Chapter 4

The massive dining hall felt heavier than a physical weight pushing down on Hazel’s fragile shoulders

She stood completely frozen behind the solid, towering wall of Ryder’s back, unable to see anything except the dark fabric of his expensive suit jacket, which stretched tightly across his broad shoulders.

For several long, agonising seconds, neither of them moved. The rich scent of his expensive cologne mixed with the dark aroma of roasted coffee beans seemed to wrap around her completely, making her feel as though she were trapped in a very small space with a powerful creature that could crush her with a single movement.

 When he looked down at her, his cold eyes were still burning with a dangerous spark that told her his inner beast was incredibly angry about his brother’s playful interruption and his compliments toward her. 

She twisted the fabric of her dress. 

"Sit down," Ryder said.

She did not dare to say a single word in response, so she simply nodded her head quickly and slid into the nearest high-backed wooden chair, her movements so awkward and stiff that she felt like a wooden doll being moved by invisible strings. 

Her eyes remained glued to the beautiful, white ceramic plate in front of her, which was piled high with golden pastries, crispy pieces of bacon, and fresh fruit, though the wonderful smell of the breakfast did absolutely nothing to ease the tight, painful knot in her stomach.

Ryder walked back to his own seat at the head of the long table, but instead of picking up his papers or his coffee cup, he leaned his massive forearms against the dark wood and stared directly across the distance.

"You are not allowed to speak to my brother again unless I give you permission, Hazel," he said in a cold, emotionless voice. 

"Stay away from Kaiden," Ryder said flatly.

Hazel looked up. "Why?"

"Because I told you to."

His eyes hardened.

"The next time he comes near you, I'll bury him."

Hazel swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in her throat. For a brief moment, she looked into his dark eyes before quickly lowering her gaze to her shaking hands.

"He was only being kind to me in the garden yesterday, milord," she whispered. "I never meant to cause any problems between you and your brother. I also didn't know I wasn't allowed to walk in the courtyard."

"Everything in this territory belongs to me, Hazel, which means everything that happens within these stone walls is my direct business," Ryder growled softly.

 "When you sneak out of your bedroom in the middle of the night to wander through the dark corridors, you are not just taking a walk; you are putting yourself in extreme danger".

"This world isn't as kind as you believe it is. Some wolves would see your innocence as weakness. Some enemies would use you against me without a second thought. The quickest way to make a man like me suffer is to take away something I refuse to lose."

His voice dropped into a quiet, deadly growl. "And if anyone laid a single finger on you... I wouldn't leave enough of them behind for anyone to recognize."

He poured a cup of warm, sweet chamomile tea and walked back over to her side of the long table, and gently placed the warm cup right next to her plate, his large hand staying near her finger.

"Drink the tea," he commanded, "Your face is completely pale, and I will not have my future luna looking as though she is being starved or tortured in my own home."

Hazel looked at the steaming cup of tea, the sweet scent of chamomile drifting up to soothe her senses, and she slowly lifted her small hands to wrap her fingers around the warm porcelain, grateful for the heat that immediately began to chase away the deep chill of her nerves. She took a tiny, cautious sip, allowing the warm liquid to soothe her completely dry throat, and as the warmth spread through her chest, she finally found the courage to look up into his dark eyes without instantly looking away.

"Thank you, Master Ryder," she said, her voice sounding a little stronger than before, though it still possessed a delicate, fragile quality that seemed to make Ryder’s jaw tighten in a strange, complicated way.

"Eat something as well," he added, gesturing toward the food on her plate before he turned on his heel and walked back to the end of the table to pick up his thick stack of pack documents. "I have to leave the estate for the entire afternoon to attend an emergency meeting with the pack elders regarding the northern border security, which means you will be left here under the strict supervision of Chloe and the house guards."

