Xavier’s POV The delicate feel of her lips, how her warmth saturated deep inside me — it seemed as if my whole existence had been set ablaze. I had not planned to kiss her but I had to shut her mouth when she was boasting about me not marking her. The thought of her talking and smiling at Ethan still burns me with rage. She belongs to me. It wasn't just about the possessiveness that flooded through me. No, it was something more, it was deeper. I have never felt this way about anybody, not even when I had been with Zaria. Yet, with Hazel, it was unique.Her sweet scent filled my nostrils. My wolf stirred inside me, tearing to the surface, driven by the need to completely claim her. But then it happened.I felt her body strain — a rush of energy that wasn't hers flowed through her veins into mine and burned against me. I pulled back and I gazed at her eyes.Her ocean-blue eyes had changed. They were glowing, an unnatural, blazing red that appeared to hold mysteries older than time
Hazel's POV"Hazel! Hazel! Run!" the distressed voice of my mother rang in my ears. I opened my eyes to see mom's face pale white; a restless expression spread across her face. "What's going on, mom?" She hurriedly put my clothes into a small bag. Why are we packing? “We have to go?“ She didn’t bother responding to my questions. “What about Dad?“ I asked, but no answer followed; she was so focused on packing our things as quickly as possible. I still found it difficult to process what was happening but joined her regardless. I have never seen her panic this way before, so it has to be urgent. Just as we were about to leave, a knock was heard from the front door. Mom’s face immediately went dead at the sound. “I know you’re in there, Rose; do yourself a favor and surrender,” the voice spoke.Mom’s face searched the room before finally landing on the basement door. “Go in there, Hazel,” she said, pushing me. “Don’t open the door no matter what, okay?”“What’s going on, mom?” I co
Hazel's POV"Francis?" I called, my voice trembling as I crawled closer. His eyes were empty, yet I could see a trace of pain, longing to say something.This couldn't be happening.I stumbled backward as Francis's lifeless body fell. I reached out to call or at least check if he still had any life but nothing; his skin was ice cold, sending shivers down my spine. I frantically checked for a pulse, my fingers shaking against his wrist."No, no, no," I cried. I was so confused why everything was happening this way.First Mom, Dad, and now him.Suddenly, there were footsteps.Where are they going? I thought they had left. My heart raced at the thought of them coming back. Was it possible that they had also done this to Francis?"Hazel Myelin, you're under arrest for hereditary crimes of treason and the murder of your fated mate," the head guard growled, his club at the ready. "You'll face the council of elders and accept your judgment."What?My eyes widened.“I didn't kill Francis! By t
Xavier's POVI slowly opened my eyes, feeling tired after a long period of inactivity in hibernation. A joint cracking sound echoed as I stretched my muscles, shaking off lingering sleep and tiredness. I stood up, conducting a general check on my body. My tall, masculine physique commanded respect, striking fear into less confident males and captivating ladies. My gray eyes sparkled as I stroked my hair, thoughts flooding my mind.The Alpha crowning ceremony, scheduled for tomorrow, dominated my thoughts.I surveyed my surroundings, stepping out of my chair. The scent of damp earth and wildflowers filled my nostrils, stirring my senses. Power and dominance coursed through my veins.Too much of a ritual for six months... I wonder how the pack is doing now; in any case, we were still in safe hands prior to hibernation. "Kael!” I growled, my voice still husky from the long sleep. A young man appeared, his tall frame, blonde hair, and golden-brown eyes radiating charm.“Feel me in on w
Hazel's POVThe iron bars of the cell rattled as they dragged me roughly from the cold stoned floor. My wrists ached from the tight cuffs they had worn on my hands, the metal biting and tugging into my skin. I stumbled, catching myself against the wall, heart pounding with a mix of fear and anger at the same time.Get moving,” one of the guards barked, shoving me forward. I shot a defiant glare at him, but it didn't do so much as a sinister laughter followed. It was almost as if they enjoyed my helplessness, a traitor’s daughter in their grip under their absolute mercy.“Please listen to me. I didn't do anything. Francis was my mate. How could I kill him? I didn't do it. Someone must have set me up. Please listen to me." I begged uncontrollably, hopeful for at least some kind of sympathy.“Just give me a chance to prove to you that I'm telling the truth, please,” I cried. He raised an eyebrow, amused. “You think you deserve a say in this? You’re the daughter of traitors.”Daughter o
Xavier's POVThe sun hung low in the sky, casting it's shadows across the forest ground. I could feel the anticipation building in the air; the coronation was more than just a ritual—it was meant to be a display of power."Kael, gather the warriors and prepare for the gathering at Coldfire Forest," I commanded. The Coldfire Forest was a sacred place, the ground where all previous leaders were crown alpha and matched with their mate. It was the perfect place for my ascension as Alpha.“Yes, Alpha,” Kael replied with a bow before turning to leave. “One more thing,” I said, stopping him in his tracks. “make sure everyone is present, including the girl.”Kael’s eyes widened, he was about to protest but stopped. He knew better than to question me. With a final bow, he left.The whispers of the pack echoed in the forest—murmurs about the traitors, the murdered high standing officials, and the daughter left behind. Hazel Myelin. I smirked at the thought of her—a weak Omega, now involved
