Chapter Seven – Zander Astros's Ultimatum

Hazel’s POV 

Before Granny could react, Aunt Carmen rushed into my room, bursting with excitement. “Alpha Zander is on his way here!” 

I almost fell to the floor. “What? But why?” I panicked at the thought of facing him. What could be his urgency that he couldn’t wait for me to visit him?

“To talk to you.” I was still bursting with curiosity, but Aunt Carmen and Granny had other plans for welcoming our guests. In the next thirty minutes, they churned up delicacies in the kitchen to serve the lucky alpha. I stood at the door, watching their enthusiasm with a feeling of dread clutching at my heart. “Why do you need so much food for one?” 

“His Beta, Mitchell, and Stuart are accompanying him. I’ll leave with Stuart. You can come over to Windcrest Village later.” My mouth hung open at the suddenness of everything. 

“Yes, don’t worry. We’ll be there in a week,” assured Granny while I looked from one to the other. 

“Wait a minute. I thought we were about to talk to the Alpha first. When did we decide to join them?” I hated when someone forced me to do something I didn’t wish to. 

“We did when you had left home and I met my mate. I couldn’t leave Mom here all alone or ignore the second chance I got. What choice did I have?” said Aunt Carmen, and I sighed. She was right. I hadn’t ever thought of the possibility of Aunt Carmen meeting her mate and moving out. 

“You don’t have to commit to Alpha Zander right away. You can take your time and pursue your education first,” said Granny and I smiled, loving the idea immensely. It gave me the excuse I needed. Maybe I would accept his offer temporarily and get myself enrolled in a good university in Fairbanks. That way, I wouldn’t have to live with the Windcrest Pack in their territory. 

Therefore, I felt better when the doorbell buzzed. I was prepared with my escape plan. Aunt Carmen opened the door to welcome our guests. From my room, I peered through the gap in the door to check them out. I had seen Alpha Zander only once, but not his companions. Alpha Zander strode inside our house, his eyes seeking me out straightway. I gasped and hid behind the door. How did he sense my presence in my room? His tall, muscular frame filled the foyer and his cold gray eyes locked with mine again when I peered. 

“It’s such an honor to have you here, Alpha. Please come inside,” said Aunt Carmen. 

“Where are the others?” asked Alpha Zander, his gaze still on me.

“Granny is in the kitchen. I’ll call her.” Alpha Zander shook his head and took a step towards my room. I immediately stepped back to calm my jumpy nerves. It was better to meet him outside than in my room. 

“Call Hazel too. I’ll talk to both.” 

“Sure, please be seated. I’ll call her.” Thankfully, he accepted her suggestion and went into the living room. 

Aunt Carmen greeted another male who looked like a doctor. I realized he was her mate when he gave her a brief hug before following her to the living room. The third guest, the beta, was older than both Zander and Stuart and looked uncomfortable in our house. Granny emerged from the kitchen with drinks and I sighed, knowing it was time to face the inevitable. 

“Hazel, help me,” said Aunt Carmen as I went out of my room reluctantly. I avoided eye contact with the Alpha and escaped to the dining room to lay the table. 

“Please join us for lunch. We can discuss everything afterward,” said Granny. 

“I want to talk to your granddaughter in private, Erika.” My heartbeats raced in apprehension and I glanced at Aunt Carmen. We could distinctly hear their conversation from the dining room. 

“Relax. I’m sure he just wants to know you,” comforted Aunt Carmen when I overheard my granny accepting his wish. 

“Sure. I’ll just call her.” Before Granny could call me, I saw him at the door of the dining room. 

“Can I have a word with you before I leave?” he said, his unwavering gaze sweeping over me. I hated him for intruding into my personal space. 

“You can tell me here.” Aunt Carmen went out of the room, leaving me with the stranger.

“Can we sit down?” He gestured towards the chair and I eased onto it. He pulled the chair nearby and sat down. 

“What is it about?” I couldn’t help the curiosity bubbling inside me. I couldn’t understand his urgency to meet me. When Aunt Carmen and Granny had already agreed to join his pack, why did he need to see me?

