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(Hazel's POV)
The first rays of dawn filtered gently through the carriage's crystal windows, casting delicate patterns of light across the plush interior. Hades, seated beside me, stirred as if sensing my shifting sleep, his hand brushing lightly across my arm.
"Hazel," he murmured, his deep voice soft yet edged with possessiveness. "Wake."
I blinked slowly, my senses emerging from the fog of slumber. My body felt rested, safe, the lingering fever of the past days entirely gone. As my eyes focused, I realized Hades' dark gaze was fixed entirely on me, a storm and a promise both entwined within it.
"Good," he said, his tone deceptively casual, though every muscle in his frame seemed taut with careful vigilance. "You're awake."
I rose slowly, brushing the sleep from my hair, and allowed him to help me from the carriage. The moment my feet touched the soft earth, I gasped. Moon Vale stretched before us like a world conjured from a dream — glowing flora shimmered like scattered stardust, wooden abodes rose organically from the hills, their roofs glowing faintly with protective enchantments, and crystal streams meandered through the village, reflecting the soft, silver light of the moon that still lingered in the dawn sky.
Even the air smelled alive — fresh, earthy, and tinged with magic. Every step I took made me feel lighter, as if I were walking on the boundary between reality and a storybook realm.
"Beautiful," I whispered, almost forgetting Hades and Ares behind me.
He didn't reply immediately. Instead, his sharp eyes swept over my face, as if memorizing every detail. "Are you alright?" he asked finally, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back.
I nodded. "I… I think so. It's just…" My words trailed as my gaze swept across the kingdom again. "I've never seen anything like this. It's… breathtaking."
Hades' expression softened briefly, but only for a heartbeat. Then it hardened again, that subtle shadow of protectiveness settling over him. "What did you see in your sleep?" he asked.
I blinked. "I… I don't remember. Nothing specific. Just… awe, I suppose."
His lips pressed into a thin line, and I felt the heat of his presence radiate around me. I could tell he wanted to dig, to probe, but chose restraint.
As we walked through the cobbled paths toward Lycan's abode — a grand structure of interwoven timber, carved stone, and natural magic that blended into the environment — I couldn't help but notice the inhabitants of Moon Vale.
Shirtless, muscular men moved through the streets, carrying out their daily routines with a practiced grace, their fur glistening slightly in the morning dew. I felt my cheeks flush immediately, biting my lip as the Ariana side of me sparked with mischief.
One of the men gave a sheepish smile as he passed, a small nod of acknowledgment. Another grinned, flexing slightly as if aware of my gaze. My heart fluttered. The human thrill of attention — innocent yet intoxicating — coursed through me, and I couldn't resist waving back.
Hades' eyes narrowed, a storm darkening behind his gaze. Beside him, Ares bared his fangs subtly, a predator's silent warning. The men scattered, some with nervous chuckles, others muttering under their breath.
A little boy, no older than seven, approached me cautiously, holding a small, luminescent flower. "You… you look like a goddess," he whispered.
I crouched down, smiling warmly. "Thank you, little one," I said, taking the flower and pressing it lightly to my chest. I hugged him, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek. He beamed, then scampered off.
Hades and Ares both shot daggers at the boy. I shook my head, scolding them. "You two are hopeless. He's a child, not a warrior."
They both froze for a heartbeat, glaring at each other, and I suppressed a giggle. The absurdity of it all softened the tension slightly.
Lycan's abode loomed ahead. It was built from giant, living trees, their roots intertwined with polished wood and stone platforms. Smoke from hearth fires spiraled gently into the sky, mingling with the faint luminescent mist that hovered above the village. A group of werewolves — his elite guards — lined up behind the doorway, all alert yet exuding a natural, easy strength.
Lycan himself emerged, his towering frame imposing yet not overbearing. His eyes softened when they landed on me, though I could feel the subtle tension of his mate bond lingering beneath the surface. Behind him, his elite men stood proudly — many shirtless, their muscles gleaming in the pale light, powerful and alert.
"I see the Moon Vale welcomes us," I murmured, keeping my voice light. My gaze couldn't help but wander slightly — my Ariana side thoroughly awake and enjoying the human admiration, the playful thrill.
