~~ HAZEL ~~
Apart from hunting, there's no other means to feed, so I had to go with my brother and we looked for a way to sneak into the packs so we could sell the animals we hunt.
When we were done locating the roads, we resumed hunting again since we were done with our little hut.
That day seemed so sweet to hunt, maybe because I still have my birthday in mind, though two days have already elapsed.
"Let's celebrate your birthday with the squirrel, it's not too late." My brother said to me and I smiled.
"But we have to go sell these ones first before the celebration, isn't that better?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "It's better, when we sell them, we will buy some food stuff from the pack market before sneaking out again." He added.
We left together to the nearest pack near the wood and sneaked into it. We didn't bother to ask adults on the way to the palace, rather we asked the children playing around.
But before we could reach the palace, we already sold all the meat and only decided to go see the palace because of the next time.
We bought food items with the money we got and then made our way out of the pack as well.
When we arrived home, Zion left to get me flowers. He designed the surrounding with different types of flowers, then began singing for me.
"I am supposed to do this on your birthday even though I sent you a flower through Alpha Earl. But that day was something else to us, so let's do it today." He pleaded with me.
A smile appeared on my face. "It's okay, why not start preparing the meat? I'll start preparing our meal too so we can celebrate it with them." I uttered and moved to the stones we have put together for cooking.
For two days, we've been eating the food we got while still in our pack. A big thank you to Zion for always hunting and buying food stuff.
When we were, we began eating the meal together. Enjoying the squirrel that Zion prepared himself.
And within that same moment, we began hearing footsteps approaching us but were still walking around the bush.
"Some people are here. Aren't you hearing footsteps?" Zion said to me and stood up staring around.
He picked up his bow and an arrow from the floor.
"Drop that Zion, so you won't hurt someone again." I scolded him, but he shook his head.
"What if they're enemies?"
"Then it's better to take the sword." I referred to him.
He drew out his sword from the case, Zion is always brave and fearless when it comes to fighting.
"Drop those weapons, we are not here to hurt anyone." I heard a masculine voice that echoed in the bush.
I turned my head to see that they were guards from the palace.
"The king sent us to go search for you and get back to the palace, while your brother returns to your father's house." One of them announced to me.
Zion turned his face staring into my eyeballs.
~~ ONYX ~~
After the priest left, I went into a deep thought about what he just said.
I couldn't be myself because I don't know what to do, marrying Selah and losing the throne… or marrying my weak mate and being mocked by other Alphas of other packs.
It seems like a taboo for an Alpha king to be married to a weak Luna, talk more of one who doest have a wolf at all.
"Why not give in to marrying your mate instead of losing the throne?" I heard Earl's voice but didn't see him.
When I got down from the throne, he showed up with Nykon.
"Dude, what's bothering you this way? Still about your mate?" Nykon asked me.
"I don't think the priest is aware of who my mate is." I added.
They scoffed.
"Don't say that, he knows everything more than you." Earl replied.
"Then he shouldn't persuade a king to make a wolf less human his Luna." I hissed aloud.
"But she's strong, there's nothing there. Just marry her for the sake of not losing your throne. She might get a wolf soon." Nykon advised me.
"If you marry her just because you want the throne, then you will never treat her as your Luna." Earl added.
He's used to being against our wish when it comes to Hazel, even before I found out that she's my mate.
"Do you think I'll treat her like a Luna? She will still be a slave while I enjoy my life with Selah. That cursed lady can't bear me a child." I retorted.
It is expected that the alpha's lineages are always strong, if Hazel gives me a child, then there's every possibility for one of my children to be weak, and I don't want that.
"Look, it's better you send out the guards to go search for her now." Nykon suggested.
"What of the rejection? You'll have to denounce it before she will be crowned and you two will be bonded." Earl screamed.
I glared at him and he smiled at me.
"I'll denounce it, and I'll give her a separate room after her coronation and our mating ceremony. I'm very sorry if I'm going to be a cheating husband… but she's a rag to me." I heaved a big sigh of relief.
Nykon was smiling at me, while Earl focused his gaze on me. But I don't care.
I'll do with Hazel what I want, she will be a slave in this palace despite being Luna.
She will be molested by everyone until she gives up on being the Luna. I'll make sure she feels the pain of having a cheating husband.
I called out for the guard standing at the doorpost, and he came closer.
"Tell the chief guard to gather some other guards, they should go in search of Hazel and make sure they return with her here." I declared, and the guard left.
I am using her to gain the throne, apart from that… Hazel is worthless to me.
