DIVORCE DISCORD

 Hazel's POV

 The cold night breeze brushed against my bruised wrist as I pressed my back against the frame of my bed. Clutching my stomach, I felt a sharp, raw pain hitting my insides as I remained paralyzed on the cold marble floor, unable to feel my legs. With little strength to scream, I only whispered to myself. “Is this how I am going to die? Mateless and a virgin.”

 My vision was blurry, and I was finding it pretty difficult to sniff out a thing. I felt like my nostrils were blocked, causing the air to feel dry. 

I could only hear my heart beating fast against my rib cage; the feeling was starting to make my chest hurt so bad because it felt like it was going to burst any moment. Beads of sweat slid down my forehead as I struggled to control my breath. I wasn't healing. 

The vicious-looking man strolled down to where I was and kneeled; our eyes met, and I could sense the cold and burning hate in them. Who could he be? An Assassin? Or perhaps one of my fathers sworn enemies?

 His dead voice jerked me back to reality; I was about to die. He stretched out his hands and caressed my cheeks softly. “I just need to save my family, Hazel," he uttered with a breathy voice. My eyes popped open, astonished at his words. And how does he know my name? I had no strength to ask him about what he meant, so I just stayed put, giving him room to explain.

 “She said if I could bring her your head, then my daughter would be safe and we would never go hungry again,” he explained, showing me the dagger in his hand. 

My breath was slow, but I forced myself to speak up. My eyes staring intently at him, I said, “Please! Don't kill me, I beg you." Warm tears dropped from my eyes.

 He tightened his grip on the dagger in his hand and charged at me. At that moment, panic set in, and my body needed to fight. I grabbed hold of his hand. We both struggled with the dagger, as its edge was only a few inches apart from my chest. 

"Please!” I cried, still hoping that someone would at least come to save me. Even though I knew my chances were slim, a part of me still hopped. 

“I'm sorry, but you need to die.” A tear dropped from his eyes before he hit my stomach hard. Swiftly clasping his hands over my mouth.

 “Mmmmph!” I growled, trying to break free. My visions blurred once more, and my lungs burned from lack of air. Hot tears slipped down my eyes as I painfully accepted my faith.

 Just as I felt the rush of death knocking at my doorsteps, the weight on me shifted, and the pressure on my chest eased. I gasped for breath, my eyes landed on the attacker laying lifeless beside me. 

A figure stood before me, with his back facing me. He slowly turned around, and our eyes met; for a moment, time froze. As I stared at him, distracted by his cold gaze on me, darkness closed in, and everything went black.   

   The warm glow of sunlight streaming through my room windows shone against my face, causing me to grumble and open them sluggishly. I lazily ran my eyes around my surroundings and realized that I was still in my room.

 The memories of last night's attack flashed through my head, making my heart skip a beat. I struggled to sit up; my back now rested on a pillow behind my back. My eyes landed on the white bandages wrapped around my wrist and forehead. 

I could still smell the stinch of my blood floating through the air. I curled my hand into a fist and burst into silent sobs. This is not the first time I was almost killed. But last night, I felt like it was going to be my last.

 My room door creaked open, and my father, the alpha of our pack, rushed to my side. I batted my eyelids rapidly to fight back the tears and sniffed. He sat down beside me, his expression etched with concern. 

“Hazel, my flower, I'm here now.” My father's gentle voice filled the room. I stared at his wrinkled face that was giving in to old age, and that alone made my heart bleed.

 Who was going to protect me if this happened again? Without hesitating, I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face into his long hair that now had white strands outgrowing the black. 

“I was so petrified. Father, I would rather not sleep here anymore,” I wailed, refusing to let go. He patted my back softly and sniffed.

 Ever since my mother died, he has been the one protecting me. He always told me I'm special, but that's all he has ever told me. No one would tell me about my mother too. Although I was told she had died in her sleep. It tore my father apart, and some members of the pack constantly tried to make him look bad in front of the other counselors.

 I'm being watched every day of my life, and last night's incident was my cue that even the soldiers of our pack couldn’t guarantee my safety. Or no one is to be trusted.

 “Someone really wants me dead,” I said calmly before letting go of my father. My eyes sank as I stared at my fingers, wondering who I had wronged. I just want to live a happy life with my father, and now this. 

Someone's behind this, but who? Is someone trying to kill me since I'm the only heir of my father, so they ascend the throne and be the new Alpha? So many questions, but I just couldn't derive a good answer. 

He placed his rough hands on mine and caressed it softly. My eyes were on him now. “I know all this is too much for you, but I want to assure you that as long as I'm alive,” he paused, his voice firm. “I won't let a single soul hurt you ever again.” I nodded quickly, unable to fight back the tears dropping from my eyes. 

“I arranged a bodyguard to protect you,” he announced, with a reassuring smile dancing across his lips. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

 “Who?”“A man.” His tone was steady.

 “Someone with special skills. Although he is a rogue, he is the right man for the job.” 

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. A rogue for a bodyguard? The thought alone sent fear and curiousity souring through my veins. No one dared to even be seen with Rogues, as they were considered outcasts, unwanted wastes, cast aside by their pack.

 "What's his name?” I asked, whipping off my tears. My father's expression turned cold. 

“Its name is Remy Thayer Valentin.”

 I swallowed the lump on my throat and jumped out of bed. “What?! There's no way a loose dog of a man would be my bodyguard. Who knows if I would die by his hands?” I spat, trying to climb down from my bed.

 “Hazel, my flower. Please! Calm down.” My father pleaded, trying to make me reason.

 “What happened to not trusting anyone?”

 He placed his palm on his forehead and sighed. “I know, my love. I had no choice.”

 I sat down with my back facing him. “Why him?” 

“Because, Hazel, you're not safe yet. And I figured he is the kind of man to give his life in place of yours,” he explained.

 Father stood up and made his way for the door. He paused the moment he grabbed the golden doorknob and turned around. “The young man's here to see you. I'll leave you two.” And with that, he walked out.