A strange fate

“M-Mate? There’s no way that’s possible,” Hazel stammered, stepping back. Her heart pounded. The Moon Goddess couldn’t have given her a new mate. Not after she almost died at Damien’s hands.

“Yes, mate,” Callan said simply, sipping from his glass of whiskey. His voice was deep, smooth, and almost amused.

Hazel shook her head. “No, that’s not possible.”

Callan tilted his head, watching her closely. Then, out of nowhere, he chuckled.

“Perhaps you’re right. After all, I have been mateless for centuries. And yet, you—” he suddenly burst into laughter.

Hazel narrowed her eyes. “What’s so funny?”

“The Moon Goddess,” Callan said, setting down his drink. He walked toward her slowly.

Hazel’s breath hitched. She stepped back instinctively. Her heart raced in her chest.

One step. Another.

He kept coming closer, and she kept retreating. Then, suddenly—

Her back hit the wall.

Callan bent down slightly, bringing his face level with hers. His scent—fresh pine, smoky leather, and something dangerously intoxicating—wrapped around her.

Hazel’s pulse roared in her ears. She should move, but her body refused.

His lips curved slightly. “I must say, I didn’t expect my mate to be so... jumpy.”

“I-I'm not jumpy,” Hazel muttered, barely managing to hold his gaze.

“Mm,” Callan hummed, clearly unconvinced. He lifted a brow. “Then why are you trembling?”

“I—I’m not trembling,” she insisted, even though she absolutely was.

He let out a low chuckle, his golden eyes gleaming. “You know, if you keep stuttering like that, I might start thinking you find me intimidating.”

Hazel swallowed. “I don’t.”

Callan smirked. “Liar.”

Hazel huffed, her cheeks heating. “You’re standing too close.”

He tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words. “Am I?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

He didn’t move. If anything, his gaze flickered down to her lips before meeting her eyes again. “You’re a cute one,” he murmured.

Hazel’s breath caught.

Then, just like that, he straightened, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Well, this has been entertaining.” He turned and walked away, leaving her frozen against the wall.

Hazel blinked. What just happened?

She stood frozen for a few seconds, her fingers curling against the wooden wall. Her wolf remained silent, buried deep within her, just like it had been since Damien’s betrayal. It was scared. She was scared.

Lady Celeste and Selena had done so much damage to her—physically and mentally. And now, the Moon Goddess had given her a new mate? A stranger? A dangerously handsome one?

Hazel exhaled sharply. No. This can’t be happening.

She turned and rushed out of the study. She needed to find him.

Hazel wandered through the hallways, searching for Callan, but he was nowhere to be found. Instead, she spotted the old maid who had taken care of her, dusting a shelf.

Hazel hesitated, then walked over. “Uh… thank you for taking care of me.”

The woman gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh dear, you scared me!”

“I’m so sorry, ma’am,” Hazel said quickly.

The woman laughed. “Call me Benny. Short for Benedicta.”

Hazel shifted awkwardly. “Okay… Ma’am—sorry, Benny.”

Benny gave her a kind smile. “Do you need something, dear?”

“Umm… not really,” Hazel mumbled. Then, after a pause, she admitted, “The conversation I had with the Alpha didn’t go well. And, uh… I think I should leave.”

Benny frowned. “Leave? Why? You just healed.”

“I’m fine,” Hazel said quickly. “The Alpha… I didn’t even get his name.”

“Alpha Callan,” Benny supplied. “And I didn’t get your name either.”

Hazel bit her lip. “Hazel. I’m an omega.” The last part slipped out automatically, like a habit.

Benny didn’t react, just smiled. “If you want to find Alpha Callan, check the garden.”

Hazel nodded. “Thank you.”

Benny returned to her dusting, and Hazel walked away.

The castle was alive with movement. Maids bustled about, carrying trays and linens. Warriors strode down the hallways, discussing patrol schedules. The place was bigger than she had realized, grand but not overly decorated.

She followed the scent of fresh flowers and damp earth until she reached a beautiful garden. The air smelled of roses and jasmine. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting golden patterns on the stone path.

Then she saw him.

Callan stood in the middle of the garden, his tall frame relaxed. But he wasn’t alone.

A stunning woman stood with him. Dark hair, golden skin, curves in all the right places. And Callan—

He was kissing her.

Hazel swallowed hard, forcing herself to look away. She needed to leave before they noticed her.

But her body refused to move.

Callan’s deep chuckle reached her ears, smooth and almost lazy. “You’re distracted,” the woman teased, running a manicured finger down his chest.

Callan hummed. “Not at all.”

Hazel’s breath caught. She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t care.

And yet, she did.

Her wolf stirred, an unfamiliar ache blooming in her chest.

The woman smirked and leaned in closer. “You’re in a good mood today. What changed?”

Callan exhaled through his nose, his lips twitching in amusement. “Fate is a funny thing.”

Hazel’s stomach twisted. Fate. Was he talking about her?

The woman giggled, tilting her head. “Are you toying with someone again?”

Callan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned slightly—just enough for his sharp, knowing gaze to lock onto Hazel’s.

Hazel’s heart stopped.

He knew.

And he wasn’t stopping.

Instead, his lips curled into a smirk against the woman’s mouth, a silent challenge in his eyes.

Hazel took a shaky step back.

Her presence wasn’t an accident. He wanted her to see this.

But why?

Her fists clenched at her sides, nails pressing into her palms. Heat burned in her cheeks, not just from embarrassment—but from something deeper.

A sharp, unexpected pain stabbed through her chest, like an invisible arrow piercing her heart.

Why did it hurt? hurts more than when Damien betrayed her, was the mate bond finally threatening to make her feel hurtful.

And why did it feel like betrayal when she barely knew him?

The air around her felt suffocating. Her wolf remained silent, but Hazel could feel its emotions—confused, hurt… jealous?