her new family

Hazel’s POV

Cody took my hand, intertwining our fingers as we walked toward the mansion. His grip was warm and steady, but my palms were slightly damp. I was nervous—extremely nervous.

And why wouldn’t I be?

I was about to meet his family for the first time.

“Everything will be okay,” Cody murmured softly, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’re in this together, remember?”

I nodded, though my nerves still twisted in my stomach. I could feel Xyla pacing restlessly inside my head too.

For once, I hadn’t worn my usual jeans and top. Instead, I chose a simple A-line maxi dress, hoping it would help me make a good impression on my in-laws.

Cody had looked at me a little longer than usual when I came out dressed like this. I could tell he thought I looked beautiful—but there was worry in his eyes too.

He knew his parents well.

Still, we had no choice but to face them.

We stepped inside the mansion together. A man standing near the entrance greeted us. From his aura, I could tell he was a warrior. His eyes shifted to me curiously.

I offered him a nervous smile before quickly replacing it with a polite one.

“Good evening, Alpha Cody,” the man greeted formally.

“Good evening, Phillip. How are you?” Cody replied gently.

“I’m good, Alpha. Thanks for your help,” Phillip said, though his curious gaze returned to me again.

“Meet my wife, Phillip,” Cody said, turning slightly toward me.

Wife. I was not used to this title yet.

Then he looked back at the man. “Hazel, this is Phillip. He’s our housekeeper—and the one who raised me like his own son.”

Hearing the warmth in Cody’s voice, I immediately understood how important Phillip was to him.

“Good evening, Phillip,” I greeted respectfully.

Phillip’s face broke into a wide grin, clearly pleased. He gestured for us to follow him inside.

As we walked deeper into the mansion, I tried to calm myself.

You can do this, Hazel, I told myself. They’re not going to devour you. You’re just meeting the parents of your good friend.

“Yeah… “Xyla drawled sarcastically. “Parents of your good friend who also happen to be your in-laws.”

“Thanks for the encouragement,” I muttered inwardly, rolling my eyes.

When we reached the living room, Cody spoke first.

“Dad.”

Two people sitting inside turned toward us at the same time.

“Good evening, Alpha. Luna,” I said politely, lowering my head slightly in respect.

Luna Cassandra glanced at Cody coldly before her gaze shifted to me. One elegant brow lifted slightly.

“Good evening, Ms. Sinclair,” she said calmly, though her voice carried an unmistakable authority. “I hope your mother is receiving proper treatment here.”

I didn’t know much about Cassandra’s relationship with Cody, so I kept my guard up.

Cody and I stopped behind a single couch.

“I sincerely thank you for helping my mother on such short notice, Luna… Alpha,” I said, bending slightly in gratitude.

“Ah, it was nothing,” Cassandra replied, waving her hand dismissively. “I’m glad we could help in time.”

Her eyes studied me carefully. I could tell she was assessing my manners—and perhaps my presence.

Alpha Henry, however, was not happy at all.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I sensed Henry’s displeasure. Cody had told him about our marriage, but he hadn’t mentioned one crucial detail—me. That I was human.

Cassandra, on the other hand, seemed quietly pleased.

I, a wolfless omega, was part of the“good news.”

“Please have a seat, Hazel.”Cassandra gestured toward the large couch.

I hesitated for a fraction of a second before moving, stiffening when Henry grumbled,

“Let’s go for dinner.”The disappointment in his voice hit me like a cold breeze.

My stomach twisted. It wasn’t really directed at me… was it? But it felt personal anyway. Cody stiffened beside me too, though there was nothing he could do to shield me from this.

And then I heard the click of heels. My attention shifted instinctively.

“Good evening, Alpha, Luna.”

I looked up and froze. A she-wolf was entering the living room, her presence commanding even before she spoke. She wore a simple ivy-colored gown, deep-necked, backless, with a high slit up her left thigh.

Every step she took was precise, measured, dominant—not seductive, but impossibly powerful. Her body swayed in perfect rhythm with her confidence, and I couldn’t help but admire her poise and beauty. Her almond-shaped ivory eyes seemed to pierce through everything, and for a moment I felt caught under her gaze.

“Janet. Good evening, honey.”Cassandra stepped forward, welcoming her warmly.

Janet glanced at us—at Cody and me—and for a heartbeat, her perfect smile faltered. But she quickly masked it as though nothing had happened.

