Darryl’s POV I knew she was following me. From the moment I stepped out of the classroom, I could hear her soft footsteps trailing behind. Even if Hazel tried to be quiet, she couldn’t hide from me. Not from a werewolf. Every movement of her was impossible not to notice. And then there was her scent. Sweet and warm, like vanilla and wildflowers, it wrapped around me and pulled me closer to her even as I tried to put distance between us. She didn’t know. Of course, she didn’t know. A human who would never feel the same magnetic connection that I felt every time she was near. It was getting hard just bearing this feelings alone. The thought burned through me as I reached the office door and knocked. Her golden eyes flashed through my mind, and I had to grip the doorframe to keep my hands from shaking. The way she’d looked at me earlier in class... it was like she could see straight through me. I wanted to grab her then and there, pull her close, and tell her the truth. I
HAZELI sat in the back of the classroom, half-listening to Mr. Thompson’s lecture as he rambled on about ancient folklore. My mind wandered, but I didn’t mind. The subject of the day was something I loved—animals that could turn into werewolves. Stories about the supernatural were practically my lifeblood. Anything paranormal, really, and I was all in.Mr. Thompson’s voice cut through the haze of my thoughts. “Today, we’ll talk about a fascinating part of history—the legends of werewolves. You’ve all heard them, I’m sure. The beasts who live among us, hiding in plain sight. But who can tell me… what causes a person to transform into one of these creatures?”I shifted in my seat, glancing around. Some students were whispering, others scribbling in notebooks. Darryl, of course, was sitting in the back, as usual. Mr. Thompson’s gaze landed on him, his eyes gleaming like he already knew what he was going to ask. “Ah, Darryl. I believe you might know a little about this one.”Darryl looke
HAZELI stood in front of my closet, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for a sweater, then pulled back, frowning. "It's just a project," I whispered to herself. "Just a project at Darryl's house. Nothing more." What was I even doing? Why did it feel like I was preparing for some life-altering event instead of a school project?The day Darryl had approached me to discuss the assignment replayed in my head. I’d been sitting in the cafeteria, minding my own business, when he’d walked up with an expression unreadable as always.“So…when do you want to work on the project?” he’d asked.I had frozen, not knowing what to say. How could I form words when he was standing so close with his intense gaze fixed on me? Before I could stammer out a response, he’d pulled out a slip of paper, scribbled something on it, and handed it to me."Here's my address. Just come over whenever you're ready," he’d said with a calm tone and I took the paper without q
DARRYL Stepping outside was the only way I could keep myself in control. Hazel’s presence had been suffocating in the best and worst ways. The scent of her clung to my senses like an addiction I couldn’t shake. Being around her made me feel like I was about to lose control, and the last thing I wanted was for her to see me like that. I stood in the cool night air, leaning against the side of the store. The mate bond was stronger than I had ever imagined, pulling at me, tearing through every wall I had built over the years. I took a deep breath, rubbing my temples as I tried to calm the storm raging inside me. Being near Hazel made everything harder. She was my mate, the one person who could bring me peace, yet she was also my greatest danger. Claiming her would mean putting her life at risk. Malachi would sense the bond, and he wouldn’t stop until she was dead. I shook off the feeling and pushed myself off the wall as I walked back into the store. The first thing I noticed was Ha
DARRYL The tension in the pack house was something I could feel. I stood beside my father, Alpha Darius, as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the map spread across the table. The borders of our territory were marked in bold, and the neighboring packs were carefully labeled. Our discussion had been going in circles for the past hour.“Darryl, if we don’t solidify the treaty with the Silvermoon Pack, we’ll have an open flank to the rogues,” my father said. “They’ve already encroached near our northern borders.”I nodded, the weight of my soon-to-be role as Alpha pressing down on me. “I understand, Father, but Silvermoon’s Alpha isn’t easy to deal with. He’ll want concessions.”“Concessions are a small price to pay for security,” he replied sharply, tapping a finger on the map. “You’ll need to handle this with precision. Show strength, but also tact. That’s what makes an Alpha.”I didn’t argue. My father’s wisdom was hard-earned, and I knew he was right. Still, the responsi
HAZEL“So, there I was,” Amy said between giggles, “trying to explain to Trevor why werewolves in medieval history were misunderstood, and he just stares at me and says, ‘Amy, are you sure you’re not secretly one of them?’ Like, seriously! Who even says that?”I snorted. “Trevor said that? Oh my gosh. Please tell me you didn’t confirm his suspicions.”Amy grinned mischievously. “I told him, ‘Well, if I were, you’d be the first one I’d eat.’ You should’ve seen his face! I thought he was going to pass out right there.”I doubled over, nearly choking on my drink. “Trevor’s probably drafting an essay on why Amy is the most likely candidate for a werewolf now. You’re giving him too much ammo.”Amy waved her hand dismissively. “Let him. It’ll make his presentation more interesting. Honestly, it’s his fault for being so gullible.”Her laughter was contagious, but my thoughts drifted to my own project with Darryl. The humor faded from my expression as I recalled how awkward and tense everythi
