Marry to Alpha or Vampire?

After leaving Elmer’s house, Hazel returned home and sat on the couch, deep in thought. She had spoken with Elmer at length, and she was confident that he couldn’t be the one who attacked a McGo Family member. From Elmer’s expression, it was clear he had no knowledge of the incident. It was likely all Sheila’s doing. She had stolen Elmer’s badge and replaced it with a fake one. Sheila had taken advantage of Elmer’s kindness and his love for her.

If Elmer discovered Sheila’s true intentions, what would he do?

As the scent of lunch wafted in, Hazel decided to put her thoughts aside for now. Perhaps she should enjoy a delicious meal.

“Hazel, lunch is ready,” her grandmother called from the kitchen.

Seeing the expression on Hazel’s face, her grandmother could guess that something was bothering her.

“Grandma, I know,” Hazel replied and walked over to the dining table.

There was a feast laid out: Mexican burritos, delicious lemon garlic wings, chili cheese fries, and fresh orange juice.

Gerard emerged from the backyard, joining them at the table.

“What’s going on?” Gerard asked, sensing Hazel’s emotional state. She seemed troubled.

“What?” Hazel shook her head, indicating that nothing was wrong. She didn’t want her grandmother and Gerard to worry.

Hazel’s grandmother stepped out of the kitchen, exchanged glances with Gerard, and then took her seat at the table.

“Let’s eat,” Hazel’s grandmother offered a lemon garlic wing to Hazel and smiled at her.

“Tonight, I’ll stay at home. I’ll go back to the estate tomorrow,” Hazel said as she took a sip of orange juice. She missed everything about home. But somehow, she had become accustomed to having Cyril around, and there was something more significant to address: she had to fight Alpha Voss, and the stakes were Cyril’s life. She couldn’t afford to lose this match.

“This is your home. You can come back anytime,” Hazel’s grandmother said with a smile.

Hazel nodded, and she picked up a french fry, enjoying her grandmother’s cooking once again.

After lunch, Hazel returned to her room, hoping for some alone time to sort through her thoughts. But before she could contemplate further, she noticed a new note on her bed.

“Such a pity I didn’t kill you.”

Hazel’s eyes shifted slightly. She recalled the night she had been ambushed. The appearance of this note was not coincidental. Someone had left it here. This room was not safe, that was Hazel’s first thought.

She had no idea how long the note had been on her bed or if her grandmother had seen it. The question was whether the person assumed she had been in this room all along or if they waited for her to return before leaving the note.

Hazel felt like she was trapped in a maze, and there was no way out.

She clutched the note tightly, hoping it might provide some clues, but before she could think more, she lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

Cyril reached out to Hazel through the mindlink. It was already dinnertime, and Hazel had slept for hours.

“Hazel,” Cyril’s deep voice resonated in Hazel’s mind, and she buried her head under the covers.

“Cyril, I’m sleeping,” Hazel mumbled, and on the other end, Cyril fell silent. Maybe he shouldn’t have contacted Hazel at this time.

“I just wanted to know about Elmer,” Cyril spoke again, but it wasn’t the only reason.

Hazel rubbed her eyes, trying to stay awake, and she recounted her conversation with Elmer earlier in the day to Cyril.

“I don’t think this has anything to do with Elmer,” Hazel expressed her thoughts. “We should focus on Sheila.”

“I understand,” Cyril responded.

“Is there anything else?” Hazel furrowed her brows, feeling like she hadn’t slept enough.

“Hazel, don’t you have anything to tell me?” Cyril’s voice carried a hint of anger. He knew Hazel all too well, and he expected she wouldn’t think of him once she returned home.

Hazel’s mind cleared a bit, and she sensed Cyril’s displeasure.

“Cyril, I’ll be back tomorrow,” Hazel said. She had been away for less than a day.

“I know,” Cyril replied tersely.

“One more thing, I received another note,” Hazel showed the note in her hand to Cyril and told him about it.

“Bring the note back to the estate tomorrow,” Cyril’s tone was indifferent, as if it were an unimportant matter. Hazel pouted, feeling irritated by Cyril’s attitude.

“I will,” Hazel said and ended the connection.

She got out of bed and selected a comfortable outfit from her closet. The sky outside the window was darkening, and Hazel knew it was time for dinner. She touched her stomach, which was now rumbling with hunger.

Hazel descended the stairs, and her grandmother and Gerard were already sitting around the dining table. A delicious dinner had been laid out.

“Hazel, you always time it just right,” Gerard commented, looking at Hazel.

Hazel knew Gerard was teasing her, and she shrugged.

“Is Theo not back yet?” Hazel asked. Theo always seemed busier than anyone else.

“Maybe he’s running a bit late,” her grandmother replied, pouring a glass of corn juice and placing it in front of Hazel.

Just as she spoke, the sound of the door opening echoed from the yard, and everyone’s attention turned toward the entrance. Theo had returned, his face marked by weariness.

“Theo, it’s time for dinner,” Gerard called out to Theo. He looked visibly fatigued.

Theo took a seat at the dining table and looked at everyone. Hazel’s presence did not surprise him because when he had arrived at Alpha’s estate today and hadn’t seen Hazel, he knew what had happened.

Hazel’s presence made what Theo was about to announce feel more real.

“What happened?” Hazel asked.

“McGo Family has officially severed ties with The Iron Star Pack,” Theo stated, a hint of sorrow in his eyes.

“What?” Hazel’s grandmother’s voice was loud, and Hazel was taken aback.

Hazel clearly saw the shock in her grandmother’s eyes, and Gerard’s face momentarily displayed a similar expression. She didn’t understand why her grandmother and Gerard were reacting this way.

“Theo, are you saying that McGo Family and The Iron Star Pack have severed ties?” Her grandmother set aside her utensils, and a look of worry crossed her face.

Theo nodded, seemingly surprised by her grandmother’s reaction, as she had little to do with McGo Family.

“Kassandra made the announcement herself,” Theo glanced at Hazel, something they had planned ahead. It was part of Kassandra and Alpha Cyril’s strategy, playing their cards as they intended.

Kassandra’s announcement was just a piece of the puzzle, meant to make everyone believe that The Iron Star Pack would never gain support from McGo Family. Even if The Iron Star Pack was the largest Pack in the world, some would choose to distance themselves because no one wanted to get on the wrong side of McGo Family.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

They had to weed out disloyal Alphas, uncover those lurking in the shadows, expose the true identity of the fake Fiona, capture Putnam and Sheila, and deal with Janice, something Kassandra would handle herself. They wouldn’t interfere in all of McGo Family’s affairs unless Kassandra needed their help.

“What’s happening?” Gerard asked, looking anxious but not as nervous as her grandmother.

“A member of McGo Family was attacked, and Kassandra claims it was done by The Iron Star Pack, and they’ve found evidence,” Theo replied, keeping his head low.

“What evidence?” Her grandmother grabbed Theo’s arm, desperate for an answer. She couldn’t believe someone would attack McGo Family, given the importance of the werewolves and vampires who knew of them. It just seemed like an incredibly foolish thing to do.

“A badge,” Theo continued.

“Could Alpha’s request for everyone to turn in their badges be because of this?” Gerard chimed in, speculating on a possibility.

Hazel’s eyes darted between her grandmother and Gerard. Her grandmother’s reaction was too intense for someone who didn’t know McGo Family personally. Why did she react this way? As for Gerard, he usually steered clear of such matters, but this time, he was asking many questions. What was Gerard really trying to find out?