"What?" I expected the disbelief in his eyes and his voice, so I just closed my eyes and nodded, seeing nothing wrong with his behavior.The day my father had died was undoubtedly one of the worst days of my life. He was the best dad ever, and I couldn't ask for more. Him being alive delayed my imminent omega status, and he never let me suffer despite our low statuses. But on those days...on these days when he was a little less human..when he was a little less like my father...I believed it was the price I had to pay for surviving alone. The price I had to pay for the other days of bliss that he gave me. The price for being me.I swallowed hard as Austin knelt in front of me, then slowly traced his fingers on my stomach. He looked at me, and his eyes glistened with the tears I never let my father see when he drunkenly did that. The tears I swallowed no matter what as he put the sharp edge of the knife over the open fire, his other hand holding mine.It was the price I believed I had

I went red in the face, the heat immediately setting my skin on fire. I heard Austin laugh, like he did it on purpose, knowing just how big of an effect he had on me."Stop." I said, meekly, my defense weak, just like my knees.He walked to me, taking in a deep breath. I watched him, my eyes fixed somewhere between his face and his chest. Probably hovering around his neck. Before I knew it, he was in front of me.He took my face in his hands, cupping them so they filled his hand. I swallowed, forcing myself to look up to him. He was studying my face like it was the last thing he wanted to do."You are gorgeous, Hazel."My breath hitched, more with the look in his eyes than with his words. He looked like he meant every single word he said, and he held my gaze even as he leaned into me, then slowly took my lips in his. Warmth erupted through every nerve in my body, and I held his hoodie tight.The kiss was not desperate, like he was trying to prove to me that he did, in fact find me go

I gave a small sigh and pulled the dress back up, closing my body up. I turned to the closet, and pulled out every single dress I had in there. This would be a first time thing for me, but I would do it for myself. Because I am tired of not feeling like I am enough.I pulled out the dress I had been stalking away, the ones that had slits and the ones that exposed my stomach, I pulled them all and dumped the more closed up ones.I swallowed and pulled them in to the bag, put out some of the lingerie Eve had gotten, the shoes...the only conservative thing in my box was probably my robe.I sighed and sat on the bed once I was done with it, my breath coming slowly. I had exerted myself sorting out through everything and it did feel refreshing. Accepting who I was, even though it had taken so long, felt so refreshing.I smiled up at the ceiling, tears filling my eyes. I have been this restrained person for so long. This person who was too afraid to come out of the walls I built for myself.

I held Austin's arm tight as she took a step closer to me, and her eyes slowly drifted across to Austin. I turned instinctively to him, but his face was set in expressionless too, his hand holding my waist to keep me on my feet. Seeing him so determined gave me a big of confidence and I swallowed as I turned back to the healer."So she is the one. The substitute I have heard of.""Just check her, healer. Her status does not affect anything." Austin said, his voice cold.She flickered her eyes to him, then back at me. "All of that is good and all, but...do you not realize how powerful a mate bond is? How can an entire pack be so nonchalant towards a mate bond, especially that of the alpha? What were you thinking?"My breath hitched as her eyes thinned in a little judgemental look. I could tell she didn't have good news for us. My eyes lifted to Alpha Evander behind us. He looked a little disgusted too, like he absolutely didn't understand how Austin could disregard a mate bond to be wi

I stirred a little and turned to the other side, and my eyes fell on Austin. He was sitting facing me, his elbow propped half on the headrest, his eyes fixed on me. My eyes slowly widened as I straightened."Are we here already?" I asked, my voice sleepy.He slowly nodded. "Yes.""You should have woken me up. You must have been tired from driving all day." I squinted my eyes at him. The sun was setting behind him, the sheen causing his hair to turn a golden brown, and make his red eyes a little lighter than they actually are.He smiled and extended his hand to me. "I thought you looked too pretty that way. I wouldn't mind waiting for you."I smiled, and he let go of my hand, then got out of the car. He went around to my seat and opened my door for me, and waited till I got out."Go on. I will bring in our stuff."I nodded and went in, my arms stretching on their own. My neck felt a little stiff, and once I made my way into the house, I found a couch to rest and I just went on it.When