Hazel felt a sudden, strange mix of intense relief and unexpected loneliness wash over her at his words, realizing that while she would finally be free from his terrifyingly intense presence for a few hours, she would also be completely alone in a massive, unfamiliar castle filled with people she did not know. "Will you be gone for a very long time?" she asked, the question slipping out of her mouth before she could stop herself, her wide eyes instantly growing larger as she realized she might have sounded far too curious about his personal schedule.

Ryder paused, his hand gripping the edge of the papers tightly as he looked back over his shoulder at her, his eyes scanning her face as if he were trying to read the innermost secrets of her soul.

 "I will return before the sun sets behind the mountains, Hazel," he murmured, . "And when I return, I expect to find you safe, healthy, and exactly where you are supposed to be, because if I discover that you have been talking to Kaiden or sneaking into places you do not belong, the punishment will be far worse than a few words."

Without waiting for her to give another answer, Ryder turned around and walked toward the heavy wooden doors.

 The guards standing outside immediately opened the doors for him, bowing their heads in deep respect as he passed through, and then the doors shut once more, leaving Hazel alone in the massive dining hall.

Chloe, who had been standing silently by the door the entire time, finally took a deep breath and hurried over to Hazel’s side, She began to fill a small plate with fresh pastries and fruit for her. "Milady, Master Ryder can be absolutely terrifying when he is in one of his dark moods, but you must understand that he has a tremendous amount of pressure on his shoulders as the Alpha of the largest pack in the territory."

"He looks at me as if he wants to lock me in a cage and never let me see the sunlight again, Chloe," Hazel said as she picked up a small piece of sweet pastry and took a tiny bite, finding that her appetite was slowly returning now that the terrifying Alpha was gone. "He is so big, so angry, and every single time he speaks to me, I feel as though I am a tiny mouse standing in front of a giant mountain that is about to fall and crush me."

"He is protective of you because you are his fated mate, Hazel, and to a werewolf Alpha, a mate is the most precious, sacred treasure in the entire world," Chloe explained as she began to clear away some of the empty dishes from the long table. "He has spent many long, lonely years ruling this pack with a heart of stone, and now that the moon goddess has finally blessed him with a beautiful mate, his primitive instincts are working overtime to keep you safe from any possible danger."

"But Kaiden is his own brother, so why does he treat him like an enemy?" Hazel asked, her curiosity getting the better of her as she remembered the handsome, white-haired man.

Chloe’s expression instantly grew very serious, and she quickly looked around the empty, silent dining hall as if she were afraid that someone was there. "That is a very long and complicated story, my dear, and it is not my place to speak about the deep family secrets of the Alpha bloodline, All you need to know for now is that Kaiden is very different from Ryder, and while he may seem sweet and charming on the outside, he possesses a wild, unpredictable nature that can cause a great deal of trouble if you are not careful."

Hazel nodded her head slowly, understanding that she would not get any more answers from the loyal maid, so she finished her warm tea and ate a few more bites of her breakfast.

"Come along now, Miss Hazel," Chloe said as she stood up straight and smoothed down her clean white apron. "Since the Master is going to be away for the entire day, I think it would be wonderful for you to explore some of the safer, more beautiful parts of the grand mansion so that you can feel more at home in this place."

Hazel’s eyes lit up with excitement at the idea of leaving her bedroom and seeing more of the grand estate, so she quickly stood up from her chair and followed Chloe out of the massive dining hall and into the wide, sunlit corridors of the castle.

The mansion was truly incredible, filled with towering stone arches, beautiful oil paintings of past leaders, and massive glass windows that offered breathtaking views of the dark pine forests and majestic, snow-capped mountains that surrounded the valley.

As they walked through the endless hallways, Hazel noticed that every single guard and servant they passed would immediately stop what they were doing, step to the side, and bow their heads in deep respect toward her, which made her feel incredibly embarrassed and uncomfortable. 

She was used to being an ordinary, unimportant girl who never received any attention from anyone, so being treated like royalty just because she was Ryder’s mate felt strange.

"Where does this long hallway lead, Chloe?" Hazel asked as they turned a corner and walked down a quiet corridor that was lined with beautiful.

