Chapter 3

Aiden's Point of View

Another dead end.

I stand in the mouth of the cave, the dim light from outside barely reaching the smooth, empty walls. No scent, no markings, no trace of Hazel. Just silence and dust.

Frustration coils tight in my chest as I take another slow step inside, scanning the empty space, searching for something, anything, that might tell me she was here. But there’s nothing. Just cold stone and wasted time.

I exhale sharply through my nose, my jaw clenching as I turn on my heel.

Damn it.

I kick a loose rock, watching it skitter across the ground before clattering against the far wall. The sound echoes in the hollow space, mocking me. I’ve searched countless places, followed every lead, but she keeps slipping through my fingers. Three months of chasing shadows, of tracking a ghost who doesn’t want to be found.

I rake a hand through my hair as I step back into the light, the fresh afternoon air a stark contrast to the stale nothingness of the cave.

My truck is parked just down the dirt path, dust still clinging to the tires from the last hunt.

I move towards it, my boots crunching against gravel, my mind racing.

Where the hell are you, Hazel?

I climb into my truck, slamming the door shut behind me harder than necessary. Frustration courses through me, tightening my grip on the steering wheel. Another cave. Another dead end. Not a single trace of Hazel, no remnants of magic, no footprints, nothing. It’s as if she’s a ghost, always one step ahead, always slipping through my fingers.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I grab the worn map from the passenger seat. The paper is creased and smudged from months of use, the red Xs marking each failed attempt standing out like scars. I stare at the newest mark, the ink still fresh from the marker I just used. Three months. Three months of searching, chasing shadows, and turning up with nothing but disappointment.

I drag a hand through my hair, my exhaustion weighing on me. How much longer can I keep this up? But giving up isn’t an option, not when I made a promise to Drake, to Nicole, to myself. I will find Hazel.

Shaking off the doubt, I scan the map for the next location. My eyes land on a cave roughly a day's drive from here. It’s remote, deeper into the mountains, further off the beaten path than the others. If Hazel is hiding, a place like that would make sense.

Folding the map, I toss it onto the passenger seat and reach for the keys in the ignition. The engine roars to life, the familiar rumble grounding me for a brief moment. I take another deep breath, gripping the wheel tightly.

One more cave. One more chance.

With that, I shift the truck into gear and head towards the unknown, determined to find the witch who has eluded me for far too long.

I’ve been driving for hours, the road stretching endlessly before me, but now I have to stop. The gas gauge hovers near empty, and my stomach grumbles, reminding me that I haven’t eaten since early this morning.

Spotting a small, rundown gas station on the side of the road, I pull in next to pump one. The place is quiet, with only one other car parked near the entrance. A few flickering lights buzz above the store’s entrance, casting a dull glow on the cracked pavement.

I step out of the truck, stretching my legs before grabbing the pump and filling up the tank. The cool evening air brushes against my skin, a brief moment of relief from the heat inside the truck. Once the tank is full, I place the nozzle back, screw the cap on, and head inside.

The store is small, with aisles packed tightly together. The air smells like coffee and something fried, probably from the hot food section near the register. I wander through the store, grabbing a bottle of water, a sandwich from the refrigerated section, and a few more snacks to last me through the long drive ahead.

When I reach the register, the cashier, a woman with bright red lipstick and kind eyes, flashes me a warm smile. "Will this be all for you today?" she asks, scanning my items.

I return her smile, nodding my head. "Yes, thank you. I also filled up my truck at pump one."

She nods her head and quickly rings everything up. I hand her the cash, grab my bag, and make my way back to the truck.

As I settle into the driver’s seat, reaching for the keys in the ignition, my phone vibrates in my pocket. The sudden sound makes my heart jump, my mind instantly flashing to the worst case scenario.

Pulling it out, I glance at the screen. Drake.

A pit forms in my stomach. I hope everything is okay.

Swiping the screen, I bring the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

Drake’s voice comes through, steady but laced with something unspoken. "Aiden. How are you?"

Relief washes over me, at least he doesn’t sound panicked. "I’m fine, thanks. Is everything okay back home?"

A brief silence follows, and I grip the steering wheel tighter. Then Drake speaks again. "Have you made any lead way in finding Hazel?"

I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. "No, not yet. I’m on my way to another cave right now. What’s wrong, Drake? I know you, you wouldn’t call for no reason. Something must have happened. Do you need me to come home?"

