Chapter 04 The past
Hazel"What are you doing in the forest little princess? "I turned in the direction of the familiar voice and smiled.The soothing female voice that sang me a lullaby and read me stories before I fell asleep."I'm looking for mushrooms, mama. It has been a long time since we tasted it. I'm tired of meat and vegetables. ''I said and turned around, then continued to pick more mushrooms."The forest is not a safe place for you or anyone at your age. It's too dangerous. You made me scared. "I saw worry in my mother's eyes and she heaved a deep sigh.Sigh of relief because she had found her missing princess."I'm sorry that I came to the forest without your permission. It's just that...I knew you wouldn't allow me, that's why I decided to sneak. "I confessed, fiddling with the helm of my dress."It's okay. Don't ever do that without my permission, right? "She asked and I nodded, "We can buy mushrooms from the market, you don't have to come all the way here. Come on, let's go back home."Mama smiled warmly at me and held my little hands and we began to walk towards the pack. After a few steps, she stopped all of a sudden to listen to the surroundings.I raised my head and looked at my mother in confusion because I didn't know what was going on."Mama is something…"I was about to say more words when my mother gestured for me to remain silent, "Shhh..."She said.She bent on my level and held my hands, then gave them a little squeeze. There was worry in her eyes and her hands shook on mine."I want you to run back to the pack and don't you dare look behind no matter what happens, okay."She told me and a sad smile graced her lips."What about you? "I asked, afraid and worried. "Don't worry about me, okay? I want you to listen to your mama. "She brushed hair strands from my face and tucked it behind my ear carefully then planted a gentle kiss on my forehead."I want you to have this. "She removed a pure gold necklace from her neck in a hurry and hooked it on my neck then smiled."Take good care of this necklace, okay. "My mother told me and I nodded. "Okay. Promise me that you're going to come back to me and Daddy. "I said and tears flowed from my eyes because her words sounded like goodbye to me"Run! They are near. I will try to distract them, okay. "She whisper-yelled and I obeyed, hesitantly. I turned around and began to run just like my mother had instructed. I didn't want to be stubborn this time.When I was some distance away, I heard a painful cry..."Mama..."I woke up from the nightmare. My heart was pounding wildly against my ribcage, I closed my eyes and tears flowed from my eyes. My hands found their way to my neck and I touched the necklace."Mama..."I said in almost a whisper, touching the necklace so tightly as though doing so would help me calm down. I have never removed the necklace since she hooked it on my neck."Hazel...Are you okay? Did you have a nightmare? "Sebastian asked me, I guess I shouted so loud that I woke him up."Why? Why does everyone always leave me all alone? "I asked him and he was silent. He cupped my face and wiped tears from my eyes but it continued flowing.I felt like a seven years old girl again, lonely and scared. The memory was so fresh in my mind, as though it happened just minutes ago."I'm not going to leave you all alone. It's just a bad dream. I'm here with you. I'm not going to leave you all alone, okay. "He said, his voice soothing and it held a promise.I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply. Why were the memories of the past coming back? Perhaps it was triggered by what happened between me and Sebastian. I'm afraid of losing someone else who is dear to me.He pulled me into a tight hug and patted my back so gently and gave my body a little squeeze. I closed my eyes and allowed him to hug me because I needed comfort. I didn't want to feel lonely and abandoned again. I wanted an assurance that I'm not going to be a lonely and broken little princess."Come on, you need to get some sleep. I'm not going to leave you, okay. "He repeated his statement from earlier and I nodded my head, wiping the remaining tears from my eyes.He brushed the dark hair strands from my face and tucked it behind my ear, then planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes, his lips were warm and comforting against my sweaty forehead.The kiss reminded me of my mother's last kiss in the forest, on the forehead. Fear crept into my heart. The wounds that I have been nursing for years were open.Sebastian helped me to lay back on the bed and fixed the pillow for me, then smiled. It was an assurance smile, assuring me that he won't leave. A small smile plastered on my lips."Let me fetch you a cup of water from the kitchen. "He was about to turn around and get off the bed but my hand subconsciously grabbed him and he turned back to look at me, creasing his eyebrows."Please don't leave me, "I said and tears flowed from my eyes. My eyes pounded against my ribcage so hard that I thought it would explode in the next second."I'm only going to the kitchen to fetch you a cup of water. I will be back before you even know it. "He asked and I