The pack mansion had a small private garden behind it.
Not large.
Not extravagant.
But quiet.
Safe.
Hazel found herself walking there without thinking.
Maybe she needed air.
Maybe she needed to escape the eyes watching her inside the house.
The garden had white flowers growing near a small fountain.
The sound of running water was calming.
Hazel sat slowly on the stone bench beside the flowers.
She did not notice the girl approaching from the other side of the garden at first.
"Funny."
A voice spoke softly.
Hazel turned.
A young woman stood a few steps away.
Short dark hair.
Warm eyes.
Relaxed posture.
Hazel blinked slowly.
Then frowned slightly.
"I know you," Hazel said.
The girl smiled.
"Yes, you do."
Hazel studied her face carefully.
Memory moved slowly.
They had met before.
But the context was unclear.
"Tourist center in the city," Hazel said slowly.
The girl nodded.
"You helped me carry my shopping bags."
Hazel remembered now.
She had been traveling.
The girl had been friendly.
Normal.
Human-like.
Not like someone from supernatural politics.
The girl walked closer and sat beside her on the bench.
"My name is Annabelle," she said.
Hazel nodded.
"I am Hazel."
Annabelle smiled faintly.
"I know."
Silence followed.
The fountain water kept flowing quietly.
Hazel felt something comfortable about this girl.
Not threatening.
Not judging.
Just observing.
After a moment Annabelle spoke.
"You are stronger than you look."
Hazel scoffed slightly.
"People keep saying that."
Annabelle laughed softly.
"Because it is true."
Hazel studied her.
"You live inside the pack territory?"
"Yes."
"Are you a warrior?"
Annabelle shook her head.
"No."
Hazel frowned slightly.
"But you are close to pack leadership."
Annabelle tilted her head.
"Why do you think that?"
Hazel answered simply.
"Your confidence."
Silence.
Then Annabelle asked gently:
"Do you trust Ryan?"
Hazel's jaw tightened.
"No."
Annabelle nodded slowly.
"Fair."
Hazel looked at her carefully.
"Do you?"
Annabelle did not answer immediately.
Then said quietly:
"He is my brother."
Hazel froze slightly.
"Brother?"
Annabelle nodded.
Hazel's mind processed slowly.
Annabelle Smith.
Ryan Smith.
The surname hit her.
But she didn't connect it yet.
Because she had met Annabelle before in a human environment.
And Ryan had never said anything.
Annabelle watched her expression carefully.
"You met me before," she said.
"Yes."
"But you didn't know who I was."
Hazel nodded.
"Should I have?"
Annabelle smiled faintly.
"Maybe."
Silence.
Hazel asked quietly:
"Are you protecting me too?"
Annabelle answered honestly.
"Yes."
Hazel's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why?"
Annabelle said softly:
"Because my brother cares about you more than he admits."
Hazel's heart tightened slightly.
She hated that sentence.
She stood up.
"I don't need protection."
Annabelle looked up at her calmly.
"Everyone says that before the war."
Hazel didn't respond.
Then Annabelle added quietly:
"I am Nick's mate."
Hazel turned slightly.
"Nick?"
"The Gamma."
Hazel nodded slowly.
Another pack hierarchy piece.
Good to know.
Annabelle stood up too.
"Liam's mate is Klara," she added casually.
Hazel blinked.
"Klara?"
"Yes."
Hazel's stomach tightened slightly.
Klara.
Her best friend.
The girl who never told her about the supernatural world.
Hazel said nothing.
Because betrayal had already taught her silence was sometimes safer.
Annabelle placed a hand gently on Hazel's shoulder.
"You are not alone here."
Hazel did not move away immediately.
But she said quietly:
"Don't expect me to stay forever."
Annabelle smiled sadly.
"I know."
The wind moved softly through the garden.
Far away, Ryan stood on the mansion balcony watching them.
Venom stirred faintly.
Blade watched silently.
Ralph remained alert.
Because something inside the pack was starting to shift.
And Hazel McCall…
Was slowly becoming the center