Marry to Alpha or Vampire?

Hazel was awakened by the noise downstairs. She rubbed her still-sleepy eyes and got out of bed. The alarm clock read 6:00 PM. It was dinner time, and Hazel hadn’t realized she had slept for so long.

She made her way downstairs, feeling a sense of unease lingering after the encounter with Putnam. She didn’t know where this unease came from.

When Hazel saw Gerard sitting at the dining table, she nearly jumped with surprise.

“Am I dreaming?” Hazel said, rubbing her eyes again.

“Why don’t you try and find out?” Gerard got up from his chair and rushed toward Hazel, launching a series of attacks. The house was not very spacious, and they couldn’t destroy the furniture, making the confrontation more challenging than an open outdoor setting.

Hazel dodged Gerard’s moves, realizing she needed to improve her attacking skills. Pure defense wouldn’t do, as it left her in a passive state.

Gerard’s attacks became faster, and Hazel struggled to keep up. Eventually, Gerard pinned her arms.

“You’ve regressed, little one,” Gerard said, releasing Hazel’s hands and giving her a quizzical look.

“It’s because you’re too strong, Gerard. It’s great to see you again,” Hazel replied and gave Gerard a hug.

Gerard’s presence made Hazel feel like she was back in her grandmother’s cottage, a place she dearly missed with its cozy cottage and orchard. She felt true joy.

Since her father’s passing, Hazel had spent a long time lost in grief. Gerard’s arrival brought back the love and care she felt, something she couldn’t replace her father with, but it meant a lot to her. Gerard was an elder she greatly respected.

“Fresh spaghetti bolognese, your favorite,” her grandmother said as she placed dinner in front of Hazel.

“So, Grandma, did you go out with Gerard this morning?” Hazel asked, and she hadn’t even guessed!

“Gerard wanted to surprise you,” her grandmother said with a loving look.

“I felt it,” Hazel said, resting her chin on her hands, “Where’s Theo?”

“He should be back soon.” Her grandmother’s eyes looked outside, searching for Theo.

Hazel watched her grandmother go back to the kitchen and bring out an abundance of food. The dining table was filled with baked potatoes, dill pickle hamburgers, cheese fries, and roasted chicken. It looked incredibly sumptuous.

“Today was such a busy day,” Theo said as he walked in the door, looking slightly disheveled.

“Child, you’re back,” her grandmother said with a smile.

“Theo, is there a guest at home?” His eyes stopped on Gerard, and he could feel that Gerard was also a werewolf, holding no ill intentions toward his family.

“You must be Theo. I’m Gerard,” Gerard stood up and gave Theo a friendly smile.

Hazel had been holding back her laughter, and Gerard’s smile was indeed quite endearing.

“Hello, Gerard, so you’re Hazel’s teacher,” Theo laughed.

Gerard nodded and then resumed his previous expression, attempting to appear less serious.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s eat,” Grandma placed a blueberry juice on the table and took her seat.

“So, Gerard, did you teach Hazel her defensive skills?” Theo asked as he munched on some fries.

“Yes, Hazel is very bright, and she learns quickly,” Gerard admired Hazel as his protege.

Hazel raised her head proudly, “Gerard, when are you going back to the orchard? Take me with you for a few days.”

Hazel’s words left Grandma and Gerard momentarily stunned.

“Sweetie, Gerard won’t be going back. He’s going to live with us from now on to continue teaching you defense techniques,” Grandma sipped her blueberry juice, her favorite fruit.

Hazel and Theo were taken aback by Grandma’s words.

“Grandma, are you serious? What about your orchard?” Hazel’s eyes widened. Did this mean that everything on Grandma’s side was abandoned?

She had hoped to return to her old life there one day.

“Dear, we can create an orchard in our backyard. Nothing will change over there; we just need to stay here for now. Do you understand?” Grandma looked at Hazel, unsure if she could accept this.

Hazel pursed her lips. She should have expected this.

“Gerard, we can fight side by side again,” Hazel smiled. She certainly welcomed Gerard’s stay, even though she longed to return to her grandma’s cottage. But there was nothing more important than having them by her side.

“Of course, your attacking skills still need improvement,” Gerard chuckled, his beard shaking with his laughter.

“Gerard, welcome to the family,” Theo said, looking at Gerard. He didn’t know why Grandma would let a stranger stay, but Grandma was not a foolish person, and Hazel was discerning. Since they both agreed to have Gerard stay, he had no reason to object.

“Thank you, Theo,” Gerard nodded, and he exchanged a glance with Grandma Fran.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Fran hoped Gerard would join The Iron Star Pack to continue training Hazel, giving her more defensive abilities and improving her attacking skills. She wanted Hazel to be able to protect herself in dangerous situations.

“Let’s continue with dinner and celebrate our new member’s arrival,” Grandma raised her blueberry juice, joyfully taking a sip.

Laughter filled the dining table, and everyone’s faces were brimming with happiness. Hazel didn’t mention her encounter with Putnam earlier because she didn’t want to spoil the mood or make Theo worry further. As the Beta, he already concealed too many troubles.

Gerard and Theo seemed to get along well. Theo held him in high regard as an elder, and Gerard promised to teach Theo more attacking techniques, just like Hazel.

After dinner, Hazel returned to her room, feeling overwhelmed.

Gerard’s arrival left her feeling excited and exhilarated, but encountering Putnam made her feel restless and uneasy.

Hazel couldn’t be sure if Putnam’s appearance was accidental or intentional. How could she just coincidentally bump into him in the school’s back hills? Hazel never believed in coincidences; she knew that all coincidences were intentional.

“Do you think there’s something wrong with what he said?” Rita suddenly spoke, knowing Hazel was troubled.

“Rita, I’m so tired, and I really don’t know what’s going on with him,” Hazel replied, her eyes wide, gazing at the ceiling. Putnam had said he left because of his father’s sudden death, so why was he back now? Where was his mother?

Hazel felt that all of this seemed too unusual. She rubbed her forehead, unwilling to dwell on these matters any longer.

Hazel headed downstairs to grab some fruit or dessert. Her voice was soft, not wanting to disturb others. When Hazel was approaching the living room, she overheard Grandma and Gerard’s voices.

They were speaking in hushed tones, engaged in some conversation.

Grandma and Gerard appeared to be discussing something important.

Hazel halted her footsteps and leaned against the wall, holding her breath, hoping to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“Can’t tell… innoc… secret…” Gerard’s voice sounded somewhat tense, and this was the first time Hazel had ever heard nervousness in his voice. What could make the typically fearless Gerard so tense?

“… it’s fate… witch… vampire…” Grandma’s voice quivered a bit and was tinged with anger.

The words “witch” and “vampire” made Hazel freeze in place. She had no idea why Grandma and Gerard were discussing these terms or who they might be related to.

Hazel wanted to listen in further, but Grandma and Gerard had already stopped their discussion and walked over to where Hazel was standing.