Rolling over in her bed amidst clean white sheets, Hazel rubbed her eyes. *Alpha, we need you downstairs.* The message came through mind-link from her Beta, Alonzo. A sigh escaped her lips as she rolled off the bed and onto her feet. Hazel ambled over to her oak wardrobe, pulling out black jeans and a maroon t-shirt. Dressed, she slipped on socks and black leather boots.
Hazel entered her ensuite bathroom and stood before the mirror. Lifting a brush from the counter, she quickly detangled her hair and tied her dark brown hair into a high ponytail. Then, she opened the cupboard for her toothbrush.
Once her teeth were clean, she began her descent downstairs to Alonzo and her second-in-command.
“Morning,” Hazel smiled softly, walking down the creaky stairs.
“Morning, Alpha,” both of them replied in unison. Hazel rolled her eyes and approached her third-in-command, Darcy.
Alonzo was Hazel’s Beta and had been for two years. He always maintained a clean, pristine appearance – essential for a Lycan. Small brown eyes and dusty blonde hair, neatly pushed back from his face. Not a single strand out of place. He was a giant, standing easily at six-foot-two.
Darcy, on the other hand, was small but fierce. Packed with energy, always on her guard. She didn’t bother with appearances or what others thought. She was committed and respected Hazel. Darcy had bright blue eyes, always brimming with life, and beautiful dark pink hair.
“So, what’s the big issue that woke me?” Hazel asked, looking at Alonzo.
“The pack has been accused of kidnapping a woman, from the Duskfall pack,” he informed her, running a hand through his blonde hair. Hazel sighed, folding her arms.
*Why do these Lycans not see we’re the least of their worries?*
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she groaned. “Looks like we’ll be taking a trip to Duskfall.” Hazel forced a tight smile.
“I’m coming with you, Alpha. Darcy will look after the pack,” Alonzo said, following Hazel into the kitchen. Her heels clicked along the wooden floor.
“Ok,” Hazel agreed, pulling open the fridge door. Scanning the contents, she reached for a strawberry yogurt. “Let me eat this, then we’ll get going. Darcy, please inform the pack of my absence today.”
“Alright, see you later,” Darcy skipped out of the room, her pink hair swinging behind her. Hazel peeled the yogurt packaging off and tossed the container into the bin. Alonzo passed her a small metal spoon, deciding to stay and keep her company while she ate.
“Why do you think they blame us?” Alonzo questioned, leaning forward on the table. Hazel leaned back in her chair, lost in thought.
“Because to them, we’re Rogues,” Hazel stated, the word tasting like ash. Alonzo nodded, waiting for her to finish. Once the yogurt pot was empty, Hazel tipped it into the bin and popped the spoon into the dishwasher. “Let’s go.”
“Let’s take the cars instead of shifting. I also want two guards to come with us. I don’t want to come off too intimidating,” Alonzo nodded and mind-linked his best men.
The Duskfall pack wasn’t far from Dreamland, only a thirty-minute drive. Hazel slid open the garage door and Alonzo followed. “We have to wait on Tim and Michael,” he told her, and she nodded. Slowly, Hazel walked over to the board with keys and picked out two sets. She threw one set at Alonzo, who swiftly caught it and grinned.
The two guards arrived through the same door Hazel and Alonzo had used. “Hey guys,” Hazel greeted, tossing the other set of keys their way. Tim caught the keys and nodded respectfully, Michael followed his lead. “You guys are driving together, and Alonzo and I will take the other car,” Hazel explained, and Alonzo unlocked his car. She slid into the passenger seat, and he started the engine. The engine rumbled awake, shaking the car slightly. He pressed a button on the car panel, and the garage door opened.
Alonzo drove slowly out of the garage, the guards following in the other car. Their cars drifted along the deserted roads. The whole way to Duskfall, they sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts.
When they arrived at the Duskfall grounds, Hazel could see wolves among the trees, lurking and watching. Their Alpha already knew they were coming, but it didn’t matter. They weren’t here to start a war, but to prevent one.
As the cars approached the walls of the Duskfall village, Hazel commanded them to stop. She stared up at the tall wooden gate, taking a deep breath. *Here goes nothing.* Slamming the door shut, she took slow steps toward the gate, her boots clanking with each stride.
Suddenly, two wolves came running towards her, growling. “I’m here to speak with your Alpha. I’ve come to solve a problem, not to begin one.”
Hazel knew they were mind-linking. She waited. Alonzo and the guards stood beside her as the gates parted. A man, who Hazel assumed was the Beta, stood at the entrance. Hazel confidently strode toward him and extended her hand. “Alpha Hazel of the Dreamlanders,” she introduced herself.
The man looked shocked for a moment, but quickly recovered. He shook her hand. “I’m Beta Easton. What is your business here?”