DARRYLThe clang of swords echoed across the training grounds as wolves fought under the golden afternoon sun. I stood at the corner, watching two pack members wrestle, their claws skimming dangerously close to flesh. But my mind wasn’t on the combat in front of me, it was miles away.Alpha Darius’s words from last night still rang in my ears: “A powerful mate from the pack, Darryl. That’s what we need. Not a human girl who knows nothing of our world. If you insist on Hazel, I won’t step down. The pack comes first.”I exhaled sharply and looked down at my hands which was already clenched into fists. I’d always dreamed of becoming Alpha—not for the glory or the power, though those were tempting enough. It was the change I wanted to bring. I’d seen the cracks in the pack’s system for years, the inequalities no one dared to question. Like how Omegas were treated.Or how pack politics always favored the strong and influential while the weak were left to fend for themselves.My father was
HAZEL The moment the bell rang, I shoved my notebook into my bag and made my way out of class. The hallway buzzed with students as usual, But my mind was elsewhere. Amy. We hadn’t spoken all day. Actually, we hadn’t had any classes together, but even that felt… off. Ever since that incident with Katrina in the cafeteria, I’d been worried. I’d asked Amy a few times how she was doing, but her answers were vague, distracted. It was like she was there, but not really there. Something wasn’t right. Stepping into the corridor, I hugged my books to my chest, my eyes scanning the crowd of students spilling out of classrooms. Where was Amy now? I had no idea what her schedule looked like today, but I was determined to find her. She was my best friend—if something was wrong, I had to know. I started walking down the hall, peeking into classrooms as I passed, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Just as I was about to check another classroom, a familiar voice called out to me. “Hazel.”
HAZELA knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. I paced back and forth in the living room, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. Every few seconds, I glanced at the screen, willing it to light up with a message, a call, anything. The weight of what I’d done in Dad’s office pressed down on me. I replayed the scene in my mind, searching for any slip-ups, any mistakes I might have made or any details I had missed. Had I left any trace of the hand sanitizer? Had I left any fingerprints? Had I been too obvious?The house was quiet, but it was a tense kind of quiet. I could feel Dad’s anxiety radiating through the walls. I knew he was making calls and receiving calls, his voice was tight and clipped. Then, the phone rang. The sharp sound cut through the silence, making me jump. Dad answered it in the living room, his voice strained. I pressed my ear against the wall, trying to hear what he was saying.“Yes… I understand… Thank you… Yes… I’ll be there.”The conversation was short, mostly
DARRYL My room felt small like the walls were closing in on me. I replayed the scene over and over: the police at the pack house, Mayor Thompson’s cold stare, the search of my room. It didn’t make sense. How had they found us? No human had ever breached our territory before. And now, after I’d brought Hazel here, they somehow showed up.I wanted to believe her. I clung to the memory of our moments together, the shared vulnerability and the trust that had bloomed between us. I remembered her fear when I told her about the shirt, her confusion, her genuine concern. It felt real. It had to be real.But the timing… it was too much of a coincidence. The seed of doubt, though tiny had been planted. I fought against it, pacing the floor, running my hands through my hair. The urge to shift, to let Shadow take over, was almost overwhelming. It would be easier to let the wolf handle this to push away the confusing emotions. But I resisted. This was my fight.I thought back to our conversation
HAZELThe cold metal of the silver bullet felt heavy in my palm. I turned it over and traced the carvings on its surface. It wasn’t like any bullet I’d ever seen. It was clearly handmade, not one of those mass-produced things you’d find in a store. My dad always had a thing for silver. His watch, a family heirloom, was silver. Even the necklace he gave me was silver. I glanced at the other bullets nestled in the velvet box. Was there more to it than just a fondness for the metal? I shook my head, forcing the thought away. Now wasn’t the time for speculation. I had a much more pressing problem to solve. I carefully placed the silver bullet back in its box, but not before slipping one into the pocket of my jeans. It was a reckless impulse, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed it.My focus snapped back to the nylon package in the drawer. The shirt. I needed to deal with the shirt.I peeked out into the hallway. Empty. The usual police station bustle was a low hum in the backgr