Hazel's POV I froze at the spot, my heart thumping fast. I couldn't tear my eyes away from his intense gaze. His silver-grey eyes held something that I didn't understand. Is it anger... or is it hunger? Seeing him on the royal platform with the crown, I already know who he is. Our new Alpha Xavier Dyon of the Golden Dawn pack. His presence held the power that I could feel even from the distance that separated us.I've heard rumors about his viciousness and ruthlessness in battle and how little he tolerated traitors and criminals. Even as the late Alpha's son, he has much more blood on his hands than all the Alphas of the other packs put together, as he never hesitates to eliminate anyone who commits any crime in the pack. His masculine, intimidating body build holds an authority that causes all the betas, omegas, and even Alphas from other packs to tremble at his presence. His cold grey eyes give people chills as they hold no expression of his thoughts. As I looked at him again, I
Hazel's POV I trembled in fear as he came near to me, his steps slow and precise. My heart thumps painfully fast in my chest as I await my judgment. This is the end! Is this how I'm going to die? The Alpha passing his judgment directly on me is too much for me to bear. I remembered the stories I heard of the gruesome ways he eliminates traitors in the pack.The horror stories that spread across the pack came rushing back. Alpha Xavier had once sentenced a traitor to a slow, painful death back when he was just the Alpha's son. The wolf has been torn apart, limb from limb. His carcass was left to rot in the forest as a warning to others.As he stood in front of me, I could feel his Alpha energy radiating from his body. It was so strong that it weakened me. I remained on my knees with my head bent to the earth in submission. I squeezed my eyes shut as I expected the worst. I stiffened as I awaited the judgment that he would pass unto me. I pray that he grants me a merciful death that
Xavier’s POV The delicate feel of her lips, how her warmth saturated deep inside me — it seemed as if my whole existence had been set ablaze. I had not planned to kiss her but I had to shut her mouth when she was boasting about me not marking her. The thought of her talking and smiling at Ethan still burns me with rage. She belongs to me. It wasn't just about the possessiveness that flooded through me. No, it was something more, it was deeper. I have never felt this way about anybody, not even when I had been with Zaria. Yet, with Hazel, it was unique.Her sweet scent filled my nostrils. My wolf stirred inside me, tearing to the surface, driven by the need to completely claim her. But then it happened.I felt her body strain — a rush of energy that wasn't hers flowed through her veins into mine and burned against me. I pulled back and I gazed at her eyes.Her ocean-blue eyes had changed. They were glowing, an unnatural, blazing red that appeared to hold mysteries older than time
Hazel's POV I thought of who could have sent the letter. Was it Elder Albert? The old man has never hidden the fact that he hates my gut. He wants me not only gone from the mansion but dead. Or is it Bianca? I remembered the spiteful way she had treated me yesterday. But why would she send a letter when she could threaten me face to face. Who could it be? I thought back on the locket, how it glowed when Alpha Xavier held it out to me. I have always thought of it as a trinket that holds the memory of my parents, nothing more. But why is it pulsing with energy?What were my parents hiding from me?My mind was restless till I finally fell asleep. *******Morning The knock on my door was sharp, intrusive, and unwanted. I winced, pulling the blankets tighter around myself. My restless night had left me feeling weak, the words in the letter still haunted me. Before I could muster the strength to respond, the door slammed open.It was Bianca. Who else?I rolled my eyes and pulled the b
Hazel's POVI sat at the edge of my bed unable to get over what happened today. The morning had started with Bianca ordering me around and treating me like a servant and then insisting that I serve at the Elder's meeting. It was a nightmare. I remembered how the elders attacked me with their accusations.I sighed in exhaustion, and lay on the bed, everything that happened today had really exhausted me— Elder Albert's accusations, the official's critical stares, Xavier's sudden defense of me. But why does he always defend me as if he possesses me even though he is cold towards me. A soft knock startled me. The door opened and he entered the room. "Hazel," his voice deep. "We have to talk."Alpha Xavier.I quickly got up from the bed, pulling my sheets up my chin to cover my transparent night gown. I was too shocked to see him here in my room. His presence filled the entrance, his broad shoulders shutting out the faint light coming in from the corridor. His grey eyes were scrutinizing
