Chapter 4: The New.

Hazel woke up tired. Not the bone-deep exhaustion of a slave who had worked past breaking, but the sluggish, heavy-limbed drowsiness of someone who had slept too long. The kind of sleep that left you more disoriented than rested.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept without someone pouring a bucket of cold water over her head to yank her back to duty. The absence of that shock was almost unsettling. She sat up slowly, blinking at the room. She still couldn't wrap her head around it.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, her bare feet sinking into a carpet so plush it felt like walking on clouds. The window caught her attention. She crossed the room, her heart beating a little faster with a feeling she barely recognized: anticipation.

She pulled the curtains open and....

Oh! It was night.

She pressed her palm against the cool glass, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. This feels like a dream.

But the longer she stood there, the more the silence of the room began to press in on her. She was a stranger here. She didn't know the layout of the castle, didn't know the faces of the people who served her now, didn't know the rules. She didn't even know what she was allowed to do.

What am I supposed to do with myself? she thought, hugging her arms.

A knock shattered the quiet.

She jumped, her heart slamming into her throat. Old instincts, she had to force herself to breathe.

"Who's there?" she called, hating how small her voice sounded.

"It's me Piper, Luna."

Oh! The maid from earlier.

She exhaled, some of the tension draining.

"Piper, come in."

The door opened, and the young maid stepped in carrying a tray so large it drew her attention wholely, she hadn't seen such delicacies before.

"I brought your food, Luna."

Hazel's eyes were already fixed on the tray. She watched Piper set it down on the low table near the window, revealing plates piled high with food more food than she'd ever seen served to one person. Roasted meat, fresh bread, vegetables glistening with butter, a bowl of steaming soup, and pastries dusted with sugar. Her mouth watered. Her hands trembled with the effort of not lunging at it.

"I thought you said you would pass my message to your Alpha," Hazel said, forcing her gaze away from the food. "I haven't seen him."

Piper straightened, giving her a small smile. "Oh, that! he came earlier, but you were sleeping. He didn't want to disturb you."

Hazel blinked.

"He came?"

She pressed her lips together, something unfamiliar and fragile blooming in her chest.

"You've been sleeping all day," Akira said dryly inside her head. Hazel could practically see her wolf rolling her eyes.

If I weren't your wolf, I would have thought you died. And you missed another chance to talk to our mate. Again. Hazel ignored her, though her cheeks warmed at the thought of it. The Alpha King. Her mate.

"I'm sure he'll be back," Piper said, already moving toward the door.

"Just eat and rest for now, Luna."

The door closed with a soft click, and Hazel was alone again. She stared at the food for a long moment, then gave in but one thought dominated her mind.

What the Alpha King, her mate, looks like.

***

Just across the other hallway, Arden had been in his study buried in work all day.

It was what he had always loved, the order of it, the control, the satisfaction of a kingdom running smoothly under his hand. But today, the reports blurred together. The voices of his advisors faded into background noise. His mind kept drifting to the door at the end of the east wing, to the woman sleeping behind it, to the scent of her that still clung to his memory like smoke.

He had waited so long for this. So many years of watching his brother and friends find their mates, of listening to the whispers that the Alpha King was cursed, that the Moon goddess had abandoned him. He had refused to settle. Had turned away every woman the elders had presented, every alliance offered, every convenient match.

He had wanted her. Whoever she was. Wherever she was.

And now she was here. In his castle. sleeping in a room that had been empty for centuries, waiting for him to find the time to return to her.

He had never resented his work before. He resented it now.

"Any more reports?" he asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Gaius, his gamma shuffled the papers on his desk, his expression carefully neutral.

"One more, Alpha. From the Winder Pack. Rogues attacked them a few days ago. Heavy casualties. The Luna was killed. Their Alpha is... delirious, from what we're told. They're requesting backup."

Arden's jaw tightened, rogues were becoming bolder, more organized. Another problem for another day.

"Send men to assist them. They should Stay until the pack is stable. Send arms too and provisions necessary."

Gaius nodded, making a note.

Arden stood, the chair scraping against the floor.

"That's all for today. Whatever's left can wait until tomorrow."

He was halfway to the door before Gaius could respond.

He didn't see the look on his gamma's face, the shock, the disbelief, the slow-spreading smile. Arden had never left work unfinished. Not once in all the years Gaius had served him. But here he was, striding out of the study like a man who had somewhere far more important to be.

