ANMELDENHAZEL’S POVI stood at the fridge longer than necessary, staring at nothing as the cold air spilled out around me.My hand trembled faintly as I reached for a bottle of water, twisting the cap open with more effort than it should have taken. Everything that had happened earlier kept replaying in my head. I kept remembering his words and they way he had been so full of rage and anger after I had mentioned Roland.My mind drifted to the gun and they way Blaine’s hand had shook like he hadn’t trusted himself to hold it steady without firing. My mind replayed the way his voice had cracked into something desperate and unfamiliar as he begged me not to leave.Although I wans't hurt physically, I was hurt emotionally. Things didn't remain the same after tonight. I knew that the same way I knew my name and the names of my twin. something had shifted tonight and nothing could undo it or erase the damage already done.I lifted the bottle to my lips, slowly taking a sip. The water travelled
HAZEL’S POVThe front door slammed sometime after nine PM.The sound cut through the house like a crack of thunder, loud enough to make my shoulders tensed where I stood in the study. Then u heard heavy footsteps as Blaine ascended the stairs. They weren’t his usual controlled strides. He was running and walking at the same time, like something inside him had come loose.I didn’t move. I had been in his study waiting for him for too long to back down now.His notepad lay open on the desk in front of me and the blank page staring back at me. I remembered the words in it. Move. R. secured. These words had lived in my mind for weeks, haunting and refusing to make any sense. Blaine had gotten rid of it off the pages of his notepad but I still needed answers from him.The door opened without warning.“What are you doing in here?” he inquired, exhaustion and surprise mixed on his face.Blaine stopped in the doorway, his frame rigid, his voice low but strained. There was something off abou
HAZEL’S POVI turned away from the entryway, my phone still clenched tightly in my hand. I marched into the hallway, lost in thoughts that I nearly bumped into Martawhimhad stepped out of the kitchen and wa headed to the dinning area.“Miss Hazel,” she said quicklym she took a step back, het hands hing on her waist m she had a dish towel draped over her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I was actually coming to your room to get you for breakfast.”“It’s fine,” I murmured, though my heart was still pulsing, rage radiating off me. I exhaled slowly, trying to release the tight coil of tension sitting heavy in my chest.Her gaze lingered on my face. I could see hesitation flash in her eyes before she finally opened up.“I heard some of what happened last night between you and Alpha Blaine. I'm so sorry I caused this misunderstanding between you two.”A flicker of embarrassment passed through me, quickly replaced by exhaustion. “It’s not your fault, Marta.xI said quietly
HAZEL’S POVThe bedroom door creaked open sometime after midnight, the sound soft but still loud enough to stir me from the fragile edge of sleep.I didn’t move.A moment later, the mattress dipped beside me. The familiar weight of Blaine's body. I knew it was him before he even spoke.“Hazel.” he called out my name, his voice is gentle but full of uncertainty I stared at the wall, refusing to turn.“Please,” he said, softer this time. He reached out and touched my shoulder brueftly before retreating like he was scared I would flare. Thhe sharpnessin his voice from dinner was completely gone. “Don’t be mad at me.”“I’m not mad,” I replied, my voice steady. “I just don’t understand why you won’t let me see a doctor. Your reasons aren't enough to convince me otherwise.”There was a pause behind me, thick with hesitation.“It’s not that simple,” Blaine said finally. His hand found my shoulder again, his palm warm and tentative, before sliding slowly down my arm as if testing whether
HAZEL’S POVThe kitchen smelled like cinnamon which was very, a stark contrast to the unease curling in my chest. Marta stood at the counter, humming softly as she rolled dough. She had her a apron flour dusting her hands.“Marta,” I said, sliding onto one of the stools.“Miss Hazel.” She glanced up briefly before returning to her work. “Can I get you something?”“No. Not at all. Your company here is enough.” I replied, watching her steady movements. I was really grateful to have her around. Though in her early sixties, her efficiency had to be studied. She was very coordinated whenever she handled chores and dishes. “Can I ask you something again? I've had it in my mind for a while now. I think it's time to let it out. What do you think?”Her shoulders stiffened just slightly and I could see her slow down her kneading pace. “of course, Mr. Hazel. Do.m ask your question right away. What is it that you'd like to ask me?”“Please,” I began careful with how I asked the question. I didn'
BLAINE’S POVThe call came just after midnight. I lay beside Hazel on the bed, lost in deep thought when my ringing tone tote through the silent room. I reached out quickly for it on the table, pressing it against by chest to reduce the volume while turning down the volume. I got out of bed and headed to my study.The study was dark and the only light came from a single lamp on my desk. Shadows stretched long across the walls, shifting faintly with every movement I made. I answered the call, placing it hastily on my ears.“What are tiy calling me by this time of the night? Huh? Can't it wait till tomorrow?’“You wanted an update. I have an urgent one boss. Sorry for the disturbance.” the voice said.“Alright. Go ahead.”“News reached me tonight that Roland is healing though it's dlower than expecte. He's stable nonetheless. The guard’s following your instructions in making sure he stays alive.”I leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand along my jaw. “And his behavior? Noticed anything
ELOISE'S POV “Hey,” I beamed brightly at Blaine as I moved towards his bed.“How're you feeling?”He blinked at me, with an expressionless face.My smile faltered slightly as I leaned over, adjusting the covers over his chest before sitting down, beside him.“Are you going to answer,or do yo
HAZEL'S POV“Hmm, I like that,” I murmured with lazy contentment as Roland’s fingers traced idle patterns across my stomach, brushing dangerously close to the hem of my nightshirt. “Of course you do,” he replied quietly, his voice laced with amusement and passion.My response died in my throat as
Hazel's POVPeace is a crying baby at 3 a.m., a bottle knocked to the floor, and a mate mumbling half-asleep curses as he searches under the crib. Peace is the smell of formula and burnt toast and Roland singing lullabies off-key in the kitchen while Elias tries to mimic his howl. Emery prefers sil
Hazel's POVWe named them Elias and Emery.I whispered their names the first time I held them, still slick from birth, still blinking against the light of the world they didn’t ask to be born into. But the moment I felt their weight in my arms, everything inside me shifted. It wasn’t just about sur