“I’d like to speak to your Alpha,” Hazel stated bluntly.
“Is that necessary?” He asked, folding his arms across his chest.
“Yes, I would like to discuss these false accusations,” she answered, resisting an eye roll. “I wouldn’t have travelled all the way here if it wasn’t necessary.”
“Follow me then,” he turned and walked away. Hazel motioned with her hand for Alonzo and her guards to follow. Strolling past the wooden gates, they received many stares and curious glances. Hazel held her head high and ignored the silent judgments. They reached the biggest building, with many windows. Their feet banged up the old wooden steps at the front. Suddenly, Hazel felt an overwhelming sensation in her stomach, although she remained calm.
Easton pushed open the door and walked inside. They followed, down halls lined with paintings of every Alpha who had walked those corridors. Easton stopped in front of a wooden door. Hazel’s stomach fluttered, a feeling she’d never experienced before. She watched Easton knock on the door, and it swung open quickly.
The most gorgeous man Hazel had ever seen stood before her. Light brown hair styled back from his face, thin lips perfectly shaped, a chiseled jawline, and beautiful brown eyes.
He reached out to embrace her. Hazel quickly but gently placed her hands on his chest, causing tingles from her fingertips to her toes. She took a step back, and he stumbled, confused.
*Mate.*
“I’m Alpha Hazel of the Dreamlanders,” Hazel composed herself, rolling her shoulders back. These feelings wouldn’t get the better of her.
“I’m here to talk about this kidnapping that we’ve been accused of,” Hazel continued.
“Right, well, I’m Alpha Quinton. Please take a seat,” he held the door open and gestured for them to come in. He tried to ignore the lust and attraction flooding him. With sweaty palms, he gently closed the door.
Ambling over to his seat behind the desk, Quinton looked toward Hazel. Her dark hair fell down her back in a ponytail, her pale complexion highlighted her bright hazel eyes – he’d never seen anything like them. Her lips were perfect and pink, and he shivered at the thought of how soft they would be.
Sitting down, Quinton looked toward who he assumed was her Beta, her guards standing outside the door. “Right, the kidnapping,” he spoke clearly, but he couldn’t get over the excitement of finally meeting his mate. Although his mate was a Rogue and the Alpha of these creatures, he found her anything but amazing.
“Yes, I’ve heard that my pack has been accused of taking this woman. We haven’t, and I want to make that clear,” her confidence shone like sunlight.
“Well, someone has informed me with this information. They said Rogues were seen wandering outside our land, the same night a woman was snatched from her bed. Your pack is the closest Rogues to us,” he leaned back in his chair, trying to stay focused.
“Well, we are not Rogues nor are we snatchers. We have lived in peace for the past ten years, why would I jeopardize that?” Hazel spoke loudly, anger bubbling inside her. How could they accuse her of such evil? Never mind as an Alpha, but as her mate?
Quinton stared at her and pursed his lips. “Where is she then?”
“How am I supposed to know?” Hazel spoke with annoyance. Folding her arms, she glared at the man she was supposed to fall in love with.
*Never.*
“I apologize for this disrespect I have brought upon you and your pack, I hope you can forgive me?” He spoke in a calm and collected manner. “However, I would like to speak with Alpha Hazel alone,” he looked toward Alonzo. Alonzo shifted his weight from one foot to the other, uncomfortably.
Alonzo nodded and mind-linked Hazel.
*Inform me if help is needed.*
The door made a quiet banging noise, and Hazel stared up at Quinton.
“Hazel…” Quinton got up off his black leather chair and approached her. Hazel watched him come closer, never taking her eyes off him. Unsure what to say next, Quinton sighed. “We are mates–”
“I know,” she harshly cut him off. Did she think she was stupid? Of course, she knew they were mates. “It’ll never work.”
“What do you mean?” Quinton asked, confused.
*Please don’t do this.*
“Firstly, your pack would never accept Rogues,” the word felt sour on her tongue. “Secondly, I am Alpha of the Dreamlanders, and I will not be the one to destroy that legacy.”
Quinton was lost for words. He waited for this moment his whole life and never expected it to go like this.
“My pack would accept yours, they would have to. I am their Alpha and they will listen to me, not complain,” he took another step forward, causing Hazel to stand. He just wanted to hold her.
“It would never work, we should just reject each other,” the words fell from her mouth without her thinking. Quinton’s heart crumbled into a million pieces, like he’d been stabbed repeatedly. His face paled to paper white as he watched her.
The look he was giving her made Hazel look away, unable to take the sharp pain she felt in her chest.
“No! No, we will work this out!” Quinton shouted, placing his hands on her shoulders. Electricity ran through her, and she looked back up to his shiny brown eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Hazel shrugged his hands off and turned around, leaving him standing alone.