omega status. 

I remembered all the times she'd caused trouble with her stubbornness. It seemed like she was always the one starting the arguments. But even though she could be difficult, I knew she loved me a lot. She was a strong woman who always believed in herself.

"Mom, really, there's no need to come down here," I said, trying to calm her down. "I already told you, she's doing just fine. Thea and Peter just went downstairs to check on her." I tried to ignore her worried protests.

“And why didn't you check on her?” She snapped. I could just imagine the deadly glare she had on her face right now, that glare would make most wolves want to piss their pants. 

I stared at the paperwork silently.

The thing is, I would have gone to check on her but I believed that Hazel wouldn't want to see me. I did feel a little guilty for letting her go through her heat cycle alone, but everything happened so fast that I couldn't even think clearly. My wolf was tearing my mind apart. 

“Thaddeus, I'm very disappointed in you, you know she is the most wanted female right now___all male wolves would grab this opportunity and try to please her if they had this chance you have,” my mom said softly. I winced at her tone–no matter how soft it was, it felt like a thousand knives pricked at my skin. 

To know that, for the first time in my life. My mom was disappointed in me really…hurt, I had let her down.

“Mother, I'm sorry. But you already know my reasons.” I said, trying to make her understand the situation from my very own perspective.

“You're living in the past, Thaddeus. You still haven't realised how much you have grown as a person. You have to trust yourself to make the right decision or else the pack wouldn't trust you. Wait, don't tell me you do not trust your mate.”

“It's not that I don't trust Hazelnut, mother. I just want to see how her personality is before I let myself think what is best.”

“So, tell me. How are you supposed to figure out her personality if you keep avoiding the girl? How are you going to accept that she's trustworthy by just observing her around other people you hardly know? You have to talk to her, Thaddeus. Communication is the key to building a good relationship. Do you even know how many good relationships have been destroyed because the couple didn't communicate with each other? I'm not going to let this be the reason you and her don't get along. I wouldn't be happy if she ends up rejecting you.”

My mom made some good points, I had to admit. Perhaps it was time for me to visit Hazel and have a talk with her. It will help me figure out whether she is mate material or not.

“You have to act fast because the full moon is coming, she might have more blessed mates from the moon goddess __you told me yourself that you are one of her mates, don't be stupid and let her slip off your finger. She is like a treasure, son.” 

A few minutes later, my mom finally hung up after making me promise that I would go see Hazel as soon as possible. I decided that the best time to go would be after she was back home and settled down. It wasn't a good idea to stress her out in her present condition. She wouldn't be willing to even hear me out then.

There was a knock on the door, Peter and Thea trailed into the room with a somewhat serious look on their faces.

I pursed my lips and tried to act casual even though I was a bit worried. 

'Has Hazel’s condition gotten worse?' I thought to myself.

I cleared my throat and gave them expectant looks. “Well?”

They exchanged a look before Thea opened his mouth hesitantly. “Hazel wants to reject you alone.”

Out of all things for him to say, I was not expecting that. My lips parted and my eyes widened as I stared at him in disbelief.

Was he serious right now, or was this one of his jokes?

My wolf started panicking and pacing frantically in my head.

Go to mate , beg mate to not reject us.

My wolf was beginning to act like a coward. I shushed him gently and tried convincing him that Hazel wouldn't reject us, but he was honestly not having it at all. 

‘This whole thing is your entire fault. Mate doesn't want me because of you__ you want me to grow old, live with the rat and die a virgin.’ 

‘Oh, thanks a lot. You’ve really outdone yourself this time. I suppose you think it’s hilarious to watch me grow old and gray, alone and miserable, all while you sit back and cackle. Really funny.’ my wolf kept on blabbing in my head.

I mentally rolled my eyes at his dramatic statement. With the way he was acting, you would think that Hazel had already rejected us. 

It was the first time I had ever seen my wolf so tranquil. Usually, when the Moon Goddess blessed us with a mate, he’d become a tempestuous beast, his eyes burning with a possessive fire. But this time, there was a serene stillness in his gaze, a quiet strength that was both unfamiliar and captivating

“Thaddeus,” Peter said, interrupting my wolf. “You have to start acting like a real mate. She's pretty much planning on accepting Sparrow, I think she's done with you. She feels like you are a coward who runs away like a fucking Cinderella when the clock strikes twelve. You abandoned her during her heat. She doesn't deserve the shit you have put her through.” 

Why was everyone on her side? Why didn't anyone see anything from my own point of view? Why the hell was she so impatient? I didn't understand her. It was as if she wanted me to mark her without getting to know her first. It was stupid to me.

I glared at the paper work and decided to change the topic. “What did Sparrow tell you about the rogue? Did he give any report or anything about other packs?”

Thea shrugged, his shoulders rising and falling in a nonchalant gesture. "He says the rogue's been quiet lately," He replied, his voice a soft murmur. "No attacks reported anywhere, apparently.”

I honestly didn't like the sound of that because it made the situation more daunting if they didn't do anything. I was concerned because it sounded like they were preparing for something bigger than a typical attack.

“I think Hazel seems to know something though, I told her about the witch the other day and she kind of said something. Then today, she mentioned something about being blessed by the moon goddess but she wouldn't say more about it,” Thea said quietly.

I froze. 

If she knew something, why wouldn't she speak up? It could save so many lives if she did. It made me very suspicious, and I suddenly felt determined to make her talk. 

I stood up and ran my finger through my hair. 

"Alright, let's hear her out. We'll need to gather more information before we decide on our next course of action. It's important to be informed before we make any significant decisions.”

Thea and Peter shared looks again which made me very annoyed. 

“What?” I snapped, giving them a harsh glares.

Thea rolled his eyes, “She’s not going to tell you anything. Why should she? To her, you are just an asshole who can't get his head out of his ass.”

I huffed.

Girls could be complicated. Thanks to the moon goddess I had enough sense never to pursue any irrelevant relationship. Their intricate emotions and unpredictable behaviors could have easily derailed my simple, focused life. It would have made my life much more complicated than it already was. 

Listen, we need to approach this situation with more tact," Thea began, his voice low and urgent. "Remember the last time she transformed? We grilled her like a criminal. That's not going to win her over. In fact, it's likely to drive her further away.”

“Look, you have to be nice to her. Don't just give her the third degree attitude. She would hate you even more,” Thea finally said. 

I took Thea’s words into consideration and nodded. 

“Alright, no third degree,” I muttered softly.

They nodded in satisfaction and followed me out of the room. Once we were outside, we all went out separate ways…