Page 49 of Stalked By the Alphas
She startles slightly, as if she’d forgotten I was there. “I never thought I’d be here, you know? Taking anxiety medication...”
I dry my hands and move closer, careful not to crowd her. “I know it’s a lot. But you’re not alone in this, Hazel. I’m here for you, whatever you need.”
Her green eyes meet mine, searching. For a moment, I think she might say something more, but then she just nods and swallows the pill with a gulp of water.
“I think I’ll head to bed,” she says wearily. “It’s been a long day.”
I nod, resisting the urge to pull her into my arms. “Of course. Sleep well. If you need anything, I’ll be right downstairs.”
She gives me a smile and heads upstairs. I listen to her footsteps, the soft click of the bedroom door closing.
Hazel is here with me. The reality of it hits me like a physical force. I sink onto the sofa and rub my face with my hands.
Everything is moving faster than I anticipated. When I saw Hazel today, looking so lost and vulnerable, all my carefully laid plans went out the window. The alpha in me couldn’t stand by and watch her suffer. I had to act.
But now what? Noah and Zach will be furious that I’ve gone off-script. They don’t understand that sometimes plans need to change. Hazel needs protection and stability now more than ever.
I pull out my phone, debating whether to call them. No, it’s better to wait until morning. Let Hazel settle in first. I’ll deal with the fallout from the others later.
For now, I need to focus on making Hazel feel safe and comfortable here. I want her to see this as her home, her sanctuary. But I need to be patient, to play the long game.
I stretch out on the sofa, flicking through my phone, listening intently for any sound from upstairs. The house is quiet. Is she sleeping peacefully? Or lying awake, wondering what she’s got herself into?
Part of me wants to go check on her, to reassure myself that she hasn’t escaped down the drainpipe. ButI resist the urge. She needs space right now. Time to acclimate to her new surroundings.
As I scroll mindlessly through my phone, my thoughts drift to the future. How long before Hazel feels truly comfortable here? How long before she sees this as her home, sees me, Zach and Noah as her alphas? The road ahead is uncertain, fraught with potential pitfalls. One wrong move could send her running.
But the alternative—letting her continue to spiral on her own—is unthinkable. She needs us, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and close.
I know Noah and Zach will want answers about what happened today, but that’s a problem for tomorrow. Tonight, I need to focus on Hazel.
Setting my phone aside, I stand and quietly make my way upstairs. I knock gently, but there is no answer. I debate for two seconds and then grasp the handle, pushing it down as I crack the door open. Hazel is fast asleep, the curtains wide open, still fully clothed on top of the covers. There is that weird-looking bear on the pillow next to her, and I wonder what she finds so comforting about it. Suddenly, the phone lets out a loud beep, and I glare accusingly at the bear.
Like that, is it?
Hazel sits up as if a gun went off in her ear, and she looks around, startled and hazy.
“It’s just me,” I murmur. “I came to check on you.”
“Oh,” she says, running a hand through her hair. “I must’ve dozed off.”
“I’m sorry I disturbed you. Go back to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She nods as I back out, but I can tell she won’t be going back to sleep for a while. She doesn’t trust me, or she wouldn’t have a camera pointing at the doorway. I’m not quite sure what to make of that, but we will have to work on it.
31
HAZEL
Groaningas I flop back to the bed, I feel like shit on a stick. My stomach is cramping and churning, and my head is banging. The room is stifling in the heat, and I’m all sticky and sweaty. I contemplate going for a cool shower, but the thought of being alone in this house with Carter and naked doesn’t sit right with me. Once upon a time, I wouldn’t have batted an eye, but now... now we are all grown up and things are complicated. I know he wants to probe why I left without saying a word to any of them. But how can I answer that? He doesn’t appear to have done what I expected of him and moved on with his life, mated, and had kids. Where is all of that? Even his fancy law career doesn’t seem to make him happy and fulfilled. It makes me wonder about Zach and Noah. I’ve been trying not to think about them, but how can I not now? Climbing off the bed, I go to the window and stare out. The park is busy now with the locals going for a nice summer walkor a sit-down in the sun while their kids are playing. I get a pang of loneliness and longing. I want that. Why can’t I find it? What is so wrong with me?
I choke back the overwhelming pain and sorrow that I appear to be so unlovable. Pushing open the window a fraction, the sounds of the park filter in and for one tiny second, I am happy for them. I try to cling to it, but I can’t, and the envy crashes over me in a sickening wave. I’m disgusted with myself that I can’t seem to dredge up the emotions to be happy for other people. Feeling even more lost, I turn my head, wanting to look away from them, and then my heart leaps into my throat.
I stumble back from the window with a mewl of panic.No. No. No!
The masked magician across the road, near the shop, just stands there, staring right at me.
I freeze, my heart pounding. He stands motionless, his grin seeming to widen as he stares directly at me.This can’t be happening. Not here. Not now.
