Hazel did not know how she reached home.
The night hunt had ended in chaos when the hunters retreated suddenly.
Ryan had fought.
But she had left before the battle was truly over.
She needed air.
She needed silence.
And she needed answers she was not ready to hear from him.
The front door of the small house creaked softly when she pushed it open.
Warm light spilled from the living room.
The familiar smell of cooking filled the air.
Like nothing had changed.
Like she had just returned from a long walk.
Melissa was standing near the kitchen table.
Waiting.
As if she had always known Hazel would come back tonight.
Hazel closed the door slowly behind her.
Neither of them spoke immediately.
The silence was heavy.
Different.
Hazel's eyes moved slowly across her mother's face.
Melissa looked… tired.
Not physically.
Something deeper.
Like she had been carrying weight for years.
"Hazel," Melissa said quietly.
Hazel swallowed.
"Mom."
Another silence followed.
Then Melissa spoke again.
"You met him."
It was not a question.
Hazel didn't answer immediately.
"Yes."
Melissa nodded slowly.
"I expected that."
Hazel's fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
"You knew he would find me."
Melissa did not deny it.
Instead she asked softly:
"What did he tell you?"
Hazel laughed bitterly.
"Everything and nothing at the same time."
Melissa's eyes softened slightly.
"That sounds like Ryan."
Hazel's jaw tightened.
"He said you sealed my power."
"Yes."
"He said hunters are after me because of my bloodline."
Melissa closed her eyes briefly.
"That part is true."
Hazel's voice shook slightly.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Melissa walked slowly closer.
"Because you were safe as long as you did not awaken."
Hazel's chest tightened.
"I am not safe now."
"No," Melissa said quietly.
"You are not."
Hazel's voice lowered.
"You hid the truth from me."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Melissa hesitated.
Then said:
"Because I am your mother."
The words hung in the air.
Heavy.
Simple.
True.
Hazel blinked once.
Twice.
Then whispered:
"That is not enough."
Melissa nodded slowly.
"I know."
The silence stretched again.
Then Hazel noticed something.
The light from the kitchen window fell differently across her mother's shoulder.
There was a faint glow.
Hazel frowned.
"Mom…"
"Yes?"
"Turn around."
Melissa did not ask why.
She turned slowly.
Hazel's breath caught.
On Melissa's upper back — near the shoulder blade — a mark was glowing faintly beneath the fabric.
Not fully visible.
But unmistakable.
The Eclipse mark.
Hazel's heart slammed violently inside her chest.
"Mom…" she said again, voice barely above a whisper.
Melissa closed her eyes.
"It has started."
Hazel felt cold spread through her body.
"You have the mark too."
Melissa spoke quietly.
"Because I carried you."
Silence.
Hazel's hands trembled.
"Why now?"
Melissa answered.
"Because you are waking."
Hazel shook her head slowly.
"No…"
Melissa stepped closer.
"You are the heir they feared."
Hazel's voice cracked slightly.
"I didn't ask for this."
Melissa placed one hand gently on Hazel's cheek.
"I know."
Hazel's eyes filled slightly.
"Did you know Ryan would watch me?"
"Yes."
"Did you know he was there when I was born?"
"Yes."
Hazel swallowed.
"Do you trust him?"
Melissa was silent for a long moment.
Then said softly:
"He is dangerous."
Hazel waited.
"But?"
Melissa continued.
"He has not lied about one thing."
Hazel's voice was barely audible.
"What is that?"
Melissa looked into her eyes.
"That he is bound to you."
Outside, the wind moved softly through the trees.
Somewhere far away, a horn sounded again.
Hunters were still searching.
And deep inside Hazel's wrist —
The mark burned quietly.
As if waiting.
Watching.
Growing stronger.