Xavier's POVI had called this meeting to discuss the rogue wolf I had caught and killed last night. It was an invasion into our territory that hadn't happened in a long time. I sat at my usual seat listening to my official's view about yesterday's outbreak but my focus was broken. My wolf had been restless since morning, pacing inside me, sensing something was off.Then I caught her scent— her soft and sweet scent. Hazel. My mate.I felt a sense of uneasiness sweeps through me. She's not supposed to be here. I could feel her distress as she opened the door and walked into the hall with her legs trembling. She bowed her head, causing her silver-white hair to fall over her pale face as if she were hiding her face. She carried a tray of wine glasses in her hands, her hands trembling slightly. I felt a pang of anger. She is not supposed to be working as a servant, she's my mate.This morning, I had ordered Marianna to be sent to the south pack house for disobeying my orders about the
Hazel's POV The atmosphere in the kitchen was choking as I worked hour after hour under Bianca's relentless supervision. The air was stuffy with steam and the sharp smell of soap. My hands stung from the soapy water. Bianca never missed a second to sneer, to scoff, and to put me in my place. "You're too sluggish, Hazel," she snapped. "Do you think Alpha Xavier will save you? Continue to dream."I didn't answer, I just kept doing the work she gave me. Answering her would just stir up her anger, and right at this point, I'm too exhausted to even consider fighting back. Instead, I kept my head down, scrubbing the pot I had been dealing with for what felt like hours.But, the others weren't so quiet. I could hear them as they mocked me. "She believes she's special now that she's mated to the Alpha," one of the servants said, raising her voice loud enough for me to hear."Special?" another one jeered."She's only a stain on his name. A traitor's daughter and a murderer. Nobody will ever
Xavier's POV The silence in my study felt unnatural, squeezing against me as I replayed the event of the night in my mind. The rogue wolf's intrusion into my territory was definitely not a coincidence. It had been too determined, his movement was too exact. He hadn't intruded into my territory by some coincidence — somebody had sent him. But why? And most importantly who?I sat in my study, leaning back on my seat as I thought about it, trying to make sense of it. The weak fragrance of debris blood still lingered on the air, an indication of the intruder's short presence and the battle that followed. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, my senses at its peak. My gaze tumbled to the silver locket lying on the desk before me. It looked like an ordinary locket, however I wasn't tricked. I'd taken it from Hazel last night before the intrusion. She had grasped it firmly, as though it were her life, and the look in her eyes when I'd pulled it from her hold still haunted me. That wasn't s
Hazel's POV I find it hard to sleep, the fear of Alpha Xavier's threat gripped me as I turned it over and over in my mind. My mind swirled with fear and uncertainty of what he plans to do with me tomorrow.Is he going to throw me back into the dungeon? Or is he finally going to execute me? Wild thoughts came popping into my mind, thoughts that made me shiver with fear.What about Marianna?I hope I hadn't gotten her into trouble. She has only been good to me. I wouldn't want her to suffer because of me. I couldn't rest, my mind was troubled with wild imaginations of what might happen. It was already dawn before I finally dozed off. After what seemed like an hour, a faint knock on the door jolted me awake. It's morning already. I yawned as I stretched my sore body. Still feeling sleepy due to lack of enough sleep, I called out, still yawning "Come in."I couldn't wait to see Marianna after what happened last night. My heart beats with anticipation as the door opens. But instead of
Xavier's POV I watched as Kael dragged her away. I clenched my fist trying to control myself as her delicious scents filled the air. The candlelight had highlighted her slim figure underneath the nightwear that she had on.When her silver white hair had fallen across her face, I wanted to reach out and --"Control yourself" I growled to myself, resisting my wolf's urges. I hadn't ordered the curfew for nothing. I had gotten information from my most trusted source that a spy was in our midst. I had planned a patrol with Kael to catch the culprit and here she was--the daughter of traitors lurking around in the midnight, holding her parents' locket. I flipped open the locket again and turned it over. It looks old and rusty, except for the pictures of the traitors looking back at me, it seems like an ordinary locket but something tells me otherwise. "Should I ask Kael to post extra guards outside her room?" Beta Marcus said as he emerged out of the shadows. "That won't be necessary.
Hazel's POVSweat broke on my forehead as I paced all over the little room, my mind disturbed.It seemed like forever before I finally heard a delicate knock on my door. I immediately shot towards the door and Marianna beckoned me quietly, holding a little candle in her right hand.The house was grave quiet, I tried as much as I could to walk softly behind her. We got down to the waste burning pit where Marianna disposed of my torn garments and necklace."We must be fast," she murmured, looking carefully behind her. "If anybody catches us here… ""I know, I'll try to be fast" I mumbled, lifting up my long dress with my hands so that I can walk quicker.The place was dark and the air was thick with the smell of ashes."Start searching for it now, be quick," she whispered sharply, when we arrived there.Dropping down on my hands and knees, I filtered through the heap of trash carefully. Then I saw it, my torn dress lay close to the top, I turned it over, tensely looking for the locket.