~~ HAZEL ~~Three days after I returned to the palace, I was crowned the Luna of Blue moon pack.It was something to be happy about, but to me, it was something else. The king had already told me that I'm not his Luna, rather he's keeping me beside him because he doesn't want to lose the throne.What the hell! He's only using me, and not because he loves me.He renders curses on me even in the presence of everyone and calls me abusive names.It seemed like a dream to me when I was given a different room from his, and he ordered me never to step my feet in his room without his order or he would skin me alive.My mate is cold hearted. He doesn't suit me at all.Despite that I was crowned in the presence of everyone, he still turned me into a slave and made sure that I'm bullied.His sister is recovering quickly, maybe I'll leave the palace again when she's okay because I might not withstand the pain.The only one who's nice to me is Earl, his friend and then his parents. But still, I do
~~ HAZEL ~~I was dragged to the backyard and tied to the tree over there. The ropes were hurting my skin and it began bleeding."Fifteen strokes of cane." One of the guards muttered and pulled out the cane at his side."Why not let me go please? I did nothing, he's cheating on me." I referred to the guard who was about to use his cane on me.He stared at me for a while and sighed. "I'm sorry, it's an order given to me by the king… and I might lose this job if I don't obey him." He replied politely.I could sense that what he's about to do isn't from the depth of his heart, but he had to because there's no other option left for him.He stared at his cane and moved closer to me, then gave me the first slash on my arm.I groaned in pain as he gave me the second and third slash. Taking a look at my arm, it was bleeding profusely.The cane is so sharp that it pierces into one's skin.He was about to give me the third slash when someone held his arm upwards.I adjusted my head with the tea
HAZEL'S POV; As soon as the dowager queen left my room, I fell onto my bed and burst into tears. Nothing seems to turn out well for me and I begin to wonder if the curse that has been placed upon me is also affecting every aspect of my life because why would I be mated to someone who hates me more than anything? Everything seemed bleak and I decided to stay locked up in my room for a while. That way, I'd be out of Onyx's way. He doesn't even want to see my shadow and so do I. Somewhere in the deepest part of my heart is nothing but hate for him. It's starting out as a seed and I believed that in no time, I'd hate him with everything I have in me. I have been miserable my whole life thinking that my mate was somewhere waiting to claim me and be my redemption. I feel like I just walked into destruction. I suddenly begin to regret why I even chose to marry him in the first place. My wounds have been tended to but it still hurts. I can't heal fast or even at all becau
HAZEL'S POV; As soon as I shut the door leading to Onyx's room, I lean against thr wall by me and heave a sigh of relief. I was scared for a moment, thinking he was going to do something terrible like throwing me into the dungeon. But he did nothing. He only smacked me across the cheek and I am already quite used to being slapped by him. I move away from the wall and start walking down the corridor. I pass by Cherry's room. It's locked. I stop walking. I wish I could go into her room and check if she's getting better. Everyday I pass by her room, I feel really guilty and I wish I wasn't there in the woods, hunting, when they arrived. That would have saved me all of this drama. She's been sick for weeks and everyday, I suffer for that one mistake I made. Sighing, I move to her door and raise my hand to the handle but I stop myself when I hear footsteps coming behind me. Turning, I realize it's Onyx and he's glaring at me. "What are you doing there?!" I mo
HAZEL'S POV; Some of the maids have taken a liking to me. Theresa is one of the maids who I became friends with and I'm surprised. I mean, not everyone likes me and then she's all supportive whenever I need her. There's a dining chair in the room and she takes a seat beside me. She's holding two bowls. One containing chicken soup and the other containing boiled, mashed potatoes. My favorite. "What happened?" She asks. Pulling the bowl towards me, I shrug. "Well, I was asked to leave the dining room by Onyx. I had no option," "Did the Dowager Queen ask you to stay?" "Of course, she did. Onyx's father also did. But somehow, Onyx did not agree. Slightly threatened then by saying he was going to leave the dining room for us. Remember he rarely eats with us. His mother had no option. She didn't want to tell me to leave but I had to. I know she wants to dine with him and probably knock some sense into his head," Theresa laughs. "And you think he's going to
HAZEL'S POV; "You can run away, Hazel. Leave this pack, find somewhere to live with your brother. You don't have to be with a man who treats you like crap and only keeps you because you are of use to him," "I was forced to marry him, Theresa. You won't understand." I bow my head in shame. I've not cried since today but I am doing that right now. Tears begin to slip down my eyes and no matter how I try to hold back, it's basically useless. Theresa takes a seat directly beside me and wraps a comforting arm around me. "I'm sorry, Hazel. It's just the truth. I hate that a good person like you had to go through this. It's not fair. You don't deserve it and yet, you keep being treated like a piece of crap. You're such a wonderful person and you deserve more. And I am also sorry that you can not leave no matter how you try to. Must be testing." I nod and take the handkerchief she hands over to me. I wipe my tears before blowing my nose. "Thank you, Theresa. You've been wond
HAZEL'S POV: Throughout the ride, I am silent. I mean, is there any reason for me to speak when I am seated directly behind a man who doesn't even acknowledge me? Moments ago, he had pushed me against the car door and that had to be the most embarrassing thing ever as he had done it before our driver. I'm sure rumors about me being maltreated would start to spread but trust Onyx to fish out the culprit and do something about it. According to the guard who had come to inform me of the development, I was told that there would be a meeting at the pack this afternoon, after which there would be a dinner party. I'm not ready for it. I never was or never would be. But somehow, I was able to find a modest dress. I'm sure it's not even going to top the dresses I'd be seeing today but I don't care. I don't care about my reputation. Onyx would suffer for this. I can already imagine these women peeking at my dress and laughing at how basic it is. All fault would go to Onyx
HAZEL'S POV: I feel my blood turn cold when people only acknowledge Onyx without even looking at my side. They probably think I'm his Luna's maid. "See why I told you not to talk to anyone?" "It's not my fault." "Whose is it, then?" Onyx as and looks at me sternly. "Your fault. I understand that you hate me but I think it is absolutely ridiculous that you would bring me to such an event dressed in this manner," We were walking towards some people who were in a group, talking and laughing over drinks but he stopped and looked around before glaring down at me. "Did you think I wanted to bring you here with me? Do you know how embarrassed I am right now, standing with you?" What he says tears my heart apart but I have to be strong enough so I don't break down in front of everyone. "I know. But this would have been avoided if I had dressed properly. You should learn how to cover your shame in public and since I am your shame, you should have done the righ