Chapter 5: Partnering with Alpha
A gentle breeze brushed against Hazel’s skin, making her feel more awake. She hadn’t intended to conflict with Alpha, perhaps she should learn to obey, but her heart wouldn’t allow it.
“Hazel.” A familiar voice sounded from behind her.
Hazel turned around and saw Eloise, who offered a sweet smile. She looked like an elf – with her luscious blond hair, sharp eyes, a high nose, and tempting lips. Her smile was the same as Hazel remembered.
Eloise had been Hazel’s best friend once, and Hazel hoped that they could be friends again.
“Eloise, it’s been a while.” Hazel’s expression seemed somewhat awkward. She didn’t know how to face Eloise, even though Theo had said Eloise had inquired about her.
Eloise had every reason to be upset with Hazel after she had broken her heart by choosing Putnam over her in the past.
“Theo said you haven’t been looking for Putnam anymore,” Eloise said with a sincere expression.
Hazel nodded. She didn’t care about her past actions, but she cared about Eloise.
“Eloise, listen, about what happened in the past, I’m really sorry.” Hazel had wanted to apologize to Eloise for a long time, and now was the perfect opportunity.
Eloise waved her hand and offered a genuine smile. “It’s not your fault, and I forgave you a long time ago.”
Eloise embraced Hazel. “I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been through some terrible things.”
“Thank you, Eloise.” Hazel smiled, grateful for Eloise’s forgiveness.
Eloise looked at Hazel and said, “Tomorrow, Alpha will be your partner. You should be careful.”
Eloise knew Alpha Cyril’s strength. He had defeated Kane, won the battle, and taken control of Kane’s wolf pack.
“I will,” Hazel nodded. Even though she didn’t want to be partnered with Cyril, she knew she had no other choice.
Hazel chatted with Eloise about various things until it got late, and Eloise mentioned she needed to go home. Hazel bid her farewell.
When Hazel returned home, her grandmother was already asleep. She tiptoed to her room, took a quick shower, and then lay down in her bed.
Thinking about the training session tomorrow, Hazel found it hard to fall asleep. She wished for the day to never come, but sleepiness eventually overcame her.
“So, can you get up at 8 AM?” Rita asked, well aware of Hazel’s body clock.
“I hope so,” Hazel replied with a yawn.
“I think you’d better set an alarm,” Rita advised, not wanting to see Hazel reprimanded by Alpha again.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Hazel didn’t respond because she had already fallen asleep.
Rita rolled her eyes, hoping that Hazel would make it to the training ground on time the next day.
When the sunlight fell on Hazel’s face, she realized she had overslept again. She quickly got dressed and leisurely strolled down the street. Since she was already late, there was no need to hurry.
“Oh, damn it, Hazel, you’ve gotten yourself into trouble again,” Rita said, obeying Alpha Cyril’s command. But Hazel always seemed to skirt the line of his limits.
“What are you worried about?” Hazel rolled her eyes. She hoped that Cyril would be disappointed in her and send her away, so she could return to her cabin with her grandmother and Gerard. She wanted to eat some fresh apples.
“I’m worried about your life,” Rita shouted, struggling. She wanted to take control of Hazel’s body and run to the training ground.
“My dearest Rita, don’t be afraid,” Hazel burst into laughter. She couldn’t wait to see Cyril lose his temper.
Yesterday, she had somehow let Alpha Cyril rope her into training, and it was the worst decision she had made since coming back.
“Could you pick up the pace?” Rita yelled.
“Sure, sure,” Hazel hastened to the training ground, already an hour past the agreed-upon time.
As Hazel walked into the training ground, all eyes were on her as if she didn’t belong there. However, Hazel raised her head, met their gaze, and showed no fear. She knew Gerard’s combat skills were top-notch.
“Are you incapable of understanding ‘on time’?” Cyril walked up to Hazel, looking down at her with a dark expression.
Hazel could tell he was in a foul mood, but what did she care? She wasn’t here of her own accord.
“Are you wasting our time?” Hazel smiled at Cyril, as if her happiness increased with his annoyance.
Hazel noticed that everyone on the training ground was paired up for confrontations. She assumed she wouldn’t be an exception.
“I don’t think you’ve learned to be obedient yet,” Cyril said with an unfriendly expression. Hazel was openly challenging his authority.
“I didn’t mean to be late,” Hazel yelled back. She had set an alarm, after all!
“Alright then, are you ready for a challenge?” Cyril asked, not bringing up her tardiness again.
“Of course, are you ready?” Hazel replied and immediately lunged at Cyril. She didn’t want to give him any time to prepare. She wanted to see just how strong Cyril was, and whether he could earn her respect.
