Chapter 48 - 28 days

That night, Hazel sat in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection with a confused frown. The palace was quiet, and after everything that had happened during the day, she had finally gotten a chance to be alone. She was about to stand up when the reflection in the mirror suddenly changed, and a familiar white light appeared around her.

Hazel’s eyes widened. The moon goddess appeared through the mirror again, looking at her with a calm smile that immediately made Hazel suspicious.

"You are slacking off."

Hazel blinked in conf "What?"

"You heard me," the moon goddess said. "You have been wasting time."

Hazel frowned. "I haven’t been wasting time! I have been trying to survive around Caius!"

The moon goddess only smiled. "You have twenty-eight days."

Hazel’s expression changed. "Twenty-eight days for what?"

"To make your mark on Caius and complete the mating bond."

Hazel’s entire face turned red in embarrassment. She immediately looked down at her hands, suddenly feeling embarrassed. "Wait... you mean I have to..." She could barely finish the sentence.

The moon goddess laughed softly.

Hazel’s cheeks became even hotter. "How can you just give me a task like that?" she complained. "It makes me feel cheap!"

The moon goddess shook her head. "That is not what I meant."

Hazel slowly looked up. "Then what do you mean?"

"You need to get closer to Caius. You need to touch him more often, because the bond between you allows you to see things that you cannot see on your own. There are visions you need to understand, and there are things about his curse that you still do not know."

Hazel listened carefully.

The moon goddess continued, "You also need him to understand that you are not as weak as he thinks. Making him want you is only one part of it. You must show him your own strength so he will stop worrying about protecting you every second."

Hazel nodded slowly.

"He can protect you," the moon goddess said, "but Caius has never liked weak wolves. If he believes you are too weak to stand beside him, he will always see you as someone he needs to protect instead of his equal."

Hazel looked thoughtful. "So I need to become stronger?"

"Yes."

Hazel suddenly remembered something. "But what if he gets angry and punishes me?"

The moon goddess smiled. "I have forbidden him from punishing you."

Hazel’s eyes immediately lit up. "You did?" A huge smile appeared on Hazel’s face. "So that means I can provoke him!"

The moon goddess stared at her for a moment before laughing. "Do not push your luck too far."

Hazel nodded quickly. "I promise! I’ll try my best."

The white light slowly disappeared from the mirror, leaving Hazel staring at her own reflection again.

She placed her hands on her cheeks. "Twenty-eight days..."

Then she smiled. "Caius is going to regret ever calling me weak."

The next morning, Caius stood in one of the palace halls, having a serious conversation with Alexander. Several guards stood nearby, keeping a respectful distance while the two powerful wolves discussed the situation involving the demons.

Alexander was explaining something when a familiar voice suddenly interrupted them.

"Excuse me."

Both men turned. Hazel walked straight between them as if they were not discussing anything important.

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

Hazel smiled at him. "Sorry, Alex." She turned toward Caius immediately. "Hi, Hun."

Caius stared at her in confusion.

Alexander stared at her with interest. Even the guards looked at each other.

Hazel smiled sweetly. Then she turned around once, showing off the short gown she was wearing. "How do I look?"

Alexander’s lips slowly curled into a smile. He was clearly enjoying the situation.

Caius, however, looked like he was about to lose his patience. "When did that start?" he asked coldly.

Hazel tilted her head. "When did what start?"

"Calling me that." his frown became deeper.

Hazel smiled. "I think it sounds nice."

Caius’s face became colder.

Hun?

How dare this little wolf call the mighty Werewolf King Hun as if they were some ordinary couple?

Did she have a death wish?

Hazel ignored his expression and looked down at her dress. "I wasn’t sure if you would mind me wearing a short gown."

Caius’s eyes narrowed.

For one second, he seriously considered throwing her out of the nearest window.

But then he remembered the moon goddess’s warning. He could not punish her.

Caius took a deep breath and turned around. He started walking away.

Hazel blinked. "Hey!" She quickly followed him. "Wait! You haven’t told me how I look!"

Caius continued walking. Hazel hurried after him until she finally moved in front of him, forcing him to stop.

She pouted. "You are so rude."

Caius gritted his teeth.

Hazel crossed her arms. "I already know the only feeling you understand is anger, so I want to help you get used to other feelings."

Alexander almost laughed.

Caius looked at her as if she had suddenly grