In the Dusk Pack...

Hazel stood with a frown, watching her mother, who hadn't stopped moving since morning. She was packing her bags for departure-three whole months of absence lay ahead.

"Do I really have to go?" Hazel asked, her tone heavy with sadness as she helped her mother carry the bags downstairs. There wasn't much time left before the carriages arrived to take them away, and there was no room for feigning illness or exhaustion-she knew she'd be caught immediately.

The only thing that made this bearable was knowing that the invitation had come from the Alpha of the Moon Pack-a pack rumored to possess strength beyond any other.

"Yes, you must go. This is the support we're receiving from the Moon Pack's Alpha-an Alpha unmatched in strength and intelligence-to ensure our bloodline's safety from potential attacks. Isn't that kind of him?" Her mother said with a dramatic smile, clasping her hands together as if overwhelmed by emotion.

Hazel rolled her eyes in exasperation, placing her hands on her hips. "But, Mother, I don't need this flimsy protection. I was trained by Father from a young age, and everyone acknowledges that his strength is so formidable they believe he was mistakenly born into our pack-or raised by one of them. So why should I go?"

Her mother paused for a moment, placing a firm hand on Hazel's shoulder and looking into her eyes with seriousness.

"Because this isn't just training, Hazel. It's an alliance. And as the Alpha's daughter, you must be there. You know the laws well."

Hazel shook her head but remained silent, continuing to gather her belongings. The logic was clear, yet her heart refused to accept it.

"We'll see you soon, dear. Three months will pass quickly," her mother said, attempting to plant some reassurance. But her words weren't enough.

"I'll miss you." Hazel's voice was barely above a whisper as she gripped the handle of her suitcase and walked toward the door.

She stood in the middle of the room, her eyes filled with frustration and reluctance, trying to steady her voice as she repeated, "Do I really have to go?"

Despite her words, there was no other choice. Everyone in the pack understood the importance of this alliance with the Moon Pack, and Hazel was no exception. With every passing minute, as her departure drew closer, the weight in her chest grew heavier.

Just then, her father, Albert, burst through the door, slightly out of breath as he carried her heavy bags, his effort evident. He set them down and spoke in a calm but strained voice, "It's time to go, Hazel."

She froze for a moment, studying his face, which barely concealed his sorrow. He didn't lift his gaze to meet hers, as if something unbearably heavy was pressing down on him. She had always been her father's little girl-the one who never left his side. And now, she was leaving him for three whole months.

Slowly, she stepped toward him and threw her arms around him tightly, seeking the security of his embrace. He held her just as firmly, as if they were trying to stretch this moment for as long as possible. But time wouldn't wait.

She pulled away reluctantly, stepping toward her mother for a final embrace, but the noise outside cut their farewell short. The pack members had begun to gather, preparing for departure.

"Come on, don't drag this out," Albert said in a firm voice, trying to sound strong, though the sadness in his tone was unmistakable.

He took one of her bags in one hand and clasped her hand in the other, leading her toward the exit. Hazel's eyes darted around, searching for her friend Olivia. When she finally spotted her, Olivia was struggling to drag her heavy suitcase behind her, her face radiating excitement rather than anxiety.

As soon as Olivia saw Hazel, she abandoned her suitcase and ran toward her, exclaiming excitedly, "Hazel! We're going to meet Alpha Ethan!"

But she abruptly stopped when she noticed Albert standing beside Hazel. Her face fell slightly, and her gaze darted nervously toward the man known for his stern demeanor and unwavering protectiveness over his daughter-so much so that the boys in their pack avoided speaking to her altogether.

Olivia fumbled to recover from her slip, quickly stammering, "I mean... How are you, Uncle Albert?"

Albert gave her a curt nod, then silently picked up both Hazel's and Olivia's bags, carrying them effortlessly toward the large vehicles that would take them to their destination. Hazel watched him quietly, noting how easily he lifted the heavy luggage.

"I still can't believe we're actually going to see him!" Olivia whispered with barely contained excitement, her eyes gleaming as she turned to Hazel. "They say he's breathtakingly handsome, and his physique is absolutely incredible!"

Hazel smirked faintly but didn't comment. Deep down, she shared Olivia's curiosity. She wondered if Alpha Ethan was truly as extraordinary as the rumors claimed-or if it was all just another exaggerated tale. Every Alpha had an aura that commanded fear and respect, but what was said about Ethan went beyond that. Some claimed he was perfection itself.

"You see me every day, so what exactly has you so starstruck?"

The voice came suddenly from behind them, making Hazel jump and spin around.

Dylan stood there, his ever-present smirk playing on his lips. He was the kind of person who could make anyone smile-his endless teasing was infectious, even in the tensest moments.

"Don't compare yourself to an Alpha with that scrawny body of yours," Olivia snapped, her gaze filled with disdain. But the flicker in her eyes betrayed her lie. Everyone knew that Dylan was anything but weak-his strength and agility were something to be envied. Still, Olivia knew exactly how to push his buttons.

Dylan gasped dramatically, clutching his chest as if he'd just been struck by a fatal blow.

"Ah! You'll regret this when your mate turns out to be someone who isn't an Alpha."

That was a low blow. Olivia had always dreamed of having an Alpha mate. Fury flared in her eyes as she took a step closer, grabbing Dylan's shirt with every intention of yanking him toward her.

"How dare you?!" she shouted.

Dylan, laughing, quickly ducked behind Hazel, using her as a shield, his victory evident in the mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Enough, both of you!" Hazel interjected sharply, gripping Olivia's arm to stop her from lunging at Dylan. Then, with a swift jab to Dylan's ribs, she wiped the smirk off his face. He winced, clutching his side in pain.

"You always take her side," he grumbled, his eyes full of playful accusation. Hazel didn't bother responding-she simply shot him a warning glare, one that made him raise his hands in surrender.

The moment of playful banter came to an abrupt halt as the pack's enforcers began rounding everyone up, signaling that it was time to leave. The goodbyes were over. Now, duty took precedence. There was no room for jokes anymore.

Moving in silence, Hazel and Olivia walked toward the waiting vehicles, an unspoken weight settling over them. A slow, creeping unease coiled in Hazel's chest. Leaving wasn't easy, and she wasn't sure she was ready for what lay ahead.

"The journey will take two hours. Try to get some rest," Albert murmured as he approached her, placing a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder.

Hazel nodded, though she knew sleep would be impossible. How could she rest when she was on her way to the Moon Pack-where Alpha Ethan awaited? So much had been said about him, too much to ignore. And for the next three months, she would be at the heart of his domain, facing whatever challenges came her way.

She climbed into the vehicle, settling beside Olivia while Dylan took the seat across from them. A brief exchange of glances passed between them before they each turned toward the windows, watching as the dense forest blurred past.

The road ahead was long, the morning air thick with the scent of damp earth and pine. Hazel's gaze remained fixed on the endless stretch of trees, as though searching for something hidden among them-something unknown.

"Do you think he'll be cruel?" Olivia's hesitant voice finally broke the silence.

"Alphas are always ruthless," Hazel murmured, resting her head against the cool glass, her eyes fluttering shut.

But deep down, she felt something else. A strange, unsettling mix of anticipation and fear-wrapped in an excitement she couldn't quite understand.

As the convoy moved forward, the pack set out on their journey toward the Moon Pack-where the rules were different and absolute power rested in the hands of the Alpha.