Marry to Alpha or Vampire?

Hazel retrieved a new box from the cupboard and placed the note inside it. She locked the box in the drawer, intending to deliver it to Cyril on the training ground tomorrow evening.

Her gaze lingered outside the window, and the scent of blood from the alley still seemed to hang in the air, seeping into her room. The gruesome sight of those five corpses continued to haunt Hazel’s mind.

She walked over to the window, peering outside into the pitch-black darkness. Only a few dim streetlights illuminated the roadside. She tried to avert her gaze but suddenly noticed Putnam standing beneath her window with an eerie smile.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Putnam’s lips moved as if he were saying something, but Hazel was certain he made no audible sound. She watched as Putnam walked towards the neighboring house where he now resided.

Hazel still didn’t understand why Putnam had returned to the town after so many years. Nobody knew why he had come back. She took a step back from the window, closed it, and clutched the curtains. Her mind was filled with clues and questions. Finally, Hazel forcefully pulled the curtains shut, determined not to see anything beyond the window.

Meanwhile, Putnam had returned to his own house, carrying two glasses of red wine. He walked slowly towards the couch.

On the couch, Tania lay on her side, dressed in a sexy red nightgown. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulder, making her look alluring and captivating.

“Visiting her again?” Tania sat up from the couch as she reached for the glass of red wine Putnam handed her.

“Tania, are you jealous?” Putnam put his arm around Tania’s shoulder and lightly nibbled on her neck. Tania was his mate.

Tania let out a soft laugh. Was she jealous? Maybe a little.

“It’s my turn to shine now, isn’t it?” Tania smiled.

“Darling, show your prowess,” Putnam said as he planted a kiss on Tania’s chest.

“I hope we complete our plan soon and can enjoy our spoils,” Tania downed the contents of her glass and then shifted her gaze to the ceiling, where a body hung.

If Hazel were in this room, she would undoubtedly recognize the suspended corpse as Fiona, found in the forest. Her eyes would widen, mouth agape, realizing that it bore an uncanny resemblance to the young woman.

Putnam and Tania exchanged a knowing smile. This was just the beginning; the game was far from over.

The alarm clock rang for what felt like an eternity before Hazel finally sat up in bed. She reached out to silence the alarm. Today, it wasn’t her group’s turn for patrol duty, so she could afford to sleep in a little. However, she had training with Carlotta and Viola later tonight, and she needed to prepare.

Hazel swiftly got dressed and headed downstairs, where her grandmother had already prepared breakfast. Gerard was outside exercising. Since he joined the town, he maintained his previous daily routine. The Iron Star Pack had a rule that allowed individuals aged 50 and older to forgo training. Gerard was exactly 50 years old, and he chose to maintain the garden alongside Hazel’s grandmother. The backyard was their designated area, and they were responsible for growing crops to supply the Pack with food. All they had to do was deliver the produce to the Pack House at the designated time each month to fulfill their task.

“Grandma, what’s for breakfast today?” Hazel walked into the kitchen and inquired, deliberately avoiding mentioning last night’s events. She didn’t want to worry her grandmother, though she intended to visit Eloise later. Eloise must have been terrified.

“Oatmeal with cornflakes, buttered toast, and sunny-side-up eggs,” her grandmother said, placing the food on the table with a warm smile.

“Delicious toast,” Hazel took a bite of buttered toast, savoring the aroma.

“Nobody’s competing with you,” Gerard, coming in from the backyard, joined them at the table, his eyes on Hazel.

“That’s not for certain. How come Theo isn’t down for breakfast yet?” Hazel questioned. Theo wasn’t known to sleep in.

“He left early,” Gerard said as he devoured the sunny-side-up egg, his hunger apparent.

“He left?” Hazel inquired.

“Yes, he mentioned that there was something important at the Pack House,” her grandmother said, her gaze fixed on Hazel.

Hazel served herself a bowl of cornflakes soaked in oat milk, swallowed a spoonful, and stirred it thoughtfully. She suspected it was due to last night’s events.

“Hazel, has anything else happened recently?” her grandmother asked suddenly, her eyes scrutinizing Hazel.

Hazel paused, looking a bit uneasy. She didn’t want to tell her grandmother about the deaths of the five people last night.

“Nothing else,” Hazel said with another bite of buttered toast.

“Have you received any new notes?” Gerard chimed in, showing concern. They both worried about Hazel’s safety.

“I’m sure I haven’t,” Hazel smiled.

She couldn’t reveal the contents of the notes; it would only anger her grandmother and Gerard. Hazel didn’t want them to be in danger.

“Hazel, take care of yourself,” her grandmother patted Hazel’s shoulder.

Hazel nodded; she was determined to protect herself and her family.

After finishing breakfast, Hazel mentioned her plan to visit Eloise, and her grandmother agreed. She had temporarily forgotten the agreement not to leave the house alone. But as she stepped out, she noticed Carlotta and Viola waiting by the flowerbed, as if they knew she would come out.

“Good morning, Hazel,” Carlotta greeted her with a beautiful smile as she approached.

Hazel was taken aback. “You knew I was going out?”

Carlotta and Viola exchanged smiles before looking at Hazel. “Alpha said you would be going out. He wants us to come every day to accompany you.”

Hazel didn’t realize Cyril knew her schedule so well, down to the minute. She made a mental note to discuss this with him later.

“I’m going to Eloise’s,” Hazel said and began walking in Eloise’s direction.

Carlotta and Viola flanked Hazel on both sides, offering silent companionship and ensuring her safety.

“Did you hear? Kane’s guards are dead.”

“They tried to assassinate Alpha.”

“They were all killed last night, serves them right, just like Kane.”

As several people walked past Hazel, she overheard their conversation.

“Has Cyril made this news public?” Hazel looked at Carlotta, who was Parrish’s mate and should be well-informed about this matter.

“Yes, Alpha posted the news on the announcement board this morning,” Carlotta replied.

“What does ‘assassinating Alpha’ mean?” Hazel questioned.

“Alpha’s concern is that if five people in the Pack suddenly die, it could cause panic,” Carlotta said, gazing into Hazel’s eyes with sincerity. “So he’s telling everyone that those five guards were killed because they were trying to assassinate him.”

“In that case, the people in the town won’t be scared,” Viola added, supporting Cyril’s decision.

Hazel nodded, understanding Cyril’s concerns. Concealing the true cause of the guards’ deaths was the best choice. The town couldn’t afford chaos, as it might offer an opportunity to external forces.

Ten minutes later, Hazel stood at Eloise’s front door and rang the doorbell.