Chapter 45: Those Who Have Changed Must Face Punishment
As night fell, Eloise and Elmer headed home, leaving the house feeling empty. Hazel retired to her room for some rest.
During dinner, Grandma and Gerard finally returned home, and Theo, looking exhausted, also stepped through the front door.
“Hazel, did you visit Fiona today?” Theo leaned in close to Hazel’s ear and softly spoke. He had to make sure Grandma and Gerard couldn’t overhear their conversation.
“Yes,” Hazel nodded, glancing over at Grandma in the kitchen.
Theo had been very busy lately, likely dealing with the recent events.
“Take good care of yourself,” Theo patted Hazel’s shoulder. He couldn’t protect his sister at all times and could only hope she had more self-defense skills.
“I will, don’t worry,” Hazel smiled, feeling Theo’s concern for her.
“What secret whispers are you sharing?” Grandma placed a roast chicken on the dining table, along with freshly squeezed orange juice and a steaming pie with a flowery crust, all set in front of Hazel.
“We’re just guessing where you went again,” Hazel’s eyes shifted between Grandma and Gerard.
She remembered overhearing Grandma and Gerard discussing witches and vampires, which had piqued her curiosity. However, now that she had encountered not only vampires but also witches, she wasn’t sure if there was any connection.
“We just went shopping for some things,” Grandma evaded the core of the question, and Gerard shrugged without saying anything.
“I can already smell the aroma,” Hazel took a deep breath, the scent filling her nostrils. She changed the subject since Grandma and Gerard didn’t seem willing to share more, and she didn’t press further.
“Dig in, specially made for you two,” Grandma giggled, looking lovingly at Hazel and Theo.
Hazel and Theo exchanged a glance and then started savoring the delicious dinner.
After dinner, Hazel returned to the training ground. Carlotta and Viola were already waiting for her.
When Hazel’s forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and her clothes were drenched with perspiration, the training session finally concluded.
Hazel could feel her strength gradually increasing.
“Hazel, you’re making great progress,” Carlotta praised her; her learning ability was impressive.
“Thank you, Carlotta. It’s because of your help,” Hazel replied with a smile.
“I believe that with more training, you’ll make even more significant progress,” Viola said, looking at Hazel. She couldn’t fathom the immense power hidden within Hazel’s petite frame. She was like a treasure, hard to fathom.
Viola could already picture the day Hazel would defeat her and Carlotta, and she knew that day wouldn’t be far off.
“Thank you, Viola,” Hazel replied, not expecting to receive such praise from both of them.
“We’ll escort you home,” Carlotta said.
Hazel nodded, choosing to remain silent this time. Given the recent events, Hazel understood that now was not the time to go against Cyril. They had more important matters to attend to. Cyril had his responsibilities and mission, while Hazel, as the primary target of the mysterious forces, couldn’t afford to let her guard down. She needed to intensify her training to avoid putting herself in danger.
After successfully bringing Hazel home, Carlotta and Viola departed.
Hazel was about to close the door when she noticed Putnam standing behind the window of the neighboring house’s second floor, gazing at her. His eyes were cold, as if he were looking at a stranger, not someone he had once loved.
“Hazel.” Putnam suddenly spoke, though he didn’t really want to. For some reason, he found himself uttering these words.
Hazel stopped in her tracks, not entering the house, as she wanted to hear what Putnam had to say.
Thoughts of Cyril’s words stirred unease in Hazel’s heart. Could it be that Putnam, the Alpha of The Dust and Frost Pack, had returned to town just to find her? Hazel had her doubts.
If Putnam’s return was not solely to seek her out, what could his true intentions be?
“Putnam, what do you want to say?” Hazel locked her gaze onto Putnam.
“Hazel, didn’t you used to enjoy being with me? Why the change now?” Putnam’s tone held a touch of bitterness as he voiced his discontent.
Although he had his mate, he had genuinely liked Hazel at some point. Could a werewolf not like two people at the same time? Putnam couldn’t abandon his mate, as Tania could bring him more advantages, and he needed her. But he couldn’t let go of his feelings for Hazel, either. She had been with him during the most challenging times.
Putnam’s heart was filled with questions, and he had a relentless desire to possess Hazel.
“Does it really matter?” Hazel’s gaze turned icy, and she was in no way inclined to make amends with Putnam.
“Is it because of Cyril?” At the mention of Cyril, Putnam’s tone became even more awkward. If not for Cyril, he couldn’t think of any reason that would prevent him from reconciling with Hazel.
“Putnam, it has nothing to do with him.” Hazel’s expression remained enigmatic.
Putnam couldn’t understand why Hazel, who had once liked him so much, was now so cold towards him!
“You’re protecting him.” Putnam leaped down from the window and dashed quickly toward Hazel.
His eyes were bloodshot, and his face showed an expression that seemed like it could rip someone apart at any moment.
The thought of Hazel defending Cyril made Putnam feel like his heart was being cut into pieces, unable to be put back together.
“Putnam, are you truly sincere with me?” Hazel asked.
Hazel’s question left Putnam momentarily stunned. How could he not be sincere? Hazel was his first love, the one he had loved during his time in the town. Even after returning to the North, he had never forgotten everything that happened in the small town.
“Hazel, I’ve always been sincere with you.” After saying this, he heard Hazel’s laughter.
Her laughter was enchanting in the quiet night.
“No, you haven’t been sincere with me.” Hazel’s expression became serious. “Putnam, you’ve been lying to yourself!”
Putnam grabbed Hazel’s arm. “What have I lied about? Hazel, please explain.”
He had no idea what he had done wrong. Was it because he had to leave abruptly? It was beyond his control; his father had passed away, and he couldn’t let himself be used, so he had no choice but to follow his mother back to the North to claim what was rightfully his.
Hazel had no idea what he had gone through upon returning to the North.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
If he hadn’t met Tania, he might never have been able to attain the position he held now. But Hazel had made a hasty judgment without knowing anything.
“Putnam, let me say this one last time: I will never be with you again.”
Hazel shrugged off Putnam’s hand and walked into her house after uttering those words. She closed her door, ignoring Putnam standing outside.
Up to this point, Putnam hadn’t revealed to her that he was the Alpha of The Dust and Frost Pack. He concealed his true identity and his past, returning to the small town this way.
Putnam even believed that he genuinely cared for her, though he had only liked her with a purpose in mind. His affection was barely worth mentioning.
Moreover, the Fiona lying in the hospital bed might be his accomplice. They entered The Iron Star Pack together. Was it really just a vacation?
Hazel clearly didn’t buy into this explanation. The real Fiona had vanished without a trace, no sign of the living, no bodies to be found, and in her place was a mysterious woman. Hazel couldn’t fathom how Putnam had uttered the words of sincerity, it all seemed ludicrous.
“Hazel, do you know? Those who change must face the consequences,” Putnam muttered as he stared at the door, his fists clenched tightly. “I hope you’ll enjoy this punishment.”
Through the long night, Hazel had already pushed Putnam’s situation out of her mind. She didn’t want any insignificant people disrupting her peaceful dreams. Hazel immersed herself in slumber, and that night, she slept soundly.