“Long time no see, Cody. Where have you been all these years?” She greeted him casually, like an old friend.

“Good evening, Janet. How are you?” Cody responded, holding my hand tightly, and I could feel his calm, steadying presence under my palm.

Cassandra paused a little distance away from us, then turned toward me. “Hazel, meet Janet Wilson. The only daughter of Alpha Robin Wilson from the Night Arrow Pack. I am sure you have heard of the pack, right?”

I took a slow breath. Cassandra’s intentions were clear—she wanted to size me up, to see if I was worthy of her attention or if I might somehow threaten her son’s standing. I had learned a long time ago how to hold my ground in the face of judgment.

“Of course, Luna Cassandra,”I replied confidently. “Alpha Robin is well-known as a prominent economist. Two years ago, his speech at the annual Alpha meeting on bilateral business agreements between packs made a major impact. It sparked a heated debate, and most alphas agreed that these agreements could create greater employment opportunities across all the packs. In the last two years, people have moved from one pack to another to take advantage of these agreements, without losing their membership in their birth pack, depending on the agreements between their packs.”

I felt their eyes on me as I spoke. The room went quiet. My words seemed to carry weight, and I could sense both surprise and cautious respect.

“You have an interest in pack economics, huh?”Henry asked casually, though I caught the flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

“I majored in business administration and finance, Alpha,” I said without hesitation, meeting his gaze steadily.

Cassandra stiffened slightly, but her surface smile remained.

“And yet you fell for a doctor, huh?”she teased. I noticed Janet studying me, her eyes flicking to our intertwined hands. I felt a flush creep into my cheeks but managed a small, shy smile at Cody.

“I am the one who fell for her first, Mom. It was love at first sight,”Cody said, looking at me with that soft, doting expression that made my heart squeeze.

Both Cassandra and Janet stiffened again, though for different reasons. I just stayed still, absorbing every detail.

“Enough talk. Let’s go for dinner,”Henry interrupted, his tone heavy. Love had always been a sensitive and sour topic in this family, and I could feel the tension tighten the air around us.

“And Alexander? Isn’t he back yet?”Janet asked, glancing around.

“He is on his way. He will join us shortly,”Cassandra replied calmly, already moving toward the dining room with Janet.

I froze. Oh no.

Alexander. Cody’s elder brother. The current Alpha. And I was going to meet him tonight. My stomach twisted.

I tried to calm myself but neither I nor Xyla could relax.

A strange restlessness stirred inside both of us, making it impossible for me to calm down.

Cody glanced at me from the corner of his eye, clearly sensing my unease. I could feel his helplessness too.

Across the table, Luna Cassandra continued chatting with Janet about something related to her family.

The dining table was large and rectangular.

Alpha Henry sat at the head of the table, the seat meant for the head of the family. Cassandra took the chair to his left. Janet sat next to Cassandra.

Cody pulled out the fourth chair on the opposite side, directly facing Janet. I sat beside him on his right.

Two chairs at the far end remained empty—seats reserved for the next Alpha.

Alexander’s seat.

And he still hadn’t arrived.

“You don’t need to be so nervous, Hazel. Alexander doesn’t bite,” Cassandra joked lightly when she noticed my uneasiness.

Her tone wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t hostile either. I knew she disliked Cody, and that was probably why her attitude toward me remained lukewarm.

“Why didn’t you meet your brother at the Black Lotus Pack, Cody?”Alpha Henry asked calmly, though his brows furrowed slightly.

Alexander was there?

My heart skipped a beat faster.

“I had two surgeries back-to-back at that time, Dad,”Cody replied.“I finished the last one early the next morning.”

As he spoke, he poured a glass of water for me and slid it toward my hand.

I didn’t even realize I had been biting my lip until it started to sting.

My thoughts were spiraling.

Did Alexander hear about what happened that night?

If he didn’t…

Then maybe I was safe.

No Alpha would want a troublesome pack member.

But if he did—

My breath hitched sharply when a maid hurried into the room.

“Alpha Alexander Nickelson has arrived.”

“Hey,”Cody whispered beside me, leaning slightly closer.“Why are you so nervous?”

I couldn’t answer him.

Because at that same moment, somewhere outside the mansion…

Alexander Nickelson was standing in front of the building.

And walking toward this very room.