The Lycan’s King’s Heart

Hazel’s pov The air crackled with a sense of anticipation; there was excitement among the crowd that gathered around the ancient oak. I stood there looking at Jack, my heart racing with a mixture of affection and apprehension. His gaze was soft, filled with the warmth that had initially attracted me to him. His grip on my hand was steady, his thumb gently tracing calming circles on my skin. "I love you, Hazel," Jack whispered, his voice low and rumbling enough to send small chills over my skin. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me. I swear, once I take on this role, I'll make you my Luna. We'll rule together, just like we always dreamed." I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I believe you, Jack," I said, attempting to sound strong, but a slight tremble gave my voice away. "I know you will make a great leader." He leaned into me, his lips brushing my forehead in a soft kiss. "For us, Hazel. This is all for us." His words enveloped my heart and squeezed it tight. I believed every word he said, with the very fiber of my being. After all, he was my mate and if there was anybody on this earth whom I could trust; it was Jack. "I can do this," I whispered mostly to myself. Hand in hand, we emerged from behind the oak and into our pack's circle. For some time, no one said anything as they took us in and hundreds of eyes turned to me, expectant and confused. I could sense the confusion dancing in their eyes, the unspoken questions. Taking a deep breath, I let go of Jack's hand and stepped forward; my voice was strong, certain. "My fellow pack members, my family," I started, feeling the gravity in their attention settle on me. "Tonight is the night for changes, a night in which we enter a new era for our pack. You all know very well the special bond between an Alpha and her pack. Now, with that bond in mind I have come to a certain decision.” A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd. They weren't expecting this. Why would they? Throughout history, as far as most people here could remember, only a handful of Alphas had ever willingly stepped down, and never without good reason. I scanned the crowd, and my heart ached with recognition: those whose faces I knew, those whom I had kept safe, those who had counted on me to lead them wisely. I swallowed the doubt gnawing at my stomach and thought of the man I loved. "I have decided to transfer my Alpha title to Jack. He shall be your new leader, your new Alpha." The silence that came after that announcement was deafening. I swear, I could almost hear their collective gasp, the waves of shock rippling through the crowd. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched them try to process what I had just said. Jack stepped up beside me, his face a mask of calm confidence. He boomed in that strong, clear voice that commanded the attention of everyone fixed on him, "I am honored to take on this responsibility. I swear to all of you that I shall lead this pack with strength and integrity, in continuation of what Hazel has started." A surge of pride hit me at that moment. This was the right thing to do. We were going to make the Braize Hill Pack stronger again. I smiled and turned toward Jack, so I could stand back and let him take his place. And then he spoke again, and my world came crumbling down. "However," he said, and this time the tone was much cleaner, more detached, "I can't, in all good conscience, make Hazel my Luna." My breath was forced from my chest, my eyes clouded as I tried to understand what he was saying. What? My thoughts raced, trying to catch up with what was going on. This wasn't what we had planned. He hadn't promised me this. "What are you trying to say?" I managed to choke out. My voice was barely above a whisper. Jack didn't look at me. His eyes remained fixed on the crowd, his face expressionless. "Hazel, I'm sorry, but I will not take you as my mate. I want a Luna who can stand beside me, not somebody who's already given up their power. And so I reject you." I staggered backward as though he'd physically hit me, his rejection rolling at me like a tidal wave. My knees went out from under me and I fought for my balance. "Jack, no… you promised…" Finally, he glanced at me, but there was no warmth in his eyes, only cold, premeditated distance. "I'm sorry, Hazel," he said with cold finality. The pack erupted into chaos around us - murmurs, gasps, and furious shouting filled the air, but I hardly paid them any attention. My world crumbled down to the gaping chasm that was opening inside my chest—an excruciating agony from betrayal. I stumbled back, my strength draining from my body. Both the pain of heartbreak and the pain from the mating bond breaking all contributed to the blinding pain in my stomach that kept me bent double. How could he do that? How could he betray me like this? "Jack!" I cried, grasping out for him, desperate, but he pushed me back, avoiding my touch, recoiling away as if my touch would harm him. I fell on the floor, yet I still begged him, "Jack please, don't do this," Tears split down my cheeks. But his gaze had already shifted back to the crowd, speaking to them and ignoring me as if I was of no importance. "As your new Alpha, I promise to protect and lead you with the strength you deserve." It felt as if my heart was being torn apart, piece by agonizing piece. The man I loved, the man I trusted with what little I had to give, had taken his knife and cut me down to size in front of everyone. Then I felt a hand on my hand, gentle and yet firm, pulling me away from there as my world was coming apart. I looked up through the well of tears and saw her face. My friend, Willow kept urging me towards her, with her small brown eyes soft and warm. "Hazel," she whispered, her voice filled with sympathy. "Come with me. We need to talk." *****