"This is the grand pack library, Miss Hazel," Chloe replied proudly, pushing open a pair of elegant glass doors to reveal a massive, two-story room.

 "The Alpha family has been collecting books from all over the world for hundreds of years, and since you enjoy quiet places, I thought you might love to spend your afternoon reading in here."

Hazel stepped into the library, her mouth opening slightly in absolute awe as she looked up at the towering shelves that reached all the way to the high, painted ceiling, where a beautiful crystal chandelier hung down to cast a warm, golden glow over the entire room.

"This place is absolutely beautiful, Chloe," Hazel breathed, her face lighting up with the first genuine smile she had worn since arriving at the pack house, as she walked along the shelves, her fingers lightly brushing against the spines of the books.

"I am so glad you like it, milady," Chloe said, "I will leave you here to enjoy your reading in peace, but I will have two guards stand right outside the glass doors to ensure your absolute safety, and I will return in a few hours to bring you a delicious lunch."

Once Chloe left the room and the glass doors clicked shut, Hazel let out a long, happy sigh and began to wander through the endless rows of books, searching for a story that could transport her mind away from her scary new reality. She finally selected a beautifully illustrated book about ancient legends and mythical kingdoms, and she carried it over to one of the large leather armchairs by the window, curling her legs up beneath her pink silk dress as she opened the first page.

Around midday, Chloe returned to the library carrying a silver tray filled with a delicious lunch of hot chicken soup, fresh bread, and a glass of sweet raspberry juice, which Hazel ate gladly while sitting by the warm window. After finishing her lunch, she returned to her book, determined to read as much as possible before the terrifying Alpha returned from his meetings and brought his dark intensity back into her life.

 She closed her book gently and placed it back on the low wooden table, standing up to stretch her stiff limbs and smooth down the front of her pink silk dress, which was now a little wrinkled from sitting in the chair for so many hours.

She decided to step out onto the small, private balcony to breathe in some of the fresh, cool evening air, hoping it would help calm her down.

 The air outside was cool, carrying the sharp scent of pine trees and damp earth from the surrounding forests, and Hazel closed her eyes as she leaned against the stone railing, letting the cold wind blow through her soft red hair.

"You look far too beautiful when you are lost in your thoughts, little bird," a voice whispered making Hazel gasp in shock and instantly snap her eyes open.

She looked down over the railing to see Kaiden standing in the shadows of the garden below, his long white hair gleaming brilliantly in the fading sunlight, and his pale, icy eyes looking up at her with that same mischievous, charming smile he had worn that morning.

"Kaiden!" Hazel said back in a panicked tone, her eyes quickly darting toward the glass doors of the library to make sure the guards outside had not heard him. "You shouldn't be here! Your brother was absolutely furious this morning, and he explicitly told me that I am never allowed to speak to you again!"

Kaiden let out a soft, low chuckle and he effortlessly leaped up onto a thick vine of ivy that was growing up the side of the stone wall.

"Ryder is always furious about something, little bird, and he treats everything in this world as if it is a threat to his absolute power, He thinks he can lock you away in this dark castle and keep you all to himself, but he forgets that a delicate flower like you needs freedom."

"Please, Kaiden, you need to leave right now," Hazel pleaded.

"Don't be afraid of him, Hazel," Kaiden murmured. He reached up and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Ryder may be the Alpha, but he doesn't control your heart. No one can decide how you feel except you. And as long as I'm here, I'll protect you."

Hazel's heart skipped a beat. She quickly took a small step back, uncomfortable with how close he was. Before she could respond, the heavy glass doors behind them were suddenly pushed open with enough force to slam loudly against the wall.

The sharp bang echoed through the quiet library, making Hazel jump.

A powerful, furious Alpha aura instantly filled the room, pressing down on everyone like an invisible weight. The air turned cold, and every servant nearby froze where they stood.

Hazel slowly turned around.

Ryder stood in the doorway.

His broad shoulders were tense, and his piercing golden eyes burned with barely controlled rage. His jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles in his face twitched, and his expression was darker than she had ever seen before.

