Hazel stumbled through the dark forest, her cloak torn and blood dripping from her wounded arm. The energy of her magic still crackled faintly around her fingers, but it was weak now, drained from the battle she had barely escaped. Her pride stung worse than her injuries. She had underestimated Lucifer, and now she was paying for it.
The Shadow Fang Pack had been stronger than she expected—united, disciplined, and unrelenting. And Lucifer... he was unlike any Alpha she had ever encountered. His strength wasn't just physical; it was something deeper, something primal. He had fought her magic as though it were nothing more than a nuisance, slicing through her defenses and leaving her retreating like a coward.
Hazel clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She couldn't let this defeat define her. She had been bested, yes, but she wasn't finished. Lucifer may have won the battle, but the war was far from over.
She collapsed against the base of an ancient tree, its roots twisting like dark veins into the earth. The forest was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Hazel closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing and regain her strength.
Her mind raced with thoughts of revenge. Lucifer wasn't just an obstacle; he was a threat to everything she had worked for. His strength, his leadership, his defiance—they made him dangerous. But what truly unsettled her was the strange energy she had sensed when she fought him. There was something about him, something she couldn't quite place.
"You're the one," she had said to him during the battle. And she had meant it. He wasn't just her enemy; he was the key to her downfall.
But she wouldn't let him win. Not yet.
Hours passed before Hazel finally rose to her feet, her body aching but her resolve stronger than ever. She needed a new plan, a way to weaken Lucifer and his pack before she struck again. And as she thought about it, her mind drifted to Kael, the rogue Alpha.
Kael was ruthless, unpredictable, and violent. He ruled his rogues with an iron fist, caring little for loyalty or honor. But he was also ambitious, and that made him useful. Hazel had no doubt that Kael would be willing to ally with her if it served his interests.
And then there was Mia.
Hazel's lips curled into a cruel smile as she thought of the girl. Mia had been her pawn, her tool, her creation. She had spent years preparing Mia for the ritual that would amplify her power. But the girl had escaped, and now she was somewhere out there, a loose thread in Hazel's carefully woven plans.
She couldn't let that stand.
Mia had to remain under Kael's control, and Hazel needed to ensure that the rogue Alpha understood just how valuable the girl was. If Kael realized what Mia could be used for, he would never let her go.
And if he could be convinced to use Mia in the right way, Hazel could kill two birds with one stone. Mia would remain trapped, her potential wasted in servitude, and Lucifer would lose any chance of finding her.
Hazel arrived at Kael's camp under the cover of night. The rogue territory was a desolate wasteland, the trees sparse and the ground cracked and dry. The rogues were scattered, their campfires dotting the landscape like dying stars.
Kael sat on a crude wooden throne at the center of the camp, his scarred face illuminated by the flickering flames of a nearby fire. He looked up as Hazel approached, his expression wary but curious.
"Well, well," he said, his voice rough and mocking. "If it isn't the witch. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Hazel didn't bother with pleasantries. "I need to speak with you about the girl," she said, her tone sharp.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Mia? What about her? She's nothing but a slave. Why would you care about her?"
Hazel stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "She's more than you realize. That girl is dangerous, Kael. If she escapes, she'll bring ruin to everything you've built here. And if she falls into the wrong hands, she'll destroy us both."
Kael leaned back in his chair, his interest clearly piqued. "Go on."
Hazel's voice lowered, her tone conspiratorial. "Mia is cursed. She was born under the blood moon, marked with a power that even she doesn't fully understand. If someone like Lucifer gets his hands on her, it will tip the balance of power in his favor. You can't let that happen."
Kael's eyes darkened at the mention of Lucifer. The two Alphas had clashed before, and Kael's hatred for the Shadow Fang leader was well-known.
"So what are you suggesting?" Kael asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
Hazel's smile was cold and calculated. "Keep her close. Make her yours. If she's tied to you, she can't be used against us. Use her as a mistress if you must, but don't let her out of your sight. She's more valuable than you realize."
Kael chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "You want me to chain her to me, is that it? Make her my little pet?"
"Call it what you want," Hazel said, her tone dismissive. "Just make sure she stays under your control. If you lose her, you'll regret it."
Kael's smile widened, his teeth gleaming in the firelight. "I'll consider it."
Hazel nodded, satisfied for now. She had planted the seed, and she knew Kael's ego and ambition would do the rest.
As she turned to leave, her mind was already racing with plans for her next move. Lucifer had defeated her once, but she wouldn't make the same mistake twice. She would bide her time, gather her strength, and strike when he least expected it.
And when she did, she would make sure he suffered.