And it got to be only one place, wherever his mate was.

Hazel was lost in thought- standing by the window, staring at the trees, wondering about the forest up ahead, wondering what her future holds, when the knock came.

She went still, her breath catching.

"It's him," Akira whispered. "I can smell him."

She crossed the room on unsteady legs. Her hand trembled as she reached for the door. She pulled it open.

And forgot how to breathe.

He stood in the doorway like he had been carved from moonlight and shadow. White hair and silver eyes . Broad shoulders and height that overshadowed her. A face that belonged on a painting in some ancient temple-strong jaw, sharp cheekbones, lips that were curved into the faintest hint of a smile.

And his scent-It hit her like a wave, pulled her under. Mint and hot chocolate. She was tempted to breathe him in until she drowned.

"Mate," Akira howled, pacing frantically inside her. "Mate!"

Hazel couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Couldn't do anything but stare up at this impossible, perfect creature and wonder how the moon goddess could have possibly chosen her for him. A slave. A nobody. A woman who had spent her entire life being told she was worthless.

His gaze traveled over her face, the wild tangle of her ginger hair. When his eyes met hers again, his smile deepened-just a fraction, just enough to make her knees weak.

"Hi, mate." He said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through her bones.

"Can I come in?"

Chapter 5: Who Is she?

"Can I come in?" he asked again.

Hazel regained her grip. She had initially lost herself in the wonderment of his face.

"Yes, you...can." she said, stammering.

She was feeling an intense heat from within. Arden stepped a few feet inside giving her space, his silver eyes swept over her face.

He is even more impressive up close Hazel.

Akira sighed, her voice dreamy and reverent,

Oh moon goddess we're the luckiest wolf in existence.

"Akira please, not now," Hazel said inwardly and managed to push Akira deeper down into her subconscious mind. She needed to relate with the wolf king with a clear head, not from a lover girl's perspective.

"You sleep well, you slept long." Arden said calmly. His voice was direct, not cold but no air of warmth in it.

His tone was quite confusing to Hazel,

Was that a compliment or disapproval?

Hazel's throat tightened,

"Yes...I...I was knocked out pretty badly by your men." She said slowly.

"Oh! Rougues had tried getting into our pack several times, that was given, I hope you aren't hurt anywhere?"

Hazel bit her lower lip to hold back her thought, even this man was no different from Alpha Ryder or Ethan. He didn't offer her any apology whatsoever before switching up the conversation on her.

"I am fine." she replied through gritted teeth.

"Okay." He said.

What followed was a few minutes of awkward silence, tension brewed in the air. Neither of them could start up a conversation. Hazel kept wondering if Akira perhaps was wrong and delusional. If this rigid man was truly her mate, wasn't there supposed to be some kind of firecracker affection between them? She knows her body craves him, her eyes kept roaming towards his perfectly sculpted body but she resisted the urge to look further, what about him, isn't he feeling anything for her? Or was he going to reject her too?

That sounds like the most logical conclusion, she thought miserably.

"I hope you don't mind telling me where you're from and how you came across my guards." Arden said suddenly jolting her out of her thoughts.

"I was chased by the guards of my former pack and that was how I came across your guards at ...your border."

Arden stared into her eyes, a soul piercing gaze. He could see the sincerity in it but her words sounded exactly like the first excuse most rogues he decapitated gave when first caught.

"And for what reason, he asked?" He questioned again staring at her intently to see if she was lying.

Hazel didn't know how to answer that, how was she going to tell him that she ran away after being rejected by her Alpha's son, the maltreatment and hate she got from her pack.

"It's a long story." she said, swallowing the lump in her throat as she squeezed her palms too tight she felt the pain from the impact of her nails, the pain of remembering what they did to her she couldn't bear it.

"Cut it short." He responded curtly.

Hazel was stunned.

This extremely gorgeous man has no softness in him at all, a strong enough red flag. She didn't want to be bonded to a brutal man like this. Now it was more obvious that the moon goddess specifically disliked her, if she didn't, why does she have to end up being tied to ill-mannered men.

"You know what, rest more for now, tell me your story when you feel ready." Arden said, turned around towards the exit door.

Hazel couldn't fathom the man at all, is it a form of consideration from him or another way to shame her for a sad story he didn't want to hear.

