Chapter 193: A female Alpha.
Hazel’s POV
The High House smelled of a mess. Blood spilled across the marble floor, silvering the three shrouded bodies lying in a perfect line. Caspian. Cyrius. Cayden. My mates. My heart drummed against my ribs as I kept pacing around the room nervously.
Lilith knelt beside them, lips moving soundlessly trying to figure out the perfect spell to bring them back.
Alice stood by the window, a dagger in one hand and a map of the territory in the other, her eyes darting as she tracked Dahlia and the controlled Crescents. My father in my own chamber, I had made sure a healer was right there with him.
The door swung open. Aurora burst in, her face pale, her breath ragged.
"What?" I asked sharply, still pacing.
I had made sure no one saw us when be bro u Caspian and Cyrius came in. Leon cleared the perimeter. Not a single wolf saw us..Thankfully Cayden’s body was in the room"
"No one is saying anything, or suspected a thing," she said.
I forced myself to nod, jaw tight. "Good. Keep it that way. We’re not ready for anyone else to know."
"But." she paused. "You’re in-laws. They’re here."
My stomach dropped. "Now?"
She didn’t answer—because Klaus and Anna burst into the chamber at that very moment. Their eyes went wide. Hannah gasped, a sound like glass breaking.
"Oh my God..." she whispered, stepping forward.
"They’re not dead," I said quickly, intercepting her before she reached the bodies. "Their souls are trapped somewhere. We’re going to bring them back."
Hannah’s hands trembled. She fell to her knees beside Cyrius. "When—how did this happen? Why are their bodies blue?"
"Calm down, Mother." My voice wavered but held. "Like I said—their souls are only trapped."
"Who did this?" Klaus thundered.
"Dahlia," Lilith answered without hesitation. "Dahlia did."
Anna’s eyes snapped to Lilith. "And we’re supposed to trust you? You’re no better than she is. You’ve worked with her—"
Lilith rose slowly, a dangerous calm in her face. "If you think I’m responsible, you’re wrong. I’ve never wanted Dahlia dead more than I do now. So either stop throwing accusations— and let me concentrate."
The room went still and Klaus reached for his wife’s shoulder. "Anna... calm down." His voice was softer now. Anna crumpled against his chest, sobbing quietly. "They’ll be set free," he murmured, more to himself than to her.
Lilith crossed the room to me, lowering her voice so only I could hear. Her breath was warm against my ear. "Your lie is true. They’re not dead...at least, not yet. Their souls are trapped in the afterlife. Only someone strong enough can go there."
I gave a small, sharp smirk. "Then I’ll go."
Her eyes widened. "No, you can’t"
"No, don’t stop me. I will do it." The words came out before I could swallow them. I had promised Aurora I’d bring them back. That promise was a chain I couldn’t break.
I turned to Klaus. "I need every wolf gathered in one place, soon. Alice will find Dahlia’s location; when she does, we strike. If the Crescents refuse my call, I’ll have a thousand wolves at my back. Enough fire to burn her down."
Klaus’s face tightened. "Are you waging a war?"
"Yes." My voice was calm,
"They will not listen to you. Only an Alpha can command."
"I know, I am the Alpha until Cayden wakes up."
"You are what?" he sounded confused refusing to take in what I had just said.
"I know you were alpha before. I know you are Cayden’s father. I respect that—but tonight, you will listen to me. I am the Alpha." I said sternly.
Hot tension hung heavy between us as he looked like he wanted to argue, then something in my tone... or the way Aurora was trembling at my side—made him bow his head. "Very well," he said finally. "Leon, gather the wolves."
Anna clutched my hand so hard my knuckles blanched. "You know what you’re doing?" she asked, as I had just commanded her husband.
"I know," I said. I squeezed her hand. "I’ll bring your children back and this time Cyrius will be here. Your family will be whole again."
She let out a shaky breath and nodded.
Lilith lifted a hand. "I’ll need help binding the ritual...someone to hold the book while I thread the spell to the afterlife."
"Can you help her out?" I turned to Anna and she squeezed her face hesitating. "I—" Her voice fractured. Then she shook her head and sank back. "No. I can never work with her." Her gaze slit toward Lilith like a blade.
"This isn’t about an old feud," I said, sharper than I intended. "This is about bringing them back. Please, lend us your hands."
She nodded and joined Lilith reluctantly. And I rushed outside to check if Klaus really met with Leon to gather the wolves then I bumped into Aurora, frantic and breathless.
"Hazel, your babies... they’re stressed from all that they have been through, they need food," she said and my stomach dropped.
Did I just almost forget about my babies?
"I can’t— I can’t look at them yet." I pressed my fingers on hers. "Make sure they’re okay. After addressing the wolves I’ll come for them." I said as tears dropped from the corner of my eyes.
"Hazel..." She was about to sympathize with me as I held her hands.
"It’s fine.. I’m just... overwhelmed."
"Really...?"
"It’s okay," I said quickly, smoothing her hair back. "I’m good, I am Hazel, the Alpha." After settling myself and my raging emotions I pushed past her
And moved toward the far side of the hall where Leon stood talking in low tones with Klaus. Leon looked up and his eyes widened as if the truth had just landed on him. I guessed Klaus had already told him: I would be leading.
"Alpha?" Leon’s voice shook. "You—this is impossible. You can’t be Alpha. You can’t lead us."
I let a small, crooked smile slide over my face. "I didn’t ask for your permission, Leon. Gather the wolves. Let me speak to them."
He blinked, then nodded stiffly. As I passed, I heard him mutter—not loud enough for everyone, but loud enough for me.
"How is this even possible?" he said. "How can a girl..."