Cyril took a step back, but Hazel still managed to scratch his chest. It was clear Hazel was fast, but Cyril quickly engaged in the fight. Hazel maintained her focus, constantly watching Cyril’s attack angles, and managed to evade another punch.
Hazel recalled her practice sessions with Gerard, her punching speed increasing. She dodged Cyril’s limbs, maneuvered behind him, and her petite figure allowed her to be even more agile. Just when Cyril tried to grab Hazel, she grabbed his back and intended to use her favorite combat technique, choking him.
However, before Hazel’s hand reached Cyril’s neck, he threw her to the ground with his immense strength.
Hazel had never thought Cyril’s power would be this overwhelming. He hoisted her on his shoulder, preventing her escape. Hazel attempted to free herself from Cyril’s grasp but was held firmly.
Hazel repeatedly used her elbows to hit Cyril’s back, but it seemed like he had no pain receptors, as he didn’t release his grip.
When Hazel wanted to continue the fight, Cyril threw her to the ground once more. Hazel felt her muscles ache all over. Perhaps she wouldn’t be able to get out of bed the next day.
The fight ended with Hazel’s defeat.
Hazel lay on the ground, catching her breath. She was utterly exhausted.
“That was interesting,” Alpha Cyril’s expression changed for a brief moment, something Hazel quickly noticed. He hadn’t expected someone with Hazel’s petite stature to possess such incredible speed. She was an exception.
Hazel patted the dirt off her hands, feeling miserable as she rose from the ground. She had underestimated Alpha Cyril’s strength; he was powerful and robust, his strength was beyond imagination. Gerard probably wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
No wonder he had managed to scare Kane away. His strength was indeed not to be underestimated.
“Thanks for the compliment,” Hazel said, despite her body aching. She wasn’t ready to concede defeat.
She could feel Cyril’s formidable force in his attacks. He was holding back, although she had managed to evade many of his strikes. It left her feeling utterly drained. If they kept going, Hazel was convinced it wouldn’t end well for her.
“Remember to report on time tomorrow, or you won’t be as lucky as today, Hazel,” Cyril approached Hazel, a mocking tone in his voice. He poured a bottle of water over himself and wiped his body with a towel, making his wet body look even more enticing.
Hazel naturally understood his taunting. Maybe he thought that if she wasn’t on time tomorrow, he would show her just how much more powerful he was.
“You’ll find out tomorrow,” Hazel replied expressionlessly, then left with the other trainees.
Hazel returned home, exhausted, and flopped down on the couch. She muttered, “Damn Alpha Cyril.”
The aroma of dinner wafted into Hazel’s nose, reviving her. She went to the dining table and sat down, starting her meal only when her grandmother and Theo joined her.
“Little Hazel, was training tough?” Her grandmother looked at Hazel with affection.
“Grandma, I’m doing fine,” Hazel managed a forced smile, though she felt her muscles aching.
“So, have you successfully shifted yet?” Theo asked, swallowing a sandwich.
“Not yet. It might take some time,” Hazel chewed her food. She didn’t know when she would be able to shift.
“That means you’ll find your mate soon, right?” Theo chuckled. He couldn’t imagine who could put up with Hazel.
Hazel rolled her eyes. Werewolves could sense their mate within their sniffing range from the age of eighteen. But it was clear that Hazel hadn’t experienced it yet. She didn’t know when she would find her mate, and she wasn’t sure what kind of person they would be. If it wasn’t the one she wanted, she was determined to reject the bond.
Right now, though, she was more concerned about not having shifted yet.
“Hey, will you be late again tomorrow?” Theo patted Hazel’s shoulder with a smirk.
“Theo, shut up,” Hazel had finished eating and stood up, ready to go back to her room and rest.
As Hazel lay in bed, a familiar voice resounded in her mind. It was Alpha Cyril.
“Remember to set an alarm; I hope you’ll be on time for training,” Alpha Cyril’s voice lingered in Hazel’s mind. She felt it had been a terrible day.
Hazel hadn’t even had the chance to respond before Alpha Cyril ended the mindlink.
“Damn Alpha Cyril,” Hazel gritted her teeth. She reluctantly set an alarm, then lay down to sleep.
The next morning, the alarm blared, and Hazel groaned sleepily. She sat up in bed but kept her eyes shut.
“Thank the stars, you finally remembered to set the alarm,” Rita cheered in Hazel’s mind.
“I… don’t…” Hazel wanted to say something in response to Rita, but her eyes refused to open. Getting up early was indeed a miserable ordeal. After a long internal struggle, Hazel finally flopped back on her bed and went back to sleep.
“Hey, kid, what are you doing?” Rita kept talking, trying to wake Hazel up, but she ultimately failed.
Rita could already imagine Alpha getting furious. She didn’t know what he would do to Hazel this time.