HAZEL
The car rolled through SilverCreek's gates and I watched the familiar landscape blur past my window. Pack members lined the streets. More than usual for this hour. Word had spread fast. Of course it had.
The sentinel killed the engine with more force than necessary. The silence that followed felt alive, breathing with all the things none of us wanted to say.
"Keep your fucking head down while I try to fix your fucking mess."
His words hit like stones. Each one sharp and deliberate. He didn't even look at me as he climbed out, slamming the door hard enough to make the whole car shake.
Mother turned in her seat. Her hand reached for me but I was already moving, pushing open my door before she could touch me again. The cool night air wrapped around my bare shoulders and I wanted to disappear into it.
My hand felt so much better now.
"Hazel, wait."
I didn't wait. My heels clicked against the pavement as I rounded the car.
