Hazel stormed out of the large pack house, a low growl rumbling in her chest. Alonzo and the guards hurried after her. "Hazel, stop!"
She whipped around, eyes blazing. "We are leaving." Alonzo sighed, obeying Alpha Quinton’s order. Looking back at the house, Hazel saw Quinton watching her through the window, brow furrowed in concern.
*Packs hate us. Why does he look so concerned?*
Realizing Hazel was already walking toward the open gate, Alonzo jogged to catch up. When he reached her, she was already sitting in the car, staring out at the woods. He sighed and climbed in beside her. "Hazel, what’s wrong?" Hazel remained silent, her gaze fixed on the trees. “Hazel, I won’t let you leave until you tell me!”
"Start the car."
"Hazel—" Alonzo began, but something caught his eye.
“Start the car *now*!” He quickly turned the key, but before he could drive, a massive black wolf leaped onto the hood, its red eyes burning with malice. "Vargulf!" Hazel shouted, staring into the beast’s eyes. It snapped its jaws, baring teeth stained with old blood.
Hazel flung open the door, transforming mid-leap as she hit the ground. Her clothes ripped apart, falling away as she landed on all fours. Fur the color of rich chocolate brown, eyes the shade of hazel. She lunged, growling, knocking the Vargulf off balance. She dug her claws into its chest.
She hated Vargulfs. They were Lycans who killed indiscriminately, consuming only a fraction of their prey. Disgusting creatures, fueled by aggression and monstrous hunger.
Her teeth sank into the Vargulf’s chest, and it howled in pain. Suddenly, the beast found strength, shoving Hazel beneath it. She growled, teeth bared. The Vargulf brought its razor-sharp teeth towards her throat when, without warning, it was forced off her by a large brown wolf.
The wolf bit into the Vargulf’s chest, and whimpers escalated into loud, agonized howls until the creature fell limp.
Hazel looked towards Alonzo, who was standing beside the car. He looked shocked for a moment, then recovered. He turned towards the car and pulled a large t-shirt from the glove compartment, tossing it at Hazel.
Hazel shifted back into human form, quickly pulling on the shirt. The wolf that had helped her shifted, revealing Quinton. Alonzo grabbed a pair of tracksuit bottoms and threw them at Quinton, hitting him in the face. Quinton groaned and pulled them on. Hazel kept her gaze fixed on the dead Vargulf.
“I hate those things,” Hazel mumbled. She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. “And you thought *we* were the threat…”
“Yeah…” Quinton said slowly, and an awkward silence descended. Hazel stood up, the shirt falling to mid-thigh.
“Let’s go,” she announced, her bare feet sinking into the wet grass. She bent down and lifted her boots, which had fallen beside the slightly open car door.
“Wait!” Quinton exclaimed, standing up. “Hazel, we can work this out.”
Hazel closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Look, it’s not going to happen. My pack needs me. Without me, the history of my pack wouldn’t exist. My family spent years getting to where we are now, and I’m not going to be the one to destroy it.”
Hazel stumbled slightly as she looked at the car, assessing the damage. A crack spiderwebbed across the windshield, and the hood was dented in two places where the Vargulf’s paws had landed. “Alonzo, we’re going to take the other car with the guards. I’ll send someone to get this one later.”
Alonzo nodded. The guards and he headed towards the other car, ducking inside.
*Better go. It’s my mother’s birthday party tonight.*
Taking a step forward, a hand gently grabbed her wrist, sending a jolt through her and raising goosebumps on her arm. Refusing to look at him, she heard him sigh.
“Hazel… you’re my mate, and I want—I want us to work it out. We can still have separate packs.” Hazel shook her head, her gaze fixed on the ground. “Can we at least try? Can we at least get to know each other?” He pleaded, his heart breaking silently.
“I have to go. I have a birthday to attend,” she pulled her wrist from his grip and walked away.
“Please…” The car engine rumbled, and Hazel turned to face him, opening the door.
“My advice is to bump up your guards and security if you have those creatures lurking around,” she gestured to the dead Vargulf and slid into the passenger seat. “Bye.” She slammed the door shut.
Alonzo paused, looking at Hazel. He opened his mouth to speak. "Don't. Just drive and that's an order."
With the car disappearing into the forest as the night sky began to appear over the horizon, Quinton watched it go and growled.
*Hazel, I will have you. You are my Mate.*
Turning around, he stomped back toward the pack house.
*How could she just reject me so easily? The moon and the stars put us together, why couldn't she see we are made to be together?*
He snarled, causing everyone to turn and stare. “What are you looking at? Get back to work.” The pack members scurried away, quickly returning to their tasks.
He stormed into the pack house, where his Beta was waiting for him. “Quinton, are you alright?”
“Yes,” he growled, his wolf straining at the leash.
“She’s your mate, isn’t she?” Easton asked, trailing behind Quinton as he headed upstairs.
“Yes, she is. And she wants to reject me!” He shouted, anger cracking his voice. He slammed his fist against the wall, the sound echoing through the empty halls. Easton remained silent, unsure what to do or say. He had known Quinton for ten years, but never seen him so angry, upset, and frustrated.
“Why?”
“Because she’s an Alpha and doesn’t want to leave her pack. She’s very much made up her mind.” He slid down the wall, sitting on the ground, his head in his hands as if it weighed a ton. He closed his eyes, blinking away the tears. He wouldn’t be weak. He simply wouldn’t allow it.
“Well, you’ll just have to win her over, won’t you?”