"Can I ask for something?" Hazel said.

He stopped in his track and turned around to face her.

"What?"

"My bag, did any of your guards that knocked me out by any chance see a jade green bag?"

This raised Arden's suspicion, what must be inside that bag that sounded so important to her, he's so curious himself to see this bag then.

"I will ask them to find it."

And search it first myself, he thought inwardly.

Why don't you just trust her, she's our mate afterall, Axel, his wolf cut into his head.

Arden's expressions didn't change. If anything his hands shook slightly, his eyes, those silver eyes sharpened almost imperceptibly like a blade being drawn.

"Is there anything of interest in the bag?" He questioned.

"Yes, my journal." She responded straightaway as if she had been waiting all her life for that question.

"A journal?" He questioned suspiciously.

"Yes, i write, I like writing, it reduces my stress, it is my way of expressing myself." She replied biting her lips.

You are blabbing girl! Akira screamed mockingly.

Bitch, Hazel thought.

"No problem, your bag will be found and returned to you." Without another word, he turned around and left.

As Hazel manned the door. Arden paused right outside it. He had to hold his chest to stop the fast beating of his heart. He had held it down long enough, breathing the same air with a woman he desired badly but still maintaining an air of indifference.

"Just like that?" His wolf screamed in his head, "I thought we were here to bond with our mate." He said pacing around.

He now know that the moon goddess wasn't joking with the mate bond thing, Hazel was the real deal, his ordained mate but something bothered him, in her eyes, he could read the lines of sincerity at the same time, he could tell she was holding back some informations.

That was the problem,

If it turns out she was actually a spy, he would be torn between the pack's strict rule of decapitating any spy or keeping his mate. If it turns out that way, will he be able to forgive himself?

That journal of hers must hold some clues, all he needs to do was find it.

****

Arden returned to his office, his wolf taunting him for treating her like that. Just then Gaius walked in.

He greeted bowing in respect.

Arden was not in any mood for long conversations, he nodded his head in acknowledgment and moved on with his words.

"Call Caden, I need to see him now."

While Gaius kept making the call, Arden was deep in his thoughts trying to argue with his wolf who believes Hazel is not guilty of anything but he can't just believe a stranger simply because she's his mate.

Soon afterwards, Caden walked in calling the Alpha out of his thoughts.

Arden turned, staring at him.

"That girl, replace her maid Caden,also I need you to find the guards who brought her in, and ask if they had seen her with a bag if not, find the bag and bring it to me."

That girl! You are talking about your mate, you egocentric idiot. Axel, his wolf, shot back at him from the corner of his mind but Arden ignored him.

"Yes Alpha." Caden said sarcastically, "Hope you didn't act cold towards her?" he asked staring at him with a scolding face.

"Mind your business and get to work, you know how I hate mixing business with pleasures."

This surprised Gaius who was arranging some books at the library in the room.

Wasn't this the same person running to meet his mate earlier?

Caden wasn't moved,

"With this face of yours, I don't think you spoke to her nicely?"

"I can't trust her just yet." He looked into his friend's eyes, "I can't allow history to repeat itself Caden."

This made Caden shake his head.

So he hasn't gotten over that.

"Concerning the rogue that was caught, has he said anything yet?" Arden asked changing the subject matter.

Caden smirked,

"He hasn't but don't worry he will talk when I'm done with him."

"I trust you to. Caden, make sure you get the girl's bag to me first thing tomorrow, send the guards to find it."

If she happens to be a spy, who would I protect,

Her or my pack? He thought miserably.

Chapter 6: THE JOURNAL.

The castle corridor stretched endlessly before Caden as he made his way towards the dungeon. Two guards flanked him, their boots echoing against the floor in rhythmic thumps.

"Check the eastern border first", Caden ordered " the guards who brought in the rogue are stationed there, ask them to bring me the keys to his cell."

One guard nodded and peeled away with a curt "yes,beta" as he vanished through a bend.

Caden continued towards the dungeons, but his mind wandered elsewhere, back to the girl with amber eyes and ginger hair. He had seen the way Arden's hands trembled slightly when he returned from her room.

His friend could pretend all he wanted, but he knew him too well.

That man is struggling . Caden thought with a smirk. She definitely has a strong effect on him, he just doesn't know it yet.

............