shook my head almost immediately."I'm fine, I don't feel thirsty, "I said and a convincing smile graced my lips. I moved on the bed to create some space for him.He creased his eyebrows but nodded to my words regardless. He knew I was lying, he knew me too well. I sucked when it came to lying but I didn't care at the moment.I moved close to him and he pulled me into his warm embrace and I snuggled impossibly close to him. I felt him press his lips on the top of my head and a small sigh escaped my lips. My grip on him tightened."Goodnight. "He whispered, his voice was gentle and soothing. I responded by clinging onto him, hoping that he would be able to keep his promise this time. He won't leave me all alone as everyone has always done.He won't throw away six years that we have spent together as husband and wife. After being awake for minutes, I finally managed to fall asleep and this time the nightmare didn't come back.I fluttered my eyelashes softly to get rid of the blurry vision. I heaved a sigh of relief when I realized that Sebastian was beside me. He hadn't left as he had promised me.He kept his promise.My eyes welled up but I blinked countless times to hold back tears. I couldn't help but imagine one day waking up to an empty and cold bed.He was sleeping so peacefully and I didn't want to wake him up. I climbed down from the bed, slid into yoga pants and wore his shirt to surround myself with his scent then went for my morning runs just like other days.The pack members looked at me as though I had grown a second head or something. I didn't need a prophetess to tell me what was going on."They already know that their Alpha found his fated in the annual ceremony," I told Mia and she howled in my head. My heart pounded wildly against my ribcage, fear and worry getting the best of me I could see happiness in some pack members eyes while some looked at me with pity. It was a dream of every pack for their Alpha to find his fated mate because that meant he would become more strong.I wondered if they cared about me, about how I felt and all the sacrifices I had made for them, for the pack. I jogged back to the house, my heart beating wildly from the exercise and some unexplainable fear."Good morning. "Sebastian greeted me and smiled as soon as I entered our room. He was already awake. He had taken a shower, his eyes were wet from the shower and he smelled so fresh.My lips curved into a dim smile, responding to his greeting and I walked to the bathroom to freshen up. I stepped under the warm running water after tugging off my clothes. I stayed under the shower for a few minutes, my mind wandering around.I went back to the room and changed into comfortable clothes. My heart dropped when I looked at myself in the full-length mirror. My eyes were bloodshot and swollen.When I was done with everything, I went straight to the car to wait for Sebastian so that he could come and drive us to the meeting. He came and realized that I was already inside the car. I didn't focus on what he was doing when he entered the car, my mind was miles away from my body.I was startled when he touched my hand that was resting on my lap. I looked at our intertwined hands, then raised my head slowly to look at him and we locked eyes, I looked deep into those ocean-blue irises and my heart skipped a beat."I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for everything, Hazel. "He said and gave my hand a small squeeze. His hand was warm against mine and I swallowed hard.I stayed quiet and looked at him because I didn't know what to tell him,my lips curved into a small smile and a sigh escaped my lips. The drive to the meeting was silent. I looked out of the window, finding peace in looking at beautiful nature and flying birds.We finally arrived at the meeting and everyone was present, the councils and everyone. I greeted them, however, I didn't miss those weird glances. The meeting began since we had a lot to discuss, matters concerning our pack and the new ideas that we learned in annual ceremony.I contributed less in the meeting which was not normal. My mind wandered around most of the time and I was proud of Sebastian because he led the meeting so well. He understood what I was going through and didn't pressure me.A sigh of relief left my lips when the meeting finally came to an end."Sebastian, we need to talk. "William, one of the council members told Sebastian, grabbing his hand and leading him away.Fear crept into my heart, they didn't call me to accompany them which was not odd. They always consulted with both of us about something that concerned the pack.