Chapter 32: Someone else backing me

Hazel almost laughed. But she didn’t dare.

Caius she suggested?

Of all the people in the world? She couldn’t believe the Moon goddess was saying that Caius was the person meant for her.

The Moon goddess smiled at her. "I didn’t write Caius’s fate," she said softly. "But I wrote yours because it was your wish, and you worked hard for it."

Hazel blinked.

Her mouth slowly opened. How is that even possible? When did she ever wish to be with Caius?

The Moon goddess raised a brow. "Oh, you don’t know?"

Then she chuckled.

Hazel’s eyes widened. How did the moon goddess knew she wondered when she ever wish to be with Caius?

she was very sure she didn’t say it out loud....or could it be...the Moon Goddess could read her mind?

Of course she could.

She was the Moon goddess, and she was currently speaking through Hazel’s reflection. Hazel lowered her head. "He killed me the day I woke him up..."

Tears suddenly filled her eyes. "I didn’t even do anything. I didn’t offend anyone. I didn’t choose myself as his mate."

She wiped her cheek. "I don’t deserve all this."

Hazel had always felt innocent. Yet somehow, she had ended up with so many enemies.

The Moon goddess looked at her quietly."Things are like this because they think you are still weak." She paused. "You will only make things more difficult if you are afraid of your mate."

Hazel looked at the reflection in confusion. She wasn’t afraid of Caius because of all the scary stories she had heard about him. She was afraid because of what he had actually done to her.

She had seen what happened to people who stood against him.

The Moon goddess smiled. "Don’t worry."

Hazel slowly looked up.

"But I want to ask you a question." The Moon goddess’s expression became serious. "I want an honest answer. If you answer me honestly, I will grant your wish."

Hazel’s eyes immediately brightened. She had not expected that."Really?"

The Moon goddess nodded.

"What question?" Hazel asked immediately.

The Moon goddess stared at her for a few seconds. Then she asked, "Do you like Caius?"

Hazel stared at her in a daze. That was completely unexpected.

"If you don’t like him," the Goddess continued, "I will give you another mate right now."

Hazel’s hands suddenly felt cold. To be honest, she had always dreamed of having a powerful mate — someone like her father or one of the legendary wolves from the old stories. The image of Caius sleeping so peacefully in the glass coffin came back to her mind. She sighed.

The Moon Goddess chuckled. "You can take your time."

Hazel smiled a little and looked up.

"No... I will give you the answer now." She paused and took a deep breath. "I like him so much, Moon Goddess... but..." She swallowed. "He doesn’t seem to like anyone."

The Moon Goddess smiled and nodded.

"Good choice, Hazel. He is the perfect choice for you. From now on, you should start acting like his queen. Do not let anyone step on you. Focus on training yourself. Do not be afraid of him. He cannot kill you at this moment. I will handle him."

Hazel’s heart felt lighter. It was like having a powerful mother-in-law supporting her from behind. She nodded and bowed happily.

"I will start training."

The Moon goddess smiled and nodded. "Good. See you later, Hazel."

She waved. Hazel waved back. The white glow in the reflection’s eyes slowly faded, and the silver moon symbol on her forehead disappeared.

.....

Present

Hazel looked directly into Caius’s golden eyes. Her lips were pressed tightly together.

The High Priest raised a brow.

Hazel took a deep breath. "I won’t take the punishment."

There was silence for some moment. Everyone in the hall stared at her in amusement.

"Ohhhhhhh!" Alexander just entered the throne hall gasped dramatically. He immediately placed a hand on his chest and stared at Hazel in disbelief.

Caius slowly turned his head and glared at him. Alexander quickly closed his mouth. Caius looked back at Hazel and frowned. "You’ve got some guts now?"

She dusted her clothes. "What?" She pointed at him. "If I went with you and didn’t see anything, you would punish me." She crossed her arms. "Now that I didn’t bother going because I didn’t want to offend you, you still want to punish me?"

Rita’s mouth dropped open. "Hazel?" she whispered. She turned to Janet. "Has she been bewitched by Susan before we left?"

Janet gasped. "That must be it!" She immediately stood up and bowed toward the stunned Caius. "Your Majesty, Rita just confirmed that she has been bewitched by Susan, the Witch Queen. She must be planning something."

Hazel rolled her eyes. Seriously? They were trying to find an excuse for her.

I’m right here! "I am not bewitched!" Hazel shouted.

Caius raised a brow. His eyes moved toward Rita. "You better find a way to make her come back to her senses before I change my mind."

Hazel smirked. "Change your mind? Who cares? You can’t kill me. I have someone else backing me up."

Caius paused. He looked at her in mild surprise. "Someone is backing you up?"

The High Priest’s eyes narrowed.

"Of course," Hazel continued. "You all just said I’m bewitched and cursed by a witch, right?"

Caius’s eyes suddenly darkened. "Get out."

Hazel did not wait for him to say it twice. She turned and ran out of the hall before he could change his mind and remove her tongue.

As she passed by, Rita stared at her back with a strange expression.

"Black smoke... and I don’t feel any wolf presence at all," she murmured quietly. " What type of curse is that?"

What did that mean? She had never heard of black smoke before. Even a normal cursed witch should produce deep purple energy... unless...

Hazel had been cursed by something else or maybe she’s just overthinking