The Alpha’s Regret, The Lycan King’s Obsession

Chapter5

Hazel’s POV

I woke up before my alarm even had a chance to go off, my body ached as if I’d been thrown down a flight of stairs.

The thin, faded blanket was wrapped tightly around my shivering frame, my eyes swollen from crying. My chest throbbed with every single breath I drew in.

I lay there on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. I waited for Eva to nudge my mind, to send a burst of warm comfort through our shared link like she always did when I felt like giving up.

But all I received was silence. Absolute silence.

Slowly, I dragged myself out of bed. My legs felt like lead, shaking under my weight as I walked over to the small desk.

"One more day," I thought.

I didn't say it because I had hope. I didn't say it because I believed things were going to get better, or that the Moon Goddess would probably take pity on me. I said it simply because I had no choice. I was eighteen. I had a mother who barely remembered my name, an apartment with rent due, and a scholarship I couldn't afford to lose if I ever wanted to survive past graduation. I had to keep going, even if every step felt like walking on broken pieces.

I pulled on my faded grey sweater, scuffed sneakers, and wrapped my worn coat tightly around myself. I checked on my mother, who was still passed out on her bed, before grabbing my bag and stepping out into the biting morning air.

I walked for about half an hour before stepping into the courtyard of Lunas Crest Academy, I could feel the shift in the air.

The loudly chatter around slowed, seemed to carry a sudden wave of heavy, suffocating pressure.

Students were staring at me, cruel snickers, and hushed whispers that rippled through the crowd like wildfire.

My heart did a terrified flutter against my ribs.

Did they know? Did Silas told them?

No, I reasoned with myself, my knuckles turning white as I gripped the straps of my bag. He would never admit to the whole school that I was his mate.

As I neared the main entrance, I caught sight of them.

Standing by the stone pillars was Hailey, surrounded by her usual entourage. She was dressed impeccably, her blonde hair falling in perfect waves, holding her phone in one hand while her cold eyes locked. Beside her stood Ruby, smacking her gum loudly as she scrolled through her phone with a cruel smirk, and Natasha, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed over her broad chest.

She might not have known, right? I continued walking. By the time I reached my locker, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Once, twice, three times—a continuous buzz.

I pulled it out. My screen was flooded with notifications from the student forum.

My stomach dropped into a cold, bottomless pit.

"Eighteen years and still wolfless! The scholarship freak has no best!"

Underneath the post, hundreds of comments were rolling in by the second, filled with cruel insults.

"She really thought she was going to shift on her birthday!"

"Imagine being eighteen and completely human. What a waste of time."

"Keep her away, poverty is contagious."

A harsh, cruel laugh echoed down the hallway, pulling my eyes away from the screen.

Natasha stepped in front of me, blocking my path. Before I could back away, her hand slammed against the locker right beside my head, the metal echoing loudly down the corridor.

"Look at the birthday girl," Natasha sneered, stepping close enough that I could see the wrinkles on her face. "Or should I say, the birthday freak? "

A group of surrounding students burst into loud, mocking laughter, gathering around us to watch the show.

"I... I have to go to class," I stammered, keeping my head down, trying to push past her.

Natasha shoved me back hard, sending me stumbling into the cold lockers. "You don't go anywhere until we say so, bit*h," she barked.

Hailey strolled up slowly, her heels clicking against the mable floor, looking down at me with amusement. "Look at her. She looks like she’s about to cry again. Did you really think you were special, Hazel?"

I whimpered, pushing myself more on the locker, wishing it would just swallow me whole.

Just then, the crowd parted, and Silas River himself walked down the hallway, on either side of him were Dante and Dennis. I froze as his ocean-blue eyes briefly met mine.

I expected... something. A flicker of guilt? A hint of remorse for the agonizing pain he had inflicted on me yesterday?

Instead, his expression hardened into a cold, ruthless sneer. Then turned away without looking back.

The entire hallway erupted into roaring laughter.

Tears burned the backs of my eyes, hot. I buried my face in my hands, shrinking against the metal lockers.

"Hey! Get the hell away from her!"

A furious voice shattered the crowd's laughter.

Zoey came charging toward us like a whirlwind of pure rage, her bright red curls bouncing. Right behind her was Killian, his massive frame instantly casting a shadow over the corridor. His eyes were dark with anger.

Zoey didn't hesitate. She shoved Natasha out of the way with enough force to send the girl stumbling, stepping firmly between me and them.

"Back off, all of you!" Zoey screamed, her voice containing authority. She turned her gaze directly onto Hailey and Silas. "Touch her again, Hailey, and I swear to the Goddess I will tear your hair out scalp by scalp!"

Hailey rolled her eyes, scoffing, though she took a cautious step back. “Let’s go, girls. The trash is being collected anyway."

With a final, disgusted look, Hailey and their friends strutted down the hallway, taking the crowd of laughing onlookers with them.

The moment the hall cleared, the overwhelming tension snapped, leaving my knees weak. I slid down the front of my locker, collapsing onto the floor, pulling my knees up to my chest as quiet, uncontrollable sobs finally broke through my throat.

"Haze!" Zoey gasped, dropping to her knees beside me.

And Killian also knelt on my other side, hishand resting gently on my shaking shoulder.

"Hazel, look at me," Zoey pleaded softly, reaching out to gently pull my hands away from my face. Her eyes filled with concern. "What happened? You’re pale as a ghost, you’re trembling, and your chest... Haze, your aura is fractured."

Killian’s eyes widened slightly as he leaned closer, his wolf senses picking up on my scent. "Your mate bond..." he whispered, realization dawning on his handsome face. "Hazel... what happened?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, fresh tears spilling over my face. I forced a tiny, pathetic, trembling smile onto my lips, trying desperately to pull myself together.

"I'm... I'm okay," I choked out. "I'm fine, really. It's just... the post online..."

"Don't you dare lie to me, Hazel DeRose," Zoey cut in, her voice shaking with emotion as she gripped my wrists. "I've known you for years. You look like your heart was ripped straight out of your chest. Look at your eyes! You've been crying all night!"

"Hazel," Killian added softly, his deep voice laced with protective brotherhood. "You can tell us. Who hurt you? Was it Silas?"

My throat closed.

As the mention of his name, a loud sob escaped my lips. I couldn't keep it in anymore. The weight of loneliness was too much to carry.

"He... he rejected me," I sobbed into the quiet room, burying my face in Zoey's shoulder as her arms wrapped tightly around me. "Yesterday... Silas found out we were mates... and he dragged me into an empty room... a-and he told me I was trash... that I wasn’t fit to be his luna and... and he rejected me..."

Zoey froze in her place, a murderous growl erupting from her throat.

Killian froze, his hands clenching into tight fists, fury washed over his features.

"He did what?" Zoey breathed out, her voice trembling with rage.

I clutched at Zoey's blazer, weeping helplessly into her shoulder as Killian leaned over us both, his imposing frame shielding me from the world, swearing softly under his breath.

Zoey pulled me into another hug, then Killian stood up, his expression had turned cold.