Rising hope

Hazel followed Damien down the hall, her head lowered and her hands trembling. She felt the weight of the pack’s glares burning into her back, even though the corridor was now empty. The Alpha’s sudden defense of her had left her confused, frightened, and even more unsure of her place.

Damien stopped abruptly and turned to her. “Look at me.”

Hazel hesitated, clutching her tattered dress.

“Hazel,” Damien said firmly. “Look at me.”

Slowly, she raised her head, her wide eyes meeting his.

“You are not a slave anymore,” he said, his voice steady but intense. “You are my mate. Do you understand what that means?”

She blinked, struggling to process his words. “I... I don’t belong here,” she whispered. “I’m just an omega... the daughter of—”

“Stop,” Damien interrupted, his tone sharp. “You are not defined by your past. I don’t care what anyone says. The Moon Goddess chose you for me, and I will honor that choice.”

Hazel’s lip quivered. “But the pack—”

“The pack will learn to respect you,” Damien cut in. “And if they don’t, they’ll answer to me.”

Hazel stared at him, unsure whether to believe his words. His confidence, his presence, it was overwhelming.

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed in the hall, and Lady Celeste appeared, her elegant dress flowing behind her. Her eyes, sharp and cold, zeroed in on Hazel.

“What is the meaning of this, Damien?” Lady Celeste demanded, her voice dripping with disapproval. “You can’t possibly mean to claim her as your mate.”

Damien squared his shoulders, his protective stance placing him firmly between Hazel and his mother. “I do mean it. She is my mate, Mother, and I won’t hear any arguments about it.”

Lady Celeste’s lips thinned, and she crossed her arms. “You’re making a mistake. An omega? The daughter of traitors? This will destroy your reputation and weaken your leadership.”

“I don’t need you to lecture me on leadership,” Damien replied coolly. “The decision has been made.”

“Damien, think about this,” Lady Celeste pressed. “The pack will never accept her. You are an Alpha. You need a Luna who will command respect, not—”

“Enough,” Damien said sharply, his voice echoing in the hall. “The pack will respect her because I demand it. And if anyone, including you, has a problem with that, they can leave.”

Lady Celeste’s eyes widened, her shock quickly replaced by anger. “You would choose this girl over your family? Over the pack?, your father will curse you from the grave for this” 

“This isn’t up for discussion, mom” Damien replied firmly. He glanced at Hazel, his expression softening slightly. “Come with me.”

Hazel hesitated, unsure if she should follow. She cast a nervous glance at Lady Celeste, whose glare could have burned holes through her.

“Now, Hazel,” Damien said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As they walked away, Lady Celeste called after him. “This isn’t over, Damien. You’re throwing away everything we’ve built!”

They entered a large room that Hazel assumed was Damien’s office. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books and documents, and a massive desk stood at the center. Damien gestured for Hazel to sit, but she remained standing, unsure what to do.

“Sit,” he said, softer this time.

She slowly lowered herself into the chair, her hands gripping the edge nervously.

Damien leaned against the desk, folding his arms. “I know this is hard to believe” he said. “But I need you to trust me.”

Hazel looked down at her hands. “I don’t know if I can,” she admitted quietly. “All I’ve known is pain and rejection. I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” Damien replied. “You’re my mate, Hazel. That means you’re my equal. I won’t let anyone treat you otherwise.”

“But... I’m not like you,” she said, her voice trembling. “I’m weak. I don’t deserve—”

“Don’t say that,” Damien interrupted, his voice firm. “You are stronger than you think. You survived everything this pack put you through, and you’re still standing. That’s strength, Hazel.”

She looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes. “I’m scared,” she whispered.

Damien knelt in front of her, his gaze steady. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again. I promise.”

Before Hazel could respond, there was a knock at the door. Damien stood, his expression hardening. “Enter.”

The door opened, and Selena stepped inside, her face a mask of anger and disbelief. “Damien, we need to talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Damien said coldly.

Selena ignored his tone, her eyes darting to Hazel. “This... omega doesn’t belong here. She’s going to ruin everything.”

“Enough, Selena,” Damien said, his patience wearing thin.

Selena stepped closer, her voice desperate. “Damien, please. You know I’ve always been by your side. I’ve supported you, cared for you. I’m the one who should be your Luna, not her.”

“That’s not your decision to make,” Damien replied. “The Moon Goddess chose Hazel, and I will honor that choice.”

Selena’s eyes filled with tears, though her anger burned brighter. “You’re making a mistake,” she hissed.

Damien’s gaze was icy. “The only mistake I made was letting you think you had a chance to disrespect my mate.”

Selena glared at Hazel, her hands clenched into fists. “This isn’t over,” she spat before storming out of the room.

Hazel’s heart pounded as she watched the exchange. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Damien was standing up for her—again.

Damien turned back to her, his expression softening. “Don’t let her get to you,” he said.

Hazel nodded slowly, though doubt still gnawed at her.

Later that evening, Damien called a meeting in the pack’s main hall. The room was filled with murmurs as pack members whispered about the strange turn of events.

When Damien entered with Hazel by his side, the room fell silent.

“I have an announcement to make,” Damien began, his voice commanding.

Hazel’s heart raced. She had no idea what he was about to say.

Damien looked at her, his gaze steady. “Hazel is my mate, and she will be my Luna.”

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“To solidify her position,” Damien continued, “we will be married.”

Hazel’s eyes widened in shock.

“And to anyone who dares question this decision,” Damien added, his tone sharp, “remember that I am your Alpha.”

Before Hazel could process what was happening, Damien turned to her and leaned down, pressing a delicate and gentle kiss to her lips in front of everyone.

The room erupted into chaos—gasps, cheers, and angry whispers filled the air. Hazel, filled with emotion, barely heard any of it.

She stared at Damien, her heart pounding. For the first time, a feeling of hope lit in her chest. But was it real?