This time, Drake’s response is immediate, his voice firm. "No, don’t come home. But yes, something has happened." Another pause, and then... "Nicole is pregnant."

For a moment, I just sit there, stunned. Then a wide grin spreads across my face. "That’s great news! Congratulations, Drake!"

"Thank you," Drake says, but there’s a weight in his tone that doesn’t match the excitement of the moment.

I frown. "You don’t sound happy about it."

"I am happy," Drake says quickly. "Extremely happy. But at the same time, I can’t shake this feeling in my chest. As long as Hazel is out there with that stone, Nicole will never be safe. And neither will our baby. Any time someone tries to break the curse, they’ll come for Nicole."

The weight of his words settles over me like ice. He’s right. That stone is too powerful, and Hazel will do anything to protect it. If anyone tries to challenge her, Nicole, and now the baby, will be targets.

My jaw tightens, a new determination settling in my chest. Nicole is one of my closest friends. I refuse to let anything happen to her or that child.

"Drake," I say, my voice low and resolute, "I promise you, I’ll find her. I won’t let anything happen to Nicole or that baby."

Drake exhales heavily, and even though I can’t see him, I know this moment means as much to him as it does to me.

"Be careful, Aiden," he says. "We’re all counting on you."

I grip the phone tightly before nodding my head, even though he can’t see me. "I won’t fail."

With that, I end the call, toss my phone onto the passenger seat, and take a deep breath. Then I start the engine, pull onto the road, and continue towards the next cave feeling even more determined now then ever to find Hazel.

The hum of the truck's engine fills the quiet night as I drive down the empty stretch of road, my thoughts still lingering on my conversation with Drake. The weight of my promise to him presses heavy on my shoulders. I grip the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. I have to find Hazel.

Reaching for my water bottle, I take a deep sip, hoping the cold liquid will settle the restless energy coursing through me. But before I can even place the bottle back in the cupholder, my phone starts ringing again.

I glance at the glowing screen on the passenger seat, Colton. My pulse quickens. He wouldn’t call unless it was important.

Snatching up the phone, I bring it to my ear. "Hello, Colton. Is everything okay?"

His voice is sharp, urgent. "She’s back. The witch just showed up at her cottage."

My entire body tenses. Hazel.

For a split second, I freeze, my heart slamming against my ribs. "Are you sure?" I manage to get out.

Colton doesn’t hesitate. "Yes. It’s definitely her."

My mind snaps into focus, adrenaline flooding my veins. This is it. After three months of dead ends, of caves leading nowhere, of chasing whispers and shadows, this is finally a real lead.

"Send me the coordinates. I’m on my way."

The moment Colton confirms, I end the call and pull off to the side of the road. A second later, my phone buzzes with the incoming location. I tap the screen, my eyes locking onto the map.

Two hours away.

In the opposite direction.

I don’t waste another second. Shoving the truck back into gear, I spin the wheel and make a sharp U turn, the tires kicking up dust and gravel. My foot presses hard against the gas pedal, my truck roaring forward, headlights slicing through the darkness.

My heart pounds with a mix of determination and anticipation.

I’m coming for you, Hazel.

***

The truck skids to a stop, gravel crunching beneath the tires as I kill the engine. My hands grip the steering wheel tightly, my pulse hammering in my ears. This is it. The coordinates led me here, Hazel’s home.

A small cottage stands before me, nestled among the trees, its weathered wood and warm glow almost too peaceful for the storm raging inside me. I don’t waste a second.

I throw the door open and step out, my boots hitting the ground hard. Every muscle in my body is tense as I move towards the house, my instincts screaming at me to hurry. The front door is open, not a good sign. My heart pounds harder as I reach for the handle, pushing it the rest of the way.

The moment I step inside, my eyes lock onto her.

She’s sitting on the floor at the far wall, surrounded by old books and parchment, her bright red hair falling over her face as she pores over something. But the second she senses me, she’s on her feet, turning to face me.

And then... The scent hits me.

Warmth, wild magic, something intoxicatingly hers. It slams into me like a punch to the gut, knocking the air from my lungs. The room tilts, my vision narrowing until all I can see is her.

Even before our eyes meet, I know.

She is mine.

My mate.

A low growl rumbles deep in my chest, raw and instinctive, the wolf inside me rising to the surface in an instant. My hands clench at my sides as I fight the sudden, overwhelming urge to reach for her. To claim. To touch.

The word slips from my lips before I can stop it, deep and rough with emotion.

"Mate."