Chapter 3
My parents were killed in a tragic accident, their lives cut short by a rogue attack during a pack run. Because of the close ties and the mate agreement between our families, Alpha Owens treated me like his own daughter, and Luna Salazar showed me compassion. But everything was upended because of Lachlan.
His faked death turned me from a cherished Luna to a scorned Omega. If it weren’t for Alpha Elijah, I might not have made it to this day.
As I was lost in thought, Elijah mind-linked me, his voice steady and reassuring. *I’ll be there in about 15 minutes, Hazel.* Today was his birthday, and I didn’t want to spoil the mood, so I chose to hide what had just transpired.
*I’ll bring Oakleigh to meet you at the entrance,* I replied, pulling myself together. I treated my daughter’s wounds, the sight of her scraped knees making my chest tighten, and we headed to the entrance of the pack gathering.
There, I unexpectedly encountered Lachlan, his arm draped possessively around Ayah’s waist, his lips brushing her cheek. Upon seeing me, he curled his lips into a mocking smile, his Alpha aura pressing down on me like a weight.
"Has reality finally kicked in, Omega?" he sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. "Well, if you realize your mistake, you can kneel and apologize to Ayah now, and maybe I’ll cut you some slack."
The pack members around us chimed in, their voices sharp and cruel:
"Yeah, hurry up and kneel. Let’s get a show before Alpha Elijah and Luna Hazel arrive."
Ayah feigned innocence, her voice soft but laced with venom:
"Lachlan, let’s not do this. It’s only going to make Hazel dislike me more. I can handle a little bit of hardship..."
As she spoke, her gaze fell on the locket around my neck, and she gasped, covering her mouth in mock disbelief:
"Sister, this locket... Isn’t it the one Alpha Elijah bought at the charity auction for his mate? How is it with you?"
The crowd was visibly stunned, their whispers cutting through the air like knives.
"Impossible. Did she really have the nerve to swipe something from Luna Hazel?"
"Besides the locket’s huge value, Alpha Elijah is absolutely devoted to his mate; he wouldn’t let this pass."
Upon hearing this, Lachlan’s face twisted with rage, his Alpha tone booming as he shouted at me:
"Hazel Gonzalez, how dare you steal Luna Hazel’s locket? Have you lost your mind?"
Lachlan rushed over, his Alpha aura suffocating, and violently grabbed my throat:
"Don’t think you can do whatever you want here. You can’t afford to cross someone like Alpha Elijah!"
I fought free from his grip, gasping for air, and glared fiercely at him, my voice trembling but defiant:
"I am Luna Hazel. How dare you question me wearing my own locket?"
The entire room erupted in disbelief, their laughter and jeers echoing in my ears.
Lachlan laughed hysterically, his Alpha tone cutting through the noise:
"If you’re Luna Hazel, then I’m the Lycan King. Seriously, stop dreaming; we’re dying of laughter here!"
The crowd joined in the laughter, their voices cruel and mocking:
"She has no shame. Imagine trying to climb the pack hierarchy with such wild claims."
"She’s really lost it, spewing these crazy lies."
My daughter, Oakleigh, bravely shoved Lachlan, her small frame trembling with defiance:
"You can’t bully my mom!"
Ayah’s two sons immediately reacted; one bit my arm fiercely, his teeth sinking into my skin, while the other pushed Oakleigh down. She fell, further injuring her knees, and cried out, her voice breaking:
"Just wait till my dad arrives; he won’t let you get away with this!"
Right then, the entrance stirred, the crowd parting like the Red Sea as Elijah appeared, his presence commanding and his Alpha aura radiating authority. His sharp suit only accentuated his powerful build, and his eyes burned with intensity as he took in the scene.
Oakleigh shouted, her voice filled with relief and anger: "Dad, you’ve finally arrived! They were bullying me and Mom!"
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