HAZELThe weight of Darryl's words pressed on me: "They're coming for me." I couldn't let that happen. He was innocent. My dad, blinded by something I didn't understand, he was going after the wrong person. I would protect Darryl, no matter what it took. My mind raced, searching for a solution. If they tested the shirt, they would find Jake’s blood, and that would be it. Darryl would be arrested. I had to prevent the test.My plan was simple: keep my father close. If I knew what he was doing, I could anticipate his next move and protect Darryl. The perfect cover? Boredom. It was a weak excuse, but it was the only one I had. If I acted too eager, my father would become suspicious. I put on a casual outfit, trying to look like I was simply looking for something to do."Dad," I said, walking into the kitchen where he was reading the morning paper. "I'm… bored. Really bored."He lowered the paper, a surprised look on his face. "Bored? Why don't you call Lucian or Amy."They’re busy,” I l
HAZELThe library would be my sanctuary today. It was quiet, and felt far away from the chaos swirling around me. I needed to distract myself. Badly. Darryl wasn’t answering my calls. It made my stomach twist into knots. Then there was my dad. I was so angry with him. He was keeping secrets, controlling me, and now… now he was going after Darryl. It felt like my world was crumbling.I wandered through the tall bookshelves, pulling out random books. Nothing seemed to hold my attention. Finally, I found myself in the paranormal section. I picked out a thick book with a dark cover. It was about werewolves. I settled into a quiet corner, hoping to lose myself in the story.The book started like any other werewolf novel, talking about full moons and shifting. But then, I turned the page and my breath caught. There was a picture. Not the usual handsome man turning into a wolf, this was different. This wolf was massive with glowing red eyes and thick, dark fur. The caption underneath read, “
DARRYLI leaned back against my bedroom door and smiled. Hazel’s scent was still here, and the memory of our shared embrace, the feeling of her tears against my shoulder, warmed me from the inside out. It wasn’t much, but it was something. I felt hope for the first time in what felt like forever, a feeling I'd almost forgotten.I ran a hand through my hair, replaying our conversation in my mind and chuckled softly. I’d even managed to keep Shadow relatively calm during our close moments. It felt like we had finally turned a corner.“She believes me,” I murmured.My smile faded as the image of Alpha Darius’s face flashed through my mind. The Alpha’s words echoed in my ears: “A human mate? It’s impossible, Darryl. Dangerous.” Luna’s disappointed gaze followed. They’d already chosen Katrina for me. The thought sent a surge of anger through me. I balled my fist, the joy of the past hour dissolving into a bitter anger.I slammed my fist into the wall and growled. The impact sent pain throu
HAZELMy heart sank as I heard my father’s voice. I barely had time to process the shock of seeing my broken bicycle in front of the house, let alone figure out how it had ended up here. I turned slowly to face him, the storm in his eyes was unmistakable. His face was tense as if he were holding back a fury that could snap at any moment. "Why did you disobey me?" “Dad... I—” I stuttered, not knowing how to explain myself, not knowing what he wanted to hear. I wanted to tell him everything, to say that I hadn’t meant to disobey him, that I had only gone out to clear my head, to escape the storm that was raging inside me. But the words wouldn’t come. He was looking at me like he expected me to have a solid reason. “I wasn’t planning to meet him or anything.,” I finally managed to say. “I just… I just needed some space, that’s all. I went out to clear my head and I happened to meet him in the woods.”He shook his head slowly, as if the answer was too obvious for me to see. “I know eve
HAZELThe silence around the table was almost suffocating, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being scrutinized, even though no one was speaking. They had been unusually quiet after the question about the silver necklace. I could tell they were waiting for an answer, but I was struggling to put together the right words. Why did he ask about the necklace? What did it mean to him? What was going on in their minds?I looked at Darryl for a moment, but he was staring at his plate, not acknowledging me. I felt a tight knot form in my stomach, unsure of how to answer and I couldn’t shake off the discomfort that was settling in me. “It’s from someone who meant a lot to me,” I finally managed to say. I wasn’t sure if that was enough of an explanation, but it was all I could offer.Darryl’s father gave me a nod, as if my answer was sufficient. But before the conversation could continue, Darryl cut in firmly. “Enough, father. Enough, mother.”His parents fell silent. “Hazel ju
HAZELThe shower’s warmth still lingered on my skin as I stepped out of Darryl’s bathroom, wrapped in a towel. My hair hung in wet strands as it clung to my shoulders. After dressing quickly, I stared at my reflection. The girl in the mirror looked tired, her eyes dull despite the rest she’d gotten. Pull it together, Hazel, I told myself. Today was Saturday, and while I should feel relieved not to rush home for school, a pit formed in my stomach.Dad.Last night, he'd bombarded me with calls, the incessant ringing drilling into my mind. But this morning? Nothing. No texts. No calls. The silence was too loud. It felt wrong—off, even. It was all suspicious, but I pushed it away. There was no time to dwell on it now.I stepped out of the room and the door clicked softly behind me. The house was quiet. For the first time, I noticed how large it was. The ceilings stretched high above me, and the halls seemed to go on forever. I remembered being on Darryl’s back last night, clinging to him