Kaiden's gentle smile disappeared at once.

His relaxed posture changed as he instinctively stepped in front of Hazel, placing himself between her and Ryder. 

For several long seconds, neither brother spoke.

Without taking his eyes off Kaiden, Ryder finally walked forward with slow, steady steps. When he reached Hazel, he bent down, slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other around her waist, then lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

Hazel let out a small gasp, instinctively grabbing the front of his shirt to steady herself.

Ryder held her securely against his broad chest as though she weighed nothing. Without looking back, he turned and walked out of the library, carrying her away.

The guards and servants standing outside immediately lowered their heads, too frightened to speak.

Ryder carried Hazel through the endless halls of the mansion without slowing his pace for even a single second.

The towering doors leading to the master wing slowly opened, and Ryder walked through them without breaking his stride, the guards stationed outside bowing so quickly that they barely had time to move before he disappeared into his private chambers.

The heavy wooden doors closed behind them with a deep thud that echoed throughout the room.

Only then did Ryder finally lower her onto the floor with surprising care, making sure her feet were steady before he released her completely.

Hazel immediately took two steps backward, instinctively creating as much distance between them as she could without realizing she had done it.

His sharp eyes followed every tiny movement she made, lingering on her frightened expression before slowly drifting away as he clenched his jaw hard enough for the muscles in his face to twitch.

For several long moments, neither of them spoke.

He walked toward the tall windows overlooking the dark courtyard and rested both hands against the wooden frame, staring out into the night as though the cold rain beginning to fall could somehow quiet the storm raging inside him.

Hazel watched him from where she stood, confused by the strange battle playing across his face.

A gentle knock sounded at the door.

"My Alpha?" the head maid called from outside the door.

Without taking his eyes off Hazel, Ryder spoke.

"Come in."

Two maids hurried inside carrying folded clothes, warm water, and a tray of food.

"Prepare everything she needs," Ryder ordered.

 "Should we prepare Lady Hazel's room in the east wing?"

Ryder's expression hardened.

"No."

"She remains here tonight."

Although surprise flashed across the maids' faces, none of them questioned the order, knowing better than to challenge the Alpha while his wolf was so close to the surface.

Hazel's eyes widened.

Here?

In his room?

Before she could protest, Ryder turned toward the fireplace, dismissing the head maid with a wave of his hand.

The other maid quietly helped Hazel wash away the dust from the day, changed her into a soft nightgown, brushed her tangled hair, and placed the untouched dinner beside the fireplace before bowing respectfully and leaving the room in complete silence.

The doors closed once again.

Minutes slowly became hours.

Eventually, Ryder let out a long, weary breath before removing his coat and laying it across the back of a chair, his movements slow and deliberate, as though every muscle in his body ached from the effort of holding himself together.

Without looking at Hazel, he extinguished the lamps one by one until only the fire illuminated the room with a faint golden glow.

Hazel hesitated for several moments before quietly climbing onto the far edge of the enormous bed, curling beneath the blankets while leaving as much space between them as possible.

Much later, after the fire had burned low and the storm outside had settled into a gentle rain, Ryder finally crossed the room and lay down on the opposite side of the bed without saying a single word.

Eventually, exhaustion claimed Hazel. Her eyes slowly drifted shut.

.

.

Soft morning sunlight slipped through the heavy velvet curtains, its warm rays gently falling across Hazel's face.

She blinked slowly as she opened her eyes, letting out a quiet breath while her mind struggled to shake off the memories of the previous night. Her mouth felt dry, and a strange heaviness settled in her chest before she fully realized where she was.

She tried to sit up, but a heavy, crushing weight across her midsection pinned her flat against the mattress.

Ryder's strong arm was wrapped tightly around Hazel's waist, keeping her close even in his sleep. His breathing was slow and steady, and unlike his usual cold expression, his face looked calm and peaceful. Without his constant frown, he looked younger and surprisingly handsome. But the long scars running down his neck and disappearing beneath his shirt reminded her exactly what kind of monster he was.