Hazel sat cross-legged on the massive bed, staring at the ornate ceiling above her, the room was easily thrice the size of her dingy cell she had slept in at shadow moon pack. Silk sheets, velvet curtains. A fireplace that crackled actual fire, not the dying embers she was used to.

"Pinch me" she muttered to herself

You are not dreaming, Akira replied, rolling her eyes.

" Then why does this feel like a trap?"

Because you have been used to bare minimum so this looks surreal to you I guess.

Hazel flinched at her wolf's bluntness.

Akira wasn't wrong, but the truth still stung.

A soft knock interrupted her spiralling thoughts.

"Come in", she said, bracing herself for another encounter with the intimidating wolf king.

Instead a young girl slipped in through the door, she couldn't have been older than nineteen, with curly brown hair and a face full of freckles with a happy smile on her face.

Her hand clutched a tray loaded with food : warm bread, honey butter, sliced meats, and a steaming bowl of stew.

"Hi." The girl chipped. "It's me piper, I have served you before" the beta has instructed to be your personal maid".

Hazel blinked. "My.... Personal maid?

"Yes!, I'm so excited, I have never been a personal maid before. I usually clean the west wing and serve food to visitors in the palace, but beta Caden said I had the friendliest face so I should take care of you, "I get to take care of our Luna." Piper said happily as she set the tray down on the bed side table

"You're really pretty, by the way. Like a fox. A ginger fox."

Hazel opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again.

A maid?, she asked herself sounding confused, she does not need a personal maid, she was once one herself.

Akira rolled her eyes, you need someone to keep you company and I think she's perfect for that.

After much deliberation Hazel accepted,

" Okay... thank you", Hazel managed.

Piper beamed "eat up you look like you haven't had a proper meal in years."

Then I get to take you round the castle, and show you every beautiful thing.

I promise you will enjoy it, she said, beaming with so much joy.

She's not wrong, Akira muttered amused.

Hazel has never seen anyone so happy to be a maid she thought, shaking her head.

Hazel picked the bread tentatively, she took a bite. Then another. Then she was devouring the entire tray like a starving animal.

Piper watched with joy and satisfaction "Good right?, chef Marco makes the best honey bread in all the territories."

"It's incredible", Hazel said between bites, not caring how undignified she looked.

Slow down,Akira scolded. You will choke and embarrass yourself.

I don't care, this bread is worth dying for. She said back savouring the taste.

............

Meanwhile, Arden stood in the eastern watchtower, staring out at the dense forest beyond his borders.

The wind carried the scent of pine and distant rain, but underneath it, he could still smell her.

Hazel.

The mate bond was already working its magic. Weaving invisible threads between them. Every breath he took felt incomplete without her scent. Every silence felt too loud.

"Found anything yet?" He asked without turning around.

A guard stepped forward nervously. " Not yet, your majesty. But we are still searching the perimeter where we found her".

"Search harder". He said, sounding frustrated.

The guard scurried away.

Axel growled in his mind. You're being an idiot.

I'm being cautious.

There's a difference between caution and cruelty. She's our mate. Our other half. And you're treating her like a criminal.

Arden's jaw tightened. "Because she might be one", he said aloud

She's not.

"You don't know that".

I feel her, Arden, through the bond. She's scared, not sneaky. She's hurt not hiding. When will you stop seeing ghosts in every shadow?.

Arden had no answer for that, only the hollow throb where his heart used to be rational.

.......

By evening, the guards finally found the jade green bag, they brought it straight to Caden who brought it to Arden, his expression carefully blank.

The Alpha king. Held the worn leather bag in his hands, turning it over. It was old. Patched in several places the strap frayed, it smelled faintly of her and that alone made his wolf snarl possessively.

"Did you open it?" Arden asked, throat tight.

"No, Alpha. You said to bring it to you untouched".

Arden nodded slowly, his fingers found the tarnished clasp. He hesitated.

Don't do this, Axel warned, respect her privacy.

If she's innocent, she has nothing to hide, Arden reasoned.

That's not how trust works and you know it.

Arden ignored his wolf and opened the bag. Inside, and wrapped in a fade cloth, was a necklace and a leather bound journal. The cover was scratched and stained, the pages yellowed with age, he pulled it out carefully, his heart pounding.

He ran a thumb through the worn cover

He opened the journal and had his heart clenched for what he saw.