"Congratulations, you finally have your pack back!" Ryland whispered, and Hazel snapped her head in his direction, surprised that anyone was with her. "I guess. It is what my parents desire," she said, staring down at the pack. The word had spread that she was back and even though some of them still had a hard time accepting her, she was sure they would all come around soon enough. "Your parents would be proud, I'm sure of it," Ryland said with a smile on his lips. "Thank you Ryland for coming to my aid. I really thought I was going to die in Rodrigo's hand," Hazel muttered, trying to ignore how bitter the words tasted in her mouth. "And I also really appreciate all you did in helping get my pack back. I'm forever indebted to you," she continued, glancing his way for only a few seconds. There was no doubt that being in a room with Ryland after all that happened felt highly uncomfortable. "There is no need for you to thank me," Ryland responded and Hazel's eyes flickered in conf
Ryland stared at her like she had grown two heads. "I know it's probably stupid, but I can't live happily knowing that my parents aren't happy," she whispered, the words heavier than she had expected. "I have to get Hibiscus pack back, at least because of them. That is what they would have wanted," Hazel concluded. Ryland watched her speaking, his eyes shining with pride, but also a sliver of concern. “I know you want that but you have to take things a little slower," Ryland spoke, hoping she'd be patient and understand even though her mind was made up.Hazel sprang up immediately, her eyes glowing deep gold as she shot back, "I'm doing this with or without you. I don't need your help anyway." Ryland let out a gasp, surprised that she took his words in the wrong way. "I am not saying I won't help you, but that we need a plan and we need to heal too.” He paused for a breath. “Some of my men were injured in the last attack, and you can't risk going into the pack alone. You have no id
Ryland tried to move hoping to fight Rodrigo again, but the excruciating pain coming from the cut of the knife hindered him. Gripping the knife, he stared at Hazel who shook her head vigorously in fear, not wanting to see him bleed to death."I wouldn't do that if I were you," Rodrigo said in a syrupy sweet voice. "That dagger is poisoned. It would slow down your healing, and you'd probably bleed to death right here." But his ideas fell on deaf ears as Ryland ignored him and pulled out the knife. His grunts were loud in the air, making Hazel turn her face away to avoid watching him. Ryland attempted to walk but he collapsed, his chest heaving from pain. Hazel stared wide at him and something in her seemed to click. Before she could think, she headbutted Rodrigo, causing him to let out a grunt, his hands on his nose. "What the-" he cursed, taking in her face. Shockingly, Hazel looked completely different from what she was just a few minutes ago. She no longer had a scared face. Her
Hazel's heart dropped to her stomach as she felt the cold touch of a knife against her neck. A whimper left her lips as she tried to struggle with Rodrigo, glancing at Ryland for help. He tried to step towards them but Rodrigo grazed her skin with the knife, making him stop. "Not on my watch," he said with a firm voice. "You think you could just come to my house and take my wife?" He asked like it was the dumbest thing. "Your wife shouldn't be tied to a chair, and don't forget she is my mate," Ryland shot back, stepping closer. The comment seemed to annoy Rodrigo and he growled. "She was trying to escape and she’s not your mate, because last I heard, you rejected her," Rodrigo brewed, his smirk increasing, happy he had been able to hit a nerve. Ryland moved towards him and Rodrigo pretended to pierced Hazel with the knife causing her to whimper. “I wouldn't move if I were you.” “Tell your men to go back now. Do that and I might let you carry your dog…" Rodrigo said, glancing at
Ryland stepped into the car saying a little prayer. His heart raced and he hoped the plan at hand was going to work perfectly. "Everything has been stationed according to your order," Caleb said and he nodded, too distraught to say a word. The car roared to life and they headed towards his enemy's pack. Hazel was the only person on his mind throughout the drive and Ryland grew desperate by the minute. The car came to a stop a mile from the pack, and they all stepped down. Some of the warriors took off their clothes before shifting into their wolf forms. They picked up the clothes glancing at Ryland before they ran into the woods, making their way to Kindred's pack. "Ready?" Caleb asked and Ryland gave a small nod. Caleb followed suit as Ryland ran towards the pack still in his human form. He got in through the far end of the pack where he was certain that very few guards would have positioned in front especially after the information he had given them. Just like he predicted, he
"You can't do this, Rodrigo. You're better than this!" Hazel yelled, hoping that deep down the man who held her when she had nightmares, that took her to picnics,was going to shine through. But it never did. Because there was never a man. "Oh, I will; you just wait. He will come for you any moment from now, and that would be the last time you'd ever see him," Rodrigo cackled, glaring at Hazel. Her cries filled the atmosphere, but it only made him laugh harder. "Please, I beg you as your wife, don't do this. I'll come with you if you want. I'd never think about him again," she pleaded, her face swollen from all the crying. Rodrigo stared at her for a moment and his eyes slowly shone with pity. He visibly gulped and Hazel studied him, hoping her words might have moved him. Hoping he would give up. Rodrigo took a few steps towards her and she adjusted backwards, trying to ignore how she shivered in fear. He placed his hand at the back of her neck, slowly massaging it. "You look s
Hazel let out a groan, trying to open her eyes. For some reason, her lids felt glued, her head heavy. She tried to lift her hand up but it seemed stuck. She fought against the binds, pausing when she realised her predicaments. "Anyone?" She struggled to say, her voice low and hoarse. Her throat felt dry and itchy and she swallowed saliva trying to remedy the feeling, but it did nothing. "Anyone! Someone please help!" She repeated, struggling to get free from the binds. Her head hurt with each move she made, but she ignored it. "Eleanor?" she yelled, forcing her eyes open."Please help me," she whispers, scanning her surroundings. She was tied to a wooden chair, her hands bruised.A tear slid down her face and Hazel bit her lips, trying her best to prevent a sob. She lifted her head, staring at the room she was left in. The lighting was dim and she could barely see anything. "Goddess, please help me," she silently prayed, taking in deep breaths. The door pulled open and Hazel sna
Rodrigo glanced at his watch, running a hand through his hair. It was almost a day and he had heard nothing from Serena. Clenching his jaw, his hand coursed through his hair again, a habit of his whenever he was frustrated. With a hard glare at his phone which was on the desk, he picked it up and dialed her number the second time, but like before, it accelerated to voicemail. Rodrigo tried repeatedly, but the results were the same at each try. An annoying growl left his lips and without giving it a thought, he crashed the phone against the wall. Nevertheless, his anger refused to be appeased as he balled his fist. With his eyes blazing red in fury, the table was seen at a blink tearing apart, and sending everything on it crashing down. Just then, Thorne made his way in and Rodrigo glared at him, his jaw still clenched so hard that it could snap. "What do you want?!" Rodrigo muttered, forcing the words out of his teeth. "Your tantrums were loud enough to summon me," was Thorne's r
"Baby?" Serena mewed like a cat, her voice loud yet shaky. She waved her hand in front of his eyes to make sure the sleeping pills were effective. Slowly she got out of bed, rushed towards her bag, and they took out the layers of napkin while rubbing her sweaty hands against her lingerie.Serena pulled out the bottle Rodrigo had given her. She pierced it, and drew out the green colored liquid, cringing at the sight of it. "This looks concerning," she whispered to herself, staring at the syringe. Ryland made a sound and she froze in fear. Slowly she turned back to find him still asleep. "Goddess help me," she muttered, walking towards him with the poison in hand. She took his hands as she placed the syringe on his shoulder. Her heart pounded and just as she was about to inject the substance into him, his eyes peeled open. "What are you doing?" Ryland's voice came sharp and unexpected, making Serena freeze in shock. Her whole body trembled as she slowly stared to see a pair of glow