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Perhaps my opinion is less needed in whatever they're going to talk about. I reasoned out.Sebastian followed the man hesitantly, he stopped in his tracks and looked at me when he was a few steps from me and I smiled at him and nodded, assuring him that he didn't need to worry.I'm going to be fine."We have heard that you found your fated mate in the annual ceremony in Silver Pack.''I heard the bald man say and I swallowed nervously. My heart palpitated and my hands began to shake uncontrollably but I tried my best to remain calm."What's your plan? When are you planning to bring her in the pack and claim her?"The bald man asked shamelessly, he didn't care what his words did to me.Sebastian was quiet; I wondered why he wasn't answering. Was he thinking of a date?. The thought of it made my stomach twist painfully and my heart ached, as though someone was squeezing it into a tiny breath and it was becoming hard for me to breathe.Sebastian turned his head to look at me and I couldn't help but look away."I have no plan of bringing her to my pack or claiming her. Mountain pack already has a Luna and that's Hazel Del Mundo. My chosen mate. "He said, a sigh of relief escaped my lips and that's when I realised I have been holding my breath.I closed my eyes and a single tear dropped from my left eye."So stubborn. "The old man laughed mockingly."You better think things through, young man. Your father was brave. He claimed his fated and took her as his Luna. That is because he cared about the pack and his lineage. "He said shamelessly.I knew about Seb father's story, Alpha Adam. I heard it from the pack members since I was a small child and my father even told me since he was his Beta. When Adam found his fated, he claimed her immediately and made her his Luna. He abandoned his chosen and banished her from his pack.The bald man's words were like a two-edged silver dagger that pierced my heart without mercy. I turned around and walked to our car which was packed at the entrance, far away from where they were standing.I didn't want to listen to their conversation anymore. Tears flowed from my eyes effortlessly; I entered the car and tightened the seatbelts then turned my head to look at Sebastian and the old man.I saw them arguing and I was thankful that I wasn’t around them. It was evident that Simon was happy that Sebastian had found his fate.Simon wanted Sebastian for his daughter Arabella years ago. However, Sebastian chose me and turned him down. I know he is still holding the grudge against me. He's looking for a way to revenge, he has never liked me.I wiped tears from my eyes using the back of my hand. I didn't know how Sebastian got inside the car, he looked angry. He tied the seatbelts and closed his eyes, running his fingers through his jet-black eyes."Are you going to follow his advice? "I asked him, holding my breath.Two weeks passed and I didn't hear anything from Sebastian's mate. I did my background check with the help of Monalisa, one of the east Lunas who is my friend.Alexas is Alpha Raymond's daughter from the West. She was invited in annual ceremony by her cousin Alpha Leonard, the Alpha of the Silver Moon pack where the annual ceremony took place.She's the only child of Alpha Raymond. Her mother died while giving birth to her and she was raised single handedly by her father.Monalisa dug deep and even brought me a picture of Alexas. Even though I didn't want to admit it because it hurt damn much. Alexas is a beautiful woman. She has long brown hair, blue eyes which resembled Sebastian's and an hourglass figure."I hope she won't show up in our peaceful lives again," Mia told me and I didn't know how to respond to her statement."I hope so too."I told my wolf and she was quiet. I heaved a sigh and closed the files that I was going through inside my Luna's office.Sebastian was not around,
~Hazel~It felt like time was moving in slow motion.I couldn't believe what was happening. I wished it could be a nightmare so that I could wake up in my bed and Sebastian hug me tightly."Wha...what is she doing here?" I asked, my voice full of worry. Mia howled in my head, sensing danger.It was silent, everyone was silent and it made me more scared. I looked at Sebastian and he looked away. I turned my head to Matteo and I saw uncertainty in his eyes."What are you doing here Alexa?"I asked her and she trembled.My voice was cold,I didn't want to be nice to her."I didn't come to cause harm, Luna Hazel.I'm only seeking refuge in your pack because mine is destroyed. The dark prince attacked our pack and took my father as his captive. He gave up himself to save mine."She said and tears poured from her eyes."Why mountain? There are so many packs you could go to.Why here?"I asked her and she bowed her head, avoiding my questions."Why didn't you go to Silver Pack?.I believe Alpha Leonar
~Sebastian~Hazel turned her back on me and faced the wall when she saw me walk to the our room. She moved on the edge of the bed leaving a big space for me.It was evident that she didn't want me to be any closer to her.Hazel didn't talk to me the whole day.She was quiet throughout the journey to Silver pack and back.I tried to crack some jokes but she didn't laugh,I was met with silence and I kept my jokes to myself.She avoided me at all costs and all I could do was to stare her from afar.Heaving a deep sigh, I climbed onto the bed and moved close to her.Ignoring her reaction from earlier."You'll fall off the bed in the middle of the night. I don't bite."I said, sounding funny to lighten the mood. I tried to touch her and pull her in the middle of the bed but she pushed my hand away."Don't touch me."She woke up and looked at me, pain flashed in her brown hazel eyes. I wanted to stretch my hands and touch her beautiful face but I restricted myself."Are you going to reject her or n
