Chapter 31: Will You Like This Game?
Hazel’s hand trembled slightly as she held the hot tea. If the five deceased individuals were Kane’s bodyguards, then the previous incidents had nothing to do with them. So, who was orchestrating all of this from the shadows?
“Cyril, did you intentionally let Bessie go?” Hazel questioned. Bessie’s death was too suspicious. No one knew how she had escaped from the dungeon, but Hazel was well aware that, given Bessie’s abilities, it would have been impossible for her to escape without alerting Cyril.
“I deliberately allowed her to leave; she wouldn’t have survived,” Cyril replied without emotion.
“What do you mean? Did you already know she would die?” Hazel furrowed her brow.
“Bessie’s appearance was too suspicious. Her ability to escape from the dungeon was due to an inside accomplice. I’ve already taken care of that guard,” Cyril explained calmly, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
“Are you saying their influence has infiltrated Pack?” Hazel’s face contorted in disbelief. She had known from the beginning that things were not as simple as they seemed.
“At the moment, it certainly seems that way. I’ve been investigating this matter in secret,” Theo chimed in. This matter was related to his sister, and he couldn’t simply stand by.
“I want to draw out the person behind all of this,” Cyril stated firmly.
“But you didn’t anticipate that they would pin Bessie’s death on me, did you?” Hazel raised her head, now realizing that the crisis within Pack had reached a point where no one knew who was pulling the strings.
Cyril nodded. He had never known that Hazel would be targeted as a primary figure or what secrets she might hold. As the Alpha of the world’s largest Pack, he possessed tremendous power and set the rules. There was strict order within The Iron Star Pack, and everyone living there had to abide by the rules. Cyril had no need for those who defied orders but needed individuals who could adapt to his ways. Hazel was an exception.
Their first encounter had been in the forest when she was searching for Theo. The forest had been filled with the scent of blood, and Cyril’s heightened sense of smell as an Alpha had detected a sweet fragrance in the air. It was a scent that he couldn’t ignore, and it had stirred his primal instincts, making his blood boil.
And even now, it remained the same.
“Hazel, you’ve been marked,” Cyril said as he approached her. His eyes held a hint of darkness.
“I don’t know what’s so special about me,” Hazel’s expression was far from pleasant. She only wanted to understand why an unknown force had targeted her and what their intentions were.
“This is what we need to investigate,” Theo reassured her, patting Hazel’s shoulder. He swore to protect his sister and ensure she came to no harm.
“The hidden force in the shadows is after Hazel. She needs protection,” Cyril declared.
Hazel didn’t speak; she knew that this time, she didn’t have a choice. Or maybe she didn’t resist this arrangement.
Cyril’s duty was to protect his Pack and every member within it, as an Alpha should.
“Maybe we can come up with a plan,” Hazel’s eyes were fixed on Cyril.
She had a bold idea.
“I won’t allow it,” Cyril’s eyes grew darker. He could guess what Hazel was thinking.
Hazel wanted to act as bait to draw out the forces behind them, but it was too dangerous.
“Cyril, you know it’s the best way,” Hazel leaned closer to him. This time, she had to win, even if it angered Cyril.
“Hazel, listen to me; I don’t need this.” Cyril gripped Hazel’s chin. He wouldn’t let her endanger herself. He had a strong team of guards who could handle any situation, and he had many reliable Alpha associates.
Theo observed the conflict between Hazel and the Alpha but didn’t intervene. He couldn’t interfere with anything the Alpha did. As a Beta, he had to follow the Alpha’s orders and not question them.
Theo was now more certain of the unusual relationship between the Alpha and his sister, Hazel. Even if they hadn’t openly stated it, Theo believed that Hazel was the only one in the entire Pack who dared to defy the Alpha’s orders, as she was both proud and rebellious.
“You want to protect The Iron Star Pack, and I want that too, Cyril,” Hazel glared at Cyril. She wouldn’t back down, even if it meant facing enormous danger.
“Hazel, have you forgotten the three requirements for our cooperation?” Cyril released her, his eyes fixed on her face. These requirements were meant to protect her, but Hazel seemed oblivious to their importance. She was as stubborn as ever.
Hazel’s eyes burned with anger. She despised such absolute authority, but she had promised Cyril.
“Monitor all outsiders and carefully check everyone’s information,” Cyril told Theo. He was confident his Beta could handle this situation.
“Yes, Alpha,” Theo replied respectfully.
The term “outsiders” triggered some thoughts in Hazel’s mind, but they flitted by too quickly for her to capture any useful information. Maybe she should pay more attention to her surroundings because she felt like she was being watched, and it was making her uneasy.
The idea that her life was constantly under scrutiny by unseen eyes made Hazel feel uncomfortable. No one liked being monitored.
“Hazel, from today, you cannot go out alone,” Cyril directed his gaze at Hazel once more.
He could sense the anger emanating from Hazel, but he wouldn’t let her undertake any risky endeavors. With the sudden deaths of five individuals, he had to thoroughly investigate.
“As you wish,” Hazel didn’t want any further communication with Cyril. She could feel how displeased he was now, but she didn’t care.
Hazel’s proposal to act as bait had been rejected, and she was equally displeased.
Cyril’s lips formed a thin line, and his gaze darkened. He didn’t respond to Hazel.
Hazel watched as Cyril conveyed a message to Parrish and Rankin through the mind link. It was only when Carlotta and Viola entered the office that she truly understood the meaning of not being allowed to go out alone.
Cyril had assigned Carlotta and Viola to protect Hazel. They were strong she-wolves within The Iron Star Pack, capable of helping Hazel avoid danger when she ventured out.
“Hazel, we’ll escort you home,” Carlotta offered kindly.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
“Thank you,” Hazel smiled. She stood up and walked out with Carlotta and Viola. Parrish and Rankin brushed past them and entered Cyril’s office.
When Hazel returned home, her grandmother and Gerard were already asleep. She quietly went upstairs, and the moment she stepped into her room, she caught a strong scent. Her eyes lit up, recognizing the smell as that of a note.
Hazel quickly approached her bed, lifted the pillow, and found a note hidden beneath it. The aroma was familiar, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint its origin.
“Hazel, this is just the beginning. Will you enjoy this game?” The note contained these words. Hazel brought it closer to her nose, trying to identify more scents, such as the person who left the note, but there was nothing.
She clutched the note tightly in her hand. Was killing a few people just a game for them?