Lahat ng Kabanata ng His Mate Or His Step-Sister: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

~HAZEL~I can hear the lively cheers echoing through the bustling crowd surrounding us, their voices blending into a vibrant chorus. They're chanting our names loudly, urging us with enthusiastic applause to step onto the stage, so everyone can catch a glimpse of the newly selected couple. I hear the relief in the applause, as everyone seems glad that we were the ones chosen and not them. We had been anxious, fearing that one of our family members might be chosen for the hunt today. However, we never in our wildest dreams imagined that not just one, but two of us would be selected instead, catching us completely off guard.Ariel glances at my step-brother, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and the look of sadness on her face makes my heart sink. Now, she has to watch us together on the big screen, her silent pain cutting deeper than any words could.For five long months, Ashton and I will find ourselves thrown into the remote, unforgiving wilderness of the most dangerous woods o

~HAZEL~"I won't be long," he assures me, his eyes briefly meeting mine before he turns and steps deeper into the woods. He doesn't give me another chance to stop him, disappearing into the shadows as the sounds of his heavy footsteps fade. Since yesterday, a series of unsettling events had unfolded, each more disturbing than the last, making our situation feel even more hopeless. The ominous, shadowy woods surrounding us seemed to stretch endlessly, their twisted branches like silent keepers watching our every move. I couldn't help but ponder on the possibilities of what dangers might lie ahead on our third day stranded in these awful woods, where every rustle and snap of a twig heightened my anxiety.Hugging myself tightly, I yearned for the warmth and safety of home—a stark contrast to the cold, untamed wilderness around us.Time was still on our side, but the main rule of the game remained unchanged. Ashton and I had five months to make a crucial decision. If we didn't mate, exec

~HAZEL~It's day seven since Ashton and I have been stranded in these untamed woods. We've only had water—a few rivers and streams we managed to find—since we were thrown into this relentless wilderness. Our search for food has been futile; every attempt to find something to eat has ended in disappointment, leaving us desperate and weak. I was beginning to hallucinate, seeing visions in the darkness that weren't really there. I've never gone this long without any food. Even if I shift into my wolf form now, it would be useless for a hunt because my senses are dulled, and I'm too exhausted to track or chase. Ashton kept leaving me behind, often claiming that I would only slow him down if I tried to follow him into the forest during the hunt. Each time, I was left with nothing to do but keep a constant watch for dark, creepy creatures lurking in the forest, searching for their next meal under the dim moonlight. Even though he used my inability to fight back as an excuse for his action

~HAZEL~When I open my eyes, I feel a cool, damp cloth pressed against my forehead, its dampness soothing yet slightly chilly. Ashton sits nearby, his face etched with worry as he stares intently into the flickering flames of the fire, the orange glow casting shadows that dance across his features. The last memory I have is of feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me, followed by darkness engulfing everything.I grimace as a sharp pain shoots through my stomach; I am still painfully hungry, the gnawing emptiness in my abdomen reminding me how long I've been without food. I carefully push myself upright from the cool, soft surface where I had been lying, my movements slow and deliberate to avoid dizziness. My quiet, almost trembling sounds catch Ashton's attention, prompting him to swiftly glance over at me with concern in his eyes. He rushes over, reaching out with gentle hands to support my back and help ease me into an upright, seated position, his touch reassuring and firm. "Hey,

~HAZEL~I hug my body tightly, seeking comfort as the chill of the night seeps through my clothes. We don't have any blankets or coverings to keep us warm, and the coldness tonight feels dangerously intense, almost unhealthy. I suspect it's no coincidence, and that someone deliberately left us in this frigid state to force us to depend on each other for warmth. Ashton seems to realize this too, and I notice the anger simmering in his gaze as he stares out of the dark, menacing mouth of the cave, his jaw clenched tightly.We were in deep trouble but at least we were no longer as hungry as we were a few hours ago. "I feel like I'll freeze to death," I whisper as I shiver from the cold. My words don't go unnoticed by my step-brother, whose body stiffens instantly in response. His jaw clenches subtly, and his eyes narrow as he sharply tilts his head. Instead of speaking, he surveys the cave, focusing intently on the jagged rocks and uneven walls, as though searching for a hidden clue o