Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Hazel’s POV

My heart slammed against my ribs when Lucas said the words. Drake. My mate was Drake. For the first time in forever, something good punched through all the crap in my life.

A real smile broke across my face, the kind that made my cheeks hurt. Drake. The guy who always listened when I spilled about my mom, who sat with me after bad shifts and didn’t push. Beta family, solid.

Nice hands, steady eyes, and yeah, he dressed like he actually gave a damn.

I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him tight, breathing in that clean scent of his. “Drake. I can’t believe it’s you.”

He hugged me back, but it felt wrong. Stiff arms, like he was somewhere else. He pulled away quickly and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I gotta handle something real fast. I’ll catch you later.” Then he was gone, boots echoing down the hall.

I stood there blinking. That hug didn’t feel like a mate’s hug. Too quick, too cold. But I shoved the thought down hard. I wanted this too much to poke at it.

Drake was a good person. He’d always been nice. This was just nerves or pack stuff. Lucas looked off too, shoulders tight, eyes flicking away. Probably because neither of them had found their own mates yet. I touched Lucas’s arm.

“Hey, you two are strong male soldiers. The pack and clan will still value you. They know what you bring to the fight.”

He gave a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah. Thanks, Hazel.”

I left the Academy buzzing, legs light for once. Straight to the club. Nana was elbow-deep in dishes when I burst into the kitchen. “Nana, I found him. My mate. It’s Drake.”

Her whole face lit up. She dropped the rag and pulled me into one of those bone-crushing hugs that fixed pieces of me I didn’t know were broken.

“My girl. Finally.” She stepped back, eyes shiny, and pressed five hundred dollars into my palm. The bills were warm from her pocket.

“Buy something beautiful for the mating festival Friday. You need to look your best, baby. Shine like you deserve.”

I hugged her back fierce , throat tight. “Thank you so much, Nana. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She waved me off but smiled big. “Get to work before I cry all over my soup.”

The shift flew by.

Every order felt lighter. I caught myself smiling at strangers. For the first time in years, the future didn’t scare me.

I floated through orders, the money burning a hole in my apron. Drake. A home. Someone who knew my shit and still wanted me.

When I went back home ,my mother was standing in the mansion’s wine cellar, one hand resting on her stomach as she lazily swirled a glass of red wine.

“Why are you drinking when you’re pregnant?” I asked, keys still in my hand.

She didn’t even look up. “Mind your business. It’s just a glass.”

I couldn’t let it go. Not tonight. “Guess what? I got a mate. He’s a Beta soldier ,my friend from the Academy. I’m so lucky.”

She rolled her eyes and took another sip. “Fated mates only happen to the lucky ones. One in a million. It’s not a big deal. You’ll grow up and realize men are shit. Get what you can from them and live your own life.”

Anger flared hot in my chest. “Why can’t you be happy for me? For once in your life?”

She set the glass down hard. “I’m traveling to Italy tomorrow. I need to go far away, get care from the best healer for this pregnancy. Won’t be here for the mating ceremony.”

The words landed like bricks. “Why can’t you stay just one more day? For me?”

“Don’t worry. I got some lingerie for you. You’re not a virgin, you know what to do.” She stood up, a little unsteady.

I almost cried right there. “I have no memories of what happened those nights. I don’t know what to do.”

“Then get drunk or high. I hope your mate has some balls.” She grabbed her coat and left me standing in the middle of the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

I shook my head, fists clenched. One more day and I’d start thinking of my own family. My own life.

Next morning the apartment was empty. No note, no nothing. Just gone. I spent the day trying to figure out my hair, my outfit, anything to keep busy. Screw it. I’d wear what she left. Drake had seen me in worse. We were friends first. It shouldn’t matter.

That night I stayed up late, laptop open, watching p**n with the volume low.

My face burned but I forced myself to pay attention. I didn’t want to disgrace him. Didn’t want to look stupid on the most important night of my life. I practiced touches on my own skin, awkward and mechanical, trying to memorize what might feel good. Sleep came late and restless.

Friday hit. I slipped into the lingerie first. It wasn’t cheap crap. Smooth, expensive fabric that hugged my body like it was made for trouble. Then the little emerald green dress. It clung to my curves, cleavage popping out more than I expected, but I liked it.

Felt powerful. I slid on red heels, painted my lips the same red, and brushed my long hair until it fell shiny down my back. In the mirror I looked… good. Like someone who belonged to herself for once.

I grabbed my bag and headed out. Alpha Creed was in the hallway, dressed in a sharp black trousers, shirt half-buttoned, sleeves rolled up showing those thick forearms. He looked me up and down slow.

“Green suits your hazel eyes.”

I clenched my hands so I wouldn’t scream. “I’m not a child!” I stomped my foot, turned on my heel, and climbed into the Uber without another word. His chuckle followed me down the hall.

The banquet hall was something else. Music pulsed low and warm. Candles flickered everywhere, soft light on draped linen walls that made little private rooms along the edges.

Flowers and moonlight poured through tall windows. The full moon hung fat and heavy outside, pulling at my wolf like a tide.

Lucas spotted me right away. He pulled me into a hug that felt real. “You look so beautiful, Hazel.”

I smiled, nerves dancing in my stomach. “Did you see Drake?”

“Not yet. Let me go check on him.” He disappeared into the crowd.

I wandered alone after that. Picked up glass after glass of the special mating wine. It tasted sweet and dangerous, warming me from the inside.

My skin got hot. My legs felt slick between them, the pull of the moon and the bond making everything sensitive.

I needed Drake. Needed his hands, his mark, his wolf claiming mine. I searched for the pairs dancing close, laughing, disappearing behind linen curtains. Everyone had someone.

The air smelled like perfume, wine, and shifting desire.

I kept moving. More wine. More heat building low in my belly. Where was he?

I finally found our assigned space, the draped linen hanging quiet and inviting. My heart raced. This was it. I reached out, fingers shaking just a little, and pulled the fabric back.

There he was. Drake. Naked from the waist down, pants around his ankles, thrusting hard bent over the low bed. His mains cut through the music.

His hands gripped the hips like he owned them. Not me. Never me. The person’s head turned just enough that I saw the face of someone from the Academy, laughing like this was funny.

My soul shattered into pieces right there. My heels wobbled. The wine glass slipped from my fingers and smashed on the floor.

It wasn’t just that my mate had betrayed me on the night we were supposed to be bound forever. It was who he had chosen instead. In that moment, I truly believed I was cursed. Maybe nothing good was ever meant to find me.