~Hazel~I woke up and went for my morning runs as usual,I took a warm shower and dressed up for the day. I looked at myself in the mirror as I tied my hair into a ponytail and I didn't like what I saw.A sigh escaped my lips when I realised that I had lost some weight. There were dark circles under my eyes because of lack of enough sleep. I had nightmares often about my mother and I found it hard to get some sleep afterwards."Good morning."I heard his husky voice pierce through the quiet air but I didn't bother to look his way.I turned on my heels and walked out of the room without looking back at him.He had come back the shower.It has already been one week since Alexa moved into our house.I have asked Sebastian to tell her to get out of our house multiple times but every time he's about to chase her something would come up and it would become hard for him to do it.Alexa is so dramatic, she would collapse on the ground or go to her knees and start pleading. Sometimes she would
~Hazel~"You can ask me anything on this earth but don't ask me to let you go because I won't, Hazel. I can't let you go."Sebastian hugged me so tightly and soft sobs escaped my lips."You're mine, Hazel. There is no way, I'm letting you go. I love you. I promised your father that I would protect you from anyone who wants to harm you. I'm not letting you go."He shook his head vigorously and clung to me so tightly as though he was afraid that I would escape through the window and run away.I fought to get break free from his suffocating embrace and he let me go. Tears streamed from his eyes as well."You're hurting me, Sebastian. You're doing the exact opposite of what you promised my father. I can't take it anymore, Seb. Please let me go. Please reject me so that I can be free from this chains of fate."I begged for my freedom. I would have rejected him and left the pack if I had the power to.However, I couldn't since rejection needs both parties.He needs to accept the rejection so t
~Sebastian~"Where is Hazel?"I asked as soon as I got out of the car. Matteo bowed his head when he heard my question and I could tell that it was bad news.Matteo called me when I was in an important business meeting and informed me what had happened to the pack.My heart pounded wildly against my ribcage and thick sweat dripped down my spine. I couldn't help but feel some uneasiness. My eyes swept around the pack and my heart squeezed inside my chest. The Lycan prince's soldiers had destroyed my pack.However that was less of my concern.I turned around to look for Hazel by myself if Matteo didn't have the balls to tell me where she was."She's not around."I stopped in my tracks and froze in place when I heard Matteo's voice talk behind me. I turned around to look at him, holding my breath.I wanted to confirm if he was trying to pull a prank or whether he was serious about it. If it was a prank, it would be one of the scariest pranks ever. Matteo is good when it comes to pranks so
~Hazel~The track stopped all of a sudden and they opened the door. It was still dark outside, however, I was able to see someone being pushed towards the track."Monalisa…"I said in almost a whisper. Even though I wasn't able to see through the darkness clearly, I was able to notice her."Hazel…"She whispered my name as she climbed inside the track and sat beside me. The track's door shut and after a few seconds, it began to move once again.It was silent inside the track for some time."So he gave you to the Lycan soldiers as a trophy to prove that they defeated mountain pack."Monalisa inquired, her voice cold and full of hatred.Heaving a deep sigh, I shook my head gently."No, he didn't give me up. I was the one who gave up on myself. The prince's soldiers attacked the pack while he was not around, remember."I tried to make Monalisa recall and she nodded her head, remembering.She moved close to me and I laid my head on her shoulder like I have always done whenever we were caught u
~Hazel~The prince's cold fingers slipped under my chin and he raised my head slowly and carefully.His touch was gentle,and for a brief moment,I felt guilty for judging all the Southern men the day the bastard soldier slapped me. I looked him straight in the eyes, those icy grey eyes, daring him to do to me whatever he does to anyone who stared him directly in the eyes.His long,jet black hair was tied into a neat ponytail, high cheekbones, icy grey eyes which held no emotions in them, a chiselled jawline and perfectly carved eyebrows.He was so tall, easily seven feet and masculine.His fingers on my chin felt comfortable and I fought the urge to lean forward so that I could feel more of his touch."A half-breed."His voice pierced through the quiet air, deep and cold. I couldn't help but lean backwards when his name fell in my ear, looking for an escape from him.Monalisa looked at me, her eyes full of worry because she didn't know what would happen to me. The prince already knows my