South from the start

Grady P.O.V.  

I’m waiting anxiously outside the Dalton estate for the car to arrive at the pack. I wanted to be the one to pick up Hazel, but I decided it was best I wasn’t the one. Walking up there I see Jacob and Harper, Hazel’s parents waiting outside the front door with their other two children Josie and Joel. Josie is Hazel’s big sister by one year, and Joel is younger by two years. Why they are here I have no idea, but I greet them politely, if not a little resigned. I have no intention to interact with any of them. Josie’s face lights up like a kid at christmas and she immediately stands besides me, trying to wrap her arm around mine. I take a step to the side, telling her to leave me alone. Her face falls, but she composes herself and scurries back to her parents who are glaring at me slightly. A growl from my side makes them submit with their bare neck immediately. 

‘Just a heads up, bro. The friend your mate brought is real feisty and will not respect your status as Alpha if it means protecting Hazel.’ River mindlinks me, as I get a notification of them crossing the packborder. I hide my smirk at his words. 

‘She already put you in your place, dude?’ I ask, wondering what happened. 

‘We exchanged words, and her friend essentially told me to shut the fuck up.’ I roll my eyes internally, switching channels and asking Leona what happened between River and Hazel. Her answer makes me very unhappy, and I make a mental note to have a serious word with him later. He disrespected my mate, knowing full well I am trying to get a chance to win her back while she is in my packlands, and he goes around and almost fucks me up before she is even here. River always has been very defensive of me and Adrian, especially with what happened 5 years ago, and he never truly forgave Hazel for running instead of hearing me out, but this is not his call.

‘You owe your Luna an apology for your disrespect, River. I don’t give a shit why you did it, you went over the line and I will not tolerate anyone treating her that way. You don’t know why she ran. None of us do. We owe her to not make the same mistake as she did. We owe her to listen to her, and respect her decision.’ The car parks outside the Dalton estate and I don’t get an answer other than submission through the link. 

River comes out of the car and walks around to open the back door on the passenger side, while the back door on the driver’s side opens as well. Adrian stiffens, but I don’t give him much thought because right then Hazel gets out of the car. Onyx howls with joy in my mind, and her scent overwhelms me for a second - lemon and strawberries. Refreshing and sweet at the same time! Her bright amber eyes brush past me without seeing me for a microsecond, before she turns around and leans into the car again. Her long dark brown hair has more golden streaks than I remember and reaches her mid back in long swirling curls, and her figure is still curvy but more refined than before. My woman has been working out.

I’m dragged back to reality when I hear a rush of movement, a yelp and see Hazel snap back up with a child in her arms. I look over to the other side of the car where Adrian has trapped the friend and says the word ‘mate’. Happiness swamps me for a second for my best friend until the female pushes him back and walks around the car to Hazel. 

After my mate and her friend brush past us, Adrian makes to follow them. I stop him with a hand movement. 

“Give her space, bro.” I tell him, knowing exactly the kind of pain he is feeling. Hazel’s family are murmuring amongst themselves, and Adrian just turns on his heels and leaves all together with River following him. I can hear the family arguing with the lawyer when I walk past them and inside to finally speak to my mate. 

“Hazel, I would like a private word please.” I tell her when I reach the hall. The maid, who was properly coming to show the women their rooms, bops a courtesy and waits. Her friend opens her mouth, but Hazel passes her daughter to her, telling her it’s fine. The friend shoots me a look that could peel off paint before following the maid up the stairs to the first floor. Hazel gestures for me to follow her, which I gladly do.

We end up in a library, and the light in Hazel’s eyes tells me her passion for books has not dimmed in the 5 years she’s been gone. Good to know. She sits by the window in a chair that has a small round table besides it and another chair, which I sit in. 

“Yes?” She asks, looking straight at me. I find myself at a loss for words suddenly. The sun is caressing her beautiful face, her amber eyes are looking only at me and my heart has vastly increased its pace. “Well?” I swallow a lump. 

“It’s good to see you.” I tell her, wanting to kick myself. Of all the stupid things to say. 

“It is?” She asks, raising an eyebrow. I frown. 

“Why would it not be?” 

“Well, I suppose that is a fair question. I just never thought you would want to see me again, or it would be nice for you.” She answers, a crease in her forehead. “It is also good to see that you are well Alpha. If that was all?” 

“It’s just Grady.” 

“I’m sorry?” 

“My name. It’s Grady. You should not address me by my title.” Hazel’s amber eyes lock onto mine, and this time there’s determination and distance in them.

“That absolutely not be appropriate, Alpha. I am a pack member, plain and simple. I intend to leave and not come back after the funeral. My life is not here, and has not been here for almost 5 years. Besides, I don’t think your Luna or Luna to be, whichever it is, would approve of another female calling you by your first name.” I open my mouth to ask her what she means. There is no Luna or Luna to be. But as I do, her eyes cloud over, and her face contorts in pure anger. She gets up, rushing from the library with me hot on her heels. She runs up the stairs, where I can hear shouting and we descend on a screaming match between Hazel’s friend Kaia and Josie. When Hazel comes to the scene, her child leaves the friends arms to run to her, but Josie grabs her and shoves her to the ground, hard. 

“AND SHE COMES BACK WITH FUCKING BASTARD CHILD, WHORING HERSELF OUT TO EVERY MALE THERE IS I ASSUME! YOU DISGUST ME, HAZEL!” Josie screams, while the girl cries on the ground. Hazel kneels besides her child, asking if she is alright. She is, and I’m about to grab Josie by the throat and throw her ass out a window, when my mate orders her friend to take the girl and go inside the room. Her rage rains down on Josie as she grabs her sister's hair and punches her face, breaking her nose. 

“You do not ever touch, look or speak to my daughter EVER again, Josie! Do I make myself clear? If you do, I will not hesitate to rip you apart limb from limb.” Josie is whimpering and sending me pathetic looks. Hazel however seems oblivious as she drags her sister by her hair down the stairs.

“Would you please open the door for me?” She politely asks a maid, who immediately does as she is asked. “Thank you so much.” Hazel throws Josie out the door and onto the ground outside.

“Just wait until my Luna ceremony is done, bitch! I will make sure you are banished and that abomination of a bastard child will be dead before your eyes. Just wait and see!” Josie gets back on her feet and flees the premises before Hazel can do anything further to her. She whirls around on me instead. 

“OUT!” She yells, and I put my hands up. 

“Hazel.”

“GET OUT! You are going to make that incompetent self centered bitch the Luna after all? Good fucking luck. Get out before I throw you out!” As much as I want to see her try to throw me out, I calmly walk out the door and put my hand on it before she can slam it in my face. I must admit, seeing her like this is a huge turn on, and I’m proud as hell for the way she is standing up for herself and her little one. 

“I will never make Josie the Luna of this pack, Hazel. There has never been anyone but you. Not before, not after. If you end up rejecting me, I will rule alone or give the mantle to someone who is mated - Adrian if his mate accepts him. I will prove it to you, win you back! You are it for me, Hazel. Take it or don’t. That is the truth.” I turn around to leave, expecting the door to slam behind me, she closes it quietly. Maybe I actually got through to her just now?