Hazel's POV
"Ugh!" I groaned as the pounding in my temples worsened. My vision blurred, my chest ached, and the sharp sting of saltwater mixed with a cramp deep in my stomach. Everything felt distant, as though I were trapped inside a nightmare I couldn't wake from. My limbs were heavy, my body drained.
I was still trying to make sense of the chaos swirling around me when hurried footsteps approached.
"Doctor!" a feminine voice shouted. "We need the doctor here, now!"
I turned my head toward the sound, catching sight of a nurse running out. Moments later, the door swung open and a man in a white coat stepped in. The first thing I noticed was the Pack emblem embroidered on his chest.
"Luna," he said softly, beginning to check my vital signs. "How are you feeling?" His voice was full of concern.
I tried to speak, but my throat was raw and scratchy. All I could manage was a weak nod before a violent wave of retching hit me. When it passed, his furrowed brows told me just how worried he was.
"Can you tell me what happened?" he asked, undeterred.
I shut my eyes, trying to block the memories. But then they came crashing back—
Skyler.
The panic and fear I'd felt as she tried to drown me slammed into me all over again.
"I… I remember," I whispered hoarsely, tears already streaming. The doctor's expression softened, but it didn't ease the bitter truth—Skyler had to be one of Liam's many mistresses. Guilt must have driven her to silence me permanently.
I was shattered.
"I'm so sorry about what happened," the doctor said. "You were rescued by some guards—thankfully, they arrived just in time. But…" He paused, jaw tight, eyes shifting away.
"I'm afraid… you lost the baby in the process."
It took several seconds for the words to settle.
"No," I breathed, my gaze drifting to the nurses behind him. They quickly looked away, but not before I caught their pitiful expressions.
"No… it can't be true." But the deep cramps in my abdomen told me otherwise. Hot tears streaked down my face as the truth rooted itself inside me.
"Why?!" I screamed, grabbing the doctor in desperation. "Why did this happen? Why did you take my baby from me?"
He gently but firmly removed my hands, his face full of trouble.
"I'm so sorry," he said again, trying to console me, but I shoved him away.
My heart felt torn to shreds. I had lost everything—every reason to live. I'd allowed myself to hope that maybe, with the baby, Liam would see me as more than just a vessel for heirs. But now, that fragile dream lay in pieces.
"The Alpha has been informed. He will be with you soon," the doctor said before leaving.
It only got worse.
When Liam returned from his journey, I was summoned to the Packhouse. Instead of concern, I was met with fury.
Before I knew it, I was on the cold floor, blood in my mouth, his fists still raining down. I'd foolishly thought he might hold me and tell me everything would be okay.
"You foolish girl," he spat. "Do you think I'd mourn the loss of something worthless like you? Is this your way of getting back at me? After I'm done with you, you'll think twice before crossing me again!"
Smack!
His blow landed on my ribs. I curled into myself, gasping.
"Please stop!" I cried, but he ignored me. I was dragged back to my room unconscious.
That night, I knew—if I didn't leave, he would kill me.
I fled to my home Pack, clinging to the hope that my family would protect me as they always had. I imagined them holding me, telling me everything would be okay.
But I was wrong.
After I told them everything—the miscarriage, the beating—silence filled the room until my father spoke.
"Hazel, I know it's hard, but you must endure," he said.
The last sliver of hope I had shattered.
"Think of your brother's future. Think about the honor of our family."
"You're… joking, right?" I stammered, trying to process his words.
"This is not a joke," he said sternly. "You must make strong choices."
"You'd choose his future and family honor over my life?!"
"No, of course not," he said. "But there's always a way through hardship. Keep trying. I'm sure Alpha Liam will get over it and stop treating you this way."
"So you're sending me back to die? Is that what you've always wanted?"
"Nobody's going to die. Don't talk like that," my mother retorted.
I begged them to help me, but they only shook their heads in quiet disapproval.
That was it. If my parents wouldn't take me in, no one would. I was alone.
I returned to the Pack, knowing exactly what I would do.
I couldn't keep living like this—misery, rejection, pain. My child was gone, my mate despised me, and my parents had chosen their reputation over my life. There was nothing left to live for.
I decided to end it.
That night, I went to a cliff on the outskirts of the Pack. The fig tree nearby cast shadows over the moonlight, hiding me from view. I said my final prayer to the goddess, asking her to punish Liam and Skyler for their evil.
Then… I felt it. A presence.
Turning, I saw a massive wolf approaching slowly.
A scream tore from my throat—and I slipped.
As I fell into the darkness, I knew that whatever awaited me couldn't be worse than the hell I'd endured.
"She'll be fine, but it might take a while. The gashes are deep, but—" The rest of the words blurred as a jolt of pain ran through my head.
Was I dead? Was this the afterlife? It was supposed to be peaceful, but all I felt was pain.
I forced my eyes open, staring at the ceiling… and then at the figure beside me.
The blood rushed in my ears.
"No way."