CHAPTER 7
1432 Words
HAZEL BLACKVALE
His touch makes my whole body shiver.
For a moment, I almost give in, almost forget everything.
But then I remember: he always made it clear that he hated me. Always. I can’t feel what I’m feeling right now.
“No,” I murmur, stepping back.
“Are you afraid of me?” he teases, his gaze intense.
“I’m afraid of myself,” I reply before turning and running out of the bathroom.
In the hallway, I try to catch my breath, but then I hear knocks on the mansion door.
When I open it, I’m confused. A red-haired girl, fair skin, and golden eyes is standing there, holding a large suitcase.
She’s beautiful. Very beautiful.
“Hi,” she says with a warm smile. “You must be Hazel. I’m Sam.”
“Sam…?” I frown. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, sorry. I guess Luke didn’t tell you. I just got back to the country and… he let me stay here with him in the mansion.”
“I didn’t know that…”
I try to ignore the strange feeling inside me, but I can’t.
She takes a step forward, tilting her head with curiosity.
“You must be his cursed girl.”
“I’m his mate.”
“Not by choice.”
Before I can reply, Luke appears, wearing only a towel around his waist, his body still damp.
And… he’s smiling. Not his usual mocking smile, but a genuine one.
“Sam! I’m glad you’re here. I see you’ve already met Hazel.”
They hug like old friends and, to my shock, she kisses his cheek with intimacy.
Why does he never smile at me like that?
“I missed you,” Sam says.
“I missed you too,” Luke replies.
I stand there, trying to understand who this woman is and why he never mentioned her.
During lunch, the tension only grows.
We sit at the table, and I silently watch as the two exchange knowing glances, laugh, and share stories from the past.
“How do you two know each other?” I finally ask.
Sam smiles.
“Luke was my best friend. We got closer after he… started hating you.”
I feel the pain in my chest.
So, they became friends exactly when my relationship with Luke began to fall apart.
“I hope we can share the bed like before,” she says, looking at Luke. “Since your mate doesn’t sleep in your room.”
I grip the glass too tightly until it shatters, cutting my hand.
The blood drips down my fingers before I even notice.
I stand up abruptly.
“Hazel!”
“I’m fine,” I say, avoiding looking at Luke.
But he stands as well, worry written all over his face.
“Hazel, let me see that.”
“I said I’m fine!” I say louder.
I walk into the kitchen, my hand still throbbing.
I turn on the faucet and wash my cut, then clean it.
The anger I feel right now is worse than the pain in my hand.
I sense his presence before I even hear his voice.
Luke leans against the door, watching me in silence for a few seconds before speaking.
“Why did you react like that, Hazel?”
“Like what?” I reply, not looking at him.
“That look… like you wanted to kill someone.”
I turn to face him, the cloth already stained with blood pressed to my palm.
“I don’t want her here, Luke.”
He raises an eyebrow, as if I’d just said something absurd.
“You don’t decide that.”
I take a step toward him.
“I’m your mate, you owe me respect. And not sleeping with other women!”
He smirks, that irritating smile that makes me want to punch him.
Instead of backing away, he comes closer, until he pushes me lightly against the sink, trapping me between his body and the counter.
“Are you jealous, Hazel?”
“Go to hell.”
He lets out a mocking laugh.
“Sam and I are old friends… and yes, we’ve been to bed together before.”
My stomach turns, but I don’t look away.
“If she stays in this house, I’m leaving, Luke. I’m your wife, but I won’t stand by and watch this.”
He crosses his arms, his gaze cold.
“You can’t leave.”
“I should’ve left a long time ago.”
I walk past him and head to my room. I clench my fists in anger when I hear them laughing downstairs. That sound makes me sick.
I grab my phone and type her name.
Within seconds, dozens of results appear: Samira Collins.
Daughter of an important Alpha, noble blood, prestige in every pack.
Photos of her at luxury parties, surrounded by influential people.
Me, in comparison, I have no one. No family. No protection. Just this forced bond with a man who seems to take pleasure in humiliating me.
I throw the phone onto the bed and try to sleep, but it doesn’t come. Every time I close my eyes, I picture her in his room.
Then I hear a door closing at the end of the hallway.
His room door. My whole body tenses. I take a deep breath, trying not to think the worst, but the doubt eats at me. Is she in there?
I toss in bed, unable to relax, until I decide to get up for some water.
As I walk down the hallway, I notice the guest room door is slightly open.
I step inside… and my heart stops.
Luke is on the bed, partially lying over Sam, kissing her with the same intensity he never had with me.
His hand firmly holds her chin.
She opens her eyes and… smiles at me. A victorious smile.
“Luke…”
He immediately pulls away from her, his eyes widening when he sees me.
“Go back to your room, Hazel.”
But I don’t move.
“I said go back to your room, Hazel.”
I look at him with rage.
“You don’t give me orders.”
“Hazel…”
“It’s over, Luke.”
He frowns.
“What?”
“I can’t be your mate. I can’t do this.”
He gets out of bed, still with that cold look that sends chills through me.
“I told you I would never give you love, Hazel!”
The anger takes over completely. I run to him and hit his chest hard.
“I’m leaving now. Away from this house and away from you.”
He grabs my arm before I can pass through the door.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“Let me go!” I shout, trying to pull my arm back, but he grips tighter.
Then the words come out before I can stop them.
“I saved you! I should’ve let you die, but I saved you. I gave years of my life to save you. I’m infertile now because I chose to save you, Luke!”
Luke’s eyes widen, staring at me in shock.
“What did you just say…?”
“That’s the truth. You don’t deserve what I did for you.”
“Hazel…”
“No! Don’t you dare look at me like that! You’re an i***t who doesn’t deserve love or anything! You’re going to die alone because that’s what you deserve, Luke.”
I leave the room and he follows me.
“I didn’t know you did that. I never asked you to do it!”
I stop walking, close my eyes, and turn to see him looking at me.
“No, you didn’t ask, but I did it because I believed my Luke was still in there, but I was wrong.”
“You did it, Luke! You got your revenge! You destroyed me! I never did anything against you, but you destroyed me…” I sob uncontrollably.
He looks at me, and I see his expression soften.
“I don’t understand…”
I laugh without humor.
“How can you be so stupid? Don’t you see? Even with you breaking me, hating me, and humiliating me, I love you, Luke.”
His eyes widen.
I hope he says something similar and that he loves me too, but he lowers his head, sighing.
“Please, Hazel. Don’t go…”
“Why?”
“Because if you go, I die. You die, and I couldn’t bear that…”
- Writer