Trying not to wake him, Hazel slowly lifted Ryder's arm from her waist, moving with the greatest care. Her fingers barely wrapped around his broad wrist as she gently eased herself toward the edge of the bed.

She had almost slipped free. Then his hand suddenly tightened around her waist.

Ryder's eyes opened instantly.

There wasn't the slightest trace of sleep in them.

His sharp gaze locked onto hers, alert and watchful, like a predator that had sensed the smallest movement.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" Ryder growled.

Hazel's breath caught in her throat.

"I... I was only going to the washroom, my Lord," she replied softly, afraid to look away.

He said nothing. His eyes searched her face, studying every tiny change in her expression as though he could tell if she was lying just by looking at her.

The silence stretched between them until Hazel's heart began pounding harder.

At last, Ryder let out a slow breath. His grip loosened.

Without another word, he removed his arm from around her waist, giving her just enough space to climb out of bed.

Hazel didn't waste a second. She quietly slipped off the mattress and hurried toward the bathroom before he could change his mind.

 She leaned her back against the wood, sliding down until she was sitting on the floor, her face buried in her hands. 

She hated this. She hated the fear and hated remembering that her own father had sold her as though she were nothing more than a debt to be paid. Every time she looked around the grand bedroom, the painful truth hit her all over again.

She was here because the one man who was supposed to protect her had chosen money over his own daughter.

After washing her face with ice-cold water to numb her shaking nerves.

When Hazel stepped out of the bathroom, Ryder was already out of bed.

He stood by the tall window with his back to her, wearing only a pair of dark gray trousers. The early morning light fell across his broad shoulders, highlighting the hard muscles of his back as he poured himself a glass of whiskey from a crystal decanter.

It wasn't even eight in the morning.

Yet he was already drinking in complete silence, his eyes fixed on the view outside.

Hazel walked over with stiff, clumsy steps and sat down, smoothing the wrinkled pink silk of her nightwear. 

Ryder turned to face her, the glass still in his hand. His jaw was tight, and the anger in his eyes hadn't faded since the night before.

"Let’s get something straight, Hazel," he said, "Yesterday was the last time you made a fool out of me in my own house. Do you understand?"

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to look up into his dark eyes. "I didn't try to make a fool of you. Kaiden just"

"I don't give a fuck about what Kaiden did," Ryder snarled, "Kaiden is a parasite. He looks for weakness, and the moment he saw you, he saw a way to get under my skin."

He leaned down, trapping her completely within his personal space. The raw heat radiating from his chest washed over her face.

"He is trying to provoke my beast, Hazel. And if he touches you again, if he so much as breathes the same air as you, I won't just throw him off a fucking balcony. I will rip his throat out with my bare teeth. Do you want his blood on your hands?"

"No, I don't want anyone to be hurt" Hazel bit the inside of her cheek so hard she tasted blood. She refused to let the tears fall. "No, please. I'll stay away from him. I promise."

Ryder’s gaze softened by a fraction, his eyes dropping to her trembling lips. He reached out, his large, rough thumb gently catching a stray tear before it could fall down her cheek. 

"Good," Ryder said, withdrawing his hand.

"Don't give me a reason to repeat myself."

Ryder slowly withdrew his hand from her face and took a step back. He picked up his glass and finished the last sip before setting it on the table.

"You may leave."

Hazel blinked, almost thinking she had heard him wrong.

"My Lord?"

"I have matters to attend to. Chloe will show you around the mansion. If you need anything, ask her."

Hazel nodded quickly. "Yes, my Lord."

She stood up before taking a step toward the door.

Just as she reached for the handle, Ryder's deep voice stopped her.

"Hazel."

She turned around.

"Eat something".

Hazel gave a small nod.

"I will."

Ryder didn't respond.

He simply lifted his glass again, dismissing her without another glance.

Understanding she was no longer needed, Hazel quietly opened the door and slipped out of the room.