Hades' jaw tightened subtly, a flicker of jealousy crossing his expression. Ares, meanwhile, leaned just a fraction closer to me, the faintest trace of a possessive grin on his face.
Lycan stepped forward, his voice deep and resonant. "Hazel," he said, bowing slightly. "You honor us with your presence."
I smiled warmly. "Thank you, Lycan. Your kingdom is… breathtaking."
Hades' gaze burned into me, unreadable yet threatening. His hand brushed mine lightly, grounding me, reminding me that despite the admiration of others, I belonged to him.
"The… a lot of your men are… shirtless," I admitted with a blush, unable to completely hide my amusement.
Hades let out a low growl. "You expect them to wear clothes? Transformation tears through garments."
I tilted my head, giving him a small, teasing smile. "And what about the ones I saw before? Most were… extremely fit."
He scoffed, lips curling in disdain. "And you expect me to have a solution for their genetics? They are males, and your presence… excites them."
I felt a flicker of empathy for him, knowing that the bond he shared with me made him prone to jealousy even in mundane matters. I placed a hand lightly on his arm, attempting reassurance without disrupting his possessive hold.
Lycan's eyes softened whenever they reached mine. He stepped closer, voice dropping slightly. "I sense… the bond between us. I feel your warmth, Hazel. Know that it brings me clarity, and…" He trailed off, an unspoken sadness lingering in the words.
I remembered the tales Miriam had told me, the dangers of rejecting a mate. The heartbreak, the imbalance, the very real risk of a bond turning destructive if ignored. I forced a gentle smile. "I'm here, Lycan. And I am… happy to see you. Warmth and kindness, not rejection."
Hades stiffened beside me, and I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves. He didn't speak, but his grip on my hand tightened subtly, a silent declaration.
Even as I smiled at Lycan, offering reassurance, my gaze flickered to Hades. Jealousy etched across his features, yet tempered by the knowledge that I was aware, and that I belonged to him.
The villagers began to move about their routines once more, aware yet respectful of the guests. The morning light shimmered across the glowing plants, making the kingdom feel alive, vibrant, yet tinged with a dangerous magic that hinted at the raw power of its inhabitants.
I let my eyes wander, taking in the beauty and life around me, feeling the dual thrill of wonder and the awareness of the protective eyes around me — Hades' intense scrutiny, Ares' subtle vigilance, and Lycan's gentle, tempered focus.
"Hades," I whispered softly, leaning slightly into him. "This place… it's… incredible."
He didn't answer immediately, but his hand squeezed mine in silent agreement. His eyes never left me, dark, protective, and alive with a possessive fire.
Ares, standing just slightly behind, coughed lightly, reminding me of the subtle tension in the air. I shot him a playful glance, and he bowed his head slightly, lips pressing into a thin line, while Hades' jaw tightened further.
I could feel the simmering possessiveness, the jealousy, and yet the humor in the situation. Even with all the danger lurking, the balance of power, and the underlying tension, there was a strangely comforting rhythm — the knowledge that despite all, we were here, alive, and together in some measure.
Lycan's elite guards shifted slightly, eyes flicking toward me, assessing yet respectful. I gave a soft nod, acknowledging their presence, and the faintest blush crept across my cheeks as I realized the playful attention from both the guards and the villagers alike.
Hades' hand tightened subtly on mine, his gaze unwavering. Ares' eyes glinted, barely contained, and Lycan's softened, understanding yet respectful of the bond between me and Hades.
In that moment, walking through Moon Vale, the first light of dawn spilling across the glowing kingdom, I felt a mixture of awe, warmth, and the delicate thrill of being seen — not just as a queen or a bride, but as Hazel, as Ariana, and as the link between these powerful beings.
The journey through Moon Vale had begun, and with it, the delicate dance of admiration, possessiveness, and playful humanity that would define the coming days.
Even as I chuckled softly at a passing boy's mischievous grin, I felt the undercurrent of power and jealousy around me. And in that perfect, fleeting moment, I understood just how fiercely Hades would protect me — and how aware I was of every glance, every subtle act of desire, and every flicker of rivalry in this magical kingdom.