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Chapter 3

Hazel’s POV

Two months.

That was how long it had been since my life fell apart, Two months since everyone believed I had shamelessly seduced Alan, Two months since he looked at me with nothing but disappointment.

Since that day, Father had not allowed me to step outside the house.

He said I had stained the family’s name and that I would remain inside until he decided I had suffered enough.

I had become a prisoner in the very house I grew up in, every day was the same, wake up before sunrise, sweep the house, wash clothes, scrub the floors, clean every room, prepare breakfast, wash the the dishes.

Then start preparing lunch. By the time night came, my entire body would ache. Still, no one cared.

If Violet wasn’t satisfied with something, she made sure I did it all over again.

She seemed to enjoy watching me suffer.

I was rinsing vegetables in the kitchen when I heard a familiar voice coming from outside. “Alan.”

My hands froze, I knew that voice, I slowly looked toward the kitchen window.

A few seconds later, I heard the front door open.

Violet’s cheerful laughter filled the house. “You’re finally here.”

“I said I would come, didn’t I?” Alan replied with a small laugh.

“I missed you.”

“I’ve only been away for a few days.”

“A few days is still too long.”

Their laughter drifted through the house.

I lowered my head and continued washing the vegetables, I had promised myself I wouldn’t let them affect me anymore.m. By every time I heard them together… My heart still hurt.

“Hazel!” Violet called loudly.

I quickly dried my hands and walked into the living room

Shewas sitting very close to Alan on the sofa. Their shoulders touched as she smiled brightly at him.

The sight made my chest tighten.

Violet looked at me with the same proud smile she always wore whenever Alan was around. “Alan is staying for lunch.”

I nodded quietly.

“Go and prepare something delicious,” she continued. “I want today’s meal to be perfect.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and don’t disappoint me this time.”

“I won’t.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “You may go.”

I turned around and quietly walked back to the kitchen.

The moment I stepped inside, I let out a slow breath.

I leaned against the wall for a second before forcing myself to move.

There was too much work to doc I gathered the fresh vegetables and began chopping them.

The knife moved steadily across the wooden board.

Slice, slice, slice .

From the living room, I could still hear their conversation.

Violet laughed almost every minute, she wasn’t even trying to lower her voice.

I wondered if she wanted me to hear them, mahbe she did, maybe she enjoyed reminding me that Alan would never belong to me.

I pushed the thought away and focused on the food, I seasoned the meat carefully before placing it over the fire.

Then I started preparing the soup, the heat from the stove quickly filled the kitchen.

Sweat rolled down my forehead, I wiped it away and continued stirring.

The smell of the food should have made me hungry.

Instead, it made my stomach twist, I hadn’t eaten since the previous evening.

There hadn’t been enough food left after everyone else finished eating. I was used to it.

At least… That was what I kept telling myself.

I reached for another bowl, my hand suddenly trembled.

The bowl slipped slightly before I caught it.

I frowned. Why was my hand shaking?

I took a deep breath. Maybe I was just tired.

I picked up the cooking spoon and stirred the soup again.

The room suddenly felt hotter, much hotter.

I loosened my apron a little.

It didn’t help, the kitchen began spinning slowly around me.

I blinked several times. No!

It wasn’t the kitchen, It was me.

I grabbed the edge of the table.

My breathing became heavier, my heartbeat sounded strangely loud inside my ears.

I tried taking another step, my legs refused to cooperate.

Everything became blurry.

The sound of Violet’s laughter echoed faintly from the living room.

Then… Silence. The spoon slipped from my hand, It hit the floor with a loud clang, I tried to bend down to pick it up.

Instead, my knees gave way beneath me. No… Not now… Please…before my body could hit the floor, a pair of strong arms caught me.

The sudden warmth startled me, I slowly opened my heavy eyes. Alan.

He was holding me tightly against his chest, his brows were drawn together with worry.

“Hey?” His voice sounded uncertain. “What happened to you?”

Before I could answer, footsteps hurried into the kitchen.

Violet stopped at the doorway.

The moment she saw me in Alan’s arms, her face darkened. “Oh, for goodness’ sake.” She folded her arms. “Put her down.”

Alan looked at her. “I think she fainted.”

Violet let out a small scoff. “No, she didn’t.”

She walked closer and looked down at me. “She’s pretending.”

Alan frowned. “Pretending?”

“Of course.” Violet shrugged carelessly. “She’s been doing this ever since that incident. She wants everyone to pity her.”

I wanted to speak. I wanted to tell him she was lying bby my lips wouldn’t move.

My entire body felt weak. Alan looked down at my pale face again.

Something inside him became restless.

His wolf stirred uneasily.

Help her.

The feeling came so suddenly that he almost stepped back.

He frowned. Why?

He didn’t understand, he still believed she had betrayed Violet.

He shouldn’t care yet his wolf refused to calm down.

Instead, it pushed harder.

Don’t let her suffer.

Alan gently touched my forehead.

His expression immediately changed. “She’s burning up.”

Violet rolled her eyes. “She’s acting.”

“No.” His voice was firm this time. “This isn’t an act.”

He looked at me again.

My face had become frighteningly pale.

Even my breathing was uneven. “I think she needs a doctor.”

Violet sighed impatiently. “You’re worrying over nothing.”

Alan didn’t answer, his wolf growled again inside him.

Without another word, he slid one arm beneath my knees and the other behind my back.

Then he lifted me into his arms. “Alan!” Violet exclaimed.

“Where are you taking her?”

“To the pack doctor.”

“But… If she’s pretending, the doctor will tell us.”

He didn’t wait for another response.

Holding me securely against his chest, he walked out of the kitchen, leaving Violet standing there with anger burning in her eyes.