iving beneath her, the flickering streetlights illuminating the dirt that coated her fur. The night was quiet, the only sound the distant murmur of revelry from the castle, the wind rustling
holding his arm "What are you still doing here you barren" Ethan spat Hazel felt her heart drop to her paws, her whole world collapsing around her. Layla's smirk, Ethan's disdain it was all too much. But she would not break. "Ethan, please," Hazel's voice trembled, her eyes searching his for any sign of the love they once shared. "I know you can't believe this. Not after everything we've been through." But Ethan only hardened his expression, turning away from her. "You're not my mate anymore, Hazel. "Honey I'm feeling uncomfortable seeing her again," Layla said to Ethan "Leave and don't come back again," Ethan said to Hazel And with those words, Ethan turned his back on Hazel for the final time. The hall seemed to spin around her, the faces of her former packmates turning away, silent and complicit in her downfall. Even her parents couldn't meet her gaze. "Please," Hazel whispered, her throat dry. "Please don't do this." But the Alpha's word was law, and Hazel knew she had to leave. With her head held high, she turned and began to walk away, her body numb. "My lady..do you need anything" Lia asked Layla and Hazel turned back watching them "I just want to rest for now..can I do that" Layla replied "Of course my lady," Lia said "Prepare a warm bath for her before resting," Nora said to Lia "Yes, Lady Nora," Lia bowed her head, already moving to prepare the bath. As Hazel watched, a burning anger replaced the numbness in her veins. How dare they treat her like this? How dare they let Layla take her place? And what of her unborn child, the one she'd shared with Ethan? She'd have to leave without even a word of explanation to her former Alpha. The injustice of it all spurred her forward, her steps becoming more determined, more resolute. She would not let them break her, she swore. She would rise from this. She walked out of the castle and headed to her parent's house, even though they were angry at her for what wasn't her fault, they were still her parent The night air was crisp, its chill a balm on Hazel's burning skin. She walked on silent paws, her steps sure, her eyes focused on the distant lights of her parents' house. The stars above twinkled, cold and unc