Marry to Alpha or Vampire?

Hazel returned home just in time for dinner. She hadn’t forgotten that she needed to go to the training ground tonight. Carlotta and Viola had also returned home and would pick her up later in the evening.

Hazel felt like she had become a closely watched target. Maybe she was dangerous right now, but the constant surveillance was making her uncomfortable.

Alpha Cyril disliked disobedience, but Hazel loved to challenge him. In this matter, she believed she had a right to fight back. She didn’t want to appear like a prisoner; after all, she hadn’t committed any crimes.

The dining table was already set with various dishes, including honey-roasted chicken wings, vegetable salad, meat sauce pasta, and strawberry pudding. Hazel grabbed a chicken wing and took a bite. It was delicious, and she was ravenous.

“Hazel, take your time. No one’s competing with you,” her grandmother said, entering from the backyard, looking somewhat guilty.

Hazel knew her grandmother well. Whenever she felt guilty, she clutched her clothes tightly. She was doing that now, but why would her grandmother feel guilty?

“Grandma, what were you doing in the backyard?” Hazel asked.

“I planted a few fruit trees. You know it’s quite a hassle, but luckily, Gerard helped me,” her grandmother released her grip on her clothes and walked into the kitchen.

Hazel headed to the backyard, and Gerard was crouched, clearing the soil. It didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary had happened.

“Now I can enjoy fresh fruits again,” Hazel grinned, returning to the dining table.

Hazel felt that her grandmother and Gerard were hiding something. They always whispered when she appeared. It was strange, wasn’t it?

“Of course, we’ll have all kinds of fruit pies and fresh juices,” her grandmother said.

While savoring strawberry pudding, Theo walked in, his expression fatigued. He glanced at Hazel sitting at the dining table. “Maybe you should save some food for your dear brother.”

Hearing Theo’s words, Hazel burst into laughter. She was delighted to see Theo joking. Recent events had cast a heavy cloud over everyone’s mood, but her grandmother and Gerard were outsiders who knew nothing about what was happening. Hazel hoped they would always be happy.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Gerard joined from the backyard, his hands covered in soap, washing them thoroughly to ensure there was no residual dirt. He dried his hands with a cloth. “Perhaps you should save some for your teacher as well.”

“Hey, am I eating that much?” Hazel took a bite of the meat sauce pasta.

“Don’t you dare bully my little Hazel,” her grandmother sat next to Hazel, gazing at her with a loving smile. Her silver hair shone under the light.

“It’s always grandma who loves me the most,” Hazel snuggled against her. She wished every day could be as joyful as this one, with no dark events happening in their town.

Maybe staying in her grandmother’s orchard was her best choice, but now everything had changed, and she was caught up in an unknown conspiracy.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was warm and lively as everyone chatted and laughed.

After dinner, Hazel returned to her room. She retrieved the box from her drawer, which contained the latest set of notes she needed to deliver to Cyril.

Hazel changed into comfortable training attire and then left her room, heading downstairs. Laughter echoed from below as Hazel stood on the staircase, looking at her grandmother, Theo, and Gerard. They all had smiles on their faces, and Hazel wished they could remain this way forever.

Hazel adjusted her mood and slowly descended the stairs.

“Grandma, I’ll be going out for a while and will be back later,” Hazel said as she left the house. She was worried her grandmother might ask where she was going, but Hazel couldn’t reveal that she was off to training.

Theo watched Hazel’s departing figure with a worried expression. He knew where Hazel was headed.

As Hazel stepped out of the house, she saw Carlotta and Viola waiting not far away. It seemed they had been waiting for a while.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go,” Hazel said with a smile. She and her friends then headed toward the training ground.

The training ground at night looked quiet and eerie. It was devoid of people, with only dim lights around. Cyril sat on a bench, observing Hazel.

Approaching Cyril, Hazel handed him the box and said, “These are the notes I received last night.”

Upon hearing Hazel’s words, Cyril’s expression subtly changed. He opened the box to find a note inside. As he read the note’s contents, his expression grew even more inscrutable.

A game? Killing a few people in his Pack was considered a game to them, and it was a challenge! Cyril’s eyes grew darker as he swore to find and uproot the hidden forces responsible for this.

“Hazel, you did well,” Cyril commended her for not hiding the note.

“I just don’t want anything else to happen,” Hazel sat beside Cyril. He emitted a comforting scent that made her feel at ease.

Cyril, as the Alpha of The Iron Star Pack, undoubtedly had more concerns than herself. While Hazel still harbored some resentment for him rejecting her proposal, she didn’t want to confront him now. It wouldn’t benefit her in any way.

But Hazel believed Cyril was right about one thing. She needed to enhance her self-defense skills and be able to protect herself when danger arose. She would not allow herself to become a burden.

“Cyril, I’d like to talk to you later,” Hazel finally said.

“We’ll talk after your training,” Cyril replied, his gaze intense. He might know what Hazel wanted to discuss, but now wasn’t the right time.

Carlotta and Viola were ready, and they awaited Hazel to join the training. If Cyril decided to keep Hazel here, Carlotta and Viola wouldn’t dare disobey his orders. But Cyril wanted Hazel to participate in training on time because it was beneficial for her.

Hazel didn’t press further. The reason she and Cyril could coexist peacefully was that she hadn’t yet defied his orders. However, if she voiced her thoughts, Cyril might not be as gentle with her.

Hazel stood up and walked over to Carlotta and Viola.

“So, what do we do now?” Hazel asked. She knew that Carlotta taught her attack techniques, while Viola focused on defense techniques. Carlotta and Viola were known to be strong female wolves in The Iron Star Pack who had fought alongside Cyril in various battles.

“I know your defense skills are quite good,” Viola began, “so what you should focus on improving now is your attack skills.”

Carlotta nodded and took some time to explain relevant attack techniques to Hazel, who listened intently.

“Hazel, shall we give it a try now?” Carlotta got into a combat-ready position.

Hazel focused her attention on Carlotta, wanting to see how she would strike. Carlotta’s punches were swift, and she didn’t aim for Hazel’s front. She faked a move and then circled around Hazel, using her elbow to strike Hazel’s back. It wasn’t very forceful, but Hazel nearly couldn’t react in time.

Carlotta had a variety of techniques, and her speed was impressive, making it hard to predict her next move.

Hazel watched in awe as she defended against Carlotta’s limbs. She crossed her arms over her chest, occasionally ducking to evade Carlotta’s legs. Her defense skills were stronger.

“Hazel, don’t avoid it. Face the attack,” Viola spoke from the side, her eyebrows furrowed. If Hazel kept choosing defense, her attack skills wouldn’t improve.

Hazel’s lips tightened when she heard Viola’s words. She changed her hand movements from defense to facing the attack and recalled the attack techniques Carlotta had just explained, trying to execute the first move.