“Don’t you feel a thing about me? Don’t you feel the mate bond pulling us together?” I sat frozen for a minute, trying to understand what he had just said. What mate bond was he talking about? I shared a mate bond with only Stavros. He was my fated mate. Even after his rejection, I couldn’t sever the connection between us. 

“No, I don’t feel a thing. My fated mate is and will be Stavros Petrakis, the one I love. There cannot be another in my life. I’m sure you’re mistaken, Alpha. We share nothing. Is this what you wanted to talk about?” I was about to get up when he grabbed my hand to stop me. 

“No, I’m not at all mistaken. Your fated mate has rejected you, right?” I extricated my hand from his hold and glared at him, anger boiling in my veins. Even if Stavros had rejected me, I wasn’t looking for another. I didn’t want to encourage him at all. 

“Yes, he did, but I’m not looking for another mate. No one can replace Stavros in my heart. I love him and I always will. You’re wasting your time after me, Alpha.” I rose to leave, not having any wish to listen to his mate theory. I felt no connection to him whatsoever. 

“Your denying the mate bond between us won’t change a thing. Maybe you share a stronger bond with your fated mate, but that doesn’t negate what we share. A wolf can have more than one mate. Even if you don’t acknowledge me as your mate, I will always take care of you, Hazel. That’s why I want you to move to Windcrest Village with us. Now that your granny and aunt are joining our pack, I can’t allow you to live here alone. An unmated rogue’s life isn’t safe for you at all.” 

I sighed and turned to face him. I had to address the issue for the last time. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t be staying here all by myself. I’ll enroll myself in a college in Fairbanks and stay on the campus for the next four years at least.”

He gaped at me for a few minutes, as if my announcement had shocked him. “Which university?” 

I shrugged, not having decided yet. “Let’s see.” 

He sprang from his seat furiously and blocked my escape. “Fine. You have four years to educate yourself, Hazel. After that, I’ll seek you out and claim you as mine. Remember that.” 

He stormed out of the room and house while I blinked, feeling totally confused by his declaration. Why was he pursuing a non-existent mate bond between us? How could he feel something I couldn’t? 

His parting shot echoed in my head, filling me with dread. Would he remember his promise after four years? I hoped not. 

I felt relieved that he left me alone for four years. I would escape to a place far away from here after four years. However, my relief was short-lived as Aunt Carmen came inside the dining room with a disapproving look on her face. 

“What happened? What did you say to Alpha Zander? Why did he leave?” 

“Nothing much. I just told him I was going away to Fairbanks for four years. I would live on the campus and get my dream degree.” Aunt Carmen shook her head with disappointment. 

“When did you decide that? Why do you have to live in a dorm room when Windcrest is just twenty minutes away?” I was tired of the topic and faced her once and for all. 

“Just to avoid Alpha Zander. He feels we share a mate bond, but I can’t feel any between us. I still love Stavros, and I always will.” I walked away to my room to check out the university farthest from Windcrest Village. 

Throughout the time, I could feel them enjoying outside with Stuart Fleming, but I didn’t join them. I knew my family was furious with my decision to leave, but nothing could make me join the Windcrest Pack. I was a Lucerian and I would always remain so. 

I chose the Early Education Program at the prestigious University of Fairbanks, which was quite far from Windcrest Village. It was impossible for me to commute daily. After applying for the course, I felt relieved and went out to bond with Aunt Carmen’s mate. After all, he was now a part of the family. 

After a fortnight, I completed all the admission formalities and moved to the university campus. My parents and grandpa had left me enough money to get myself educated. Maybe I would get a part-time job after I settled down. My granny and aunt Carmen joined Windcrest Pack and settled down in their territory. 

I didn’t meet Alpha Zander after that fateful night, but Granny informed me how he arranged for a house for her to stay in. She was already singing praises of him for taking good care of her. I was indebted to him, but that didn’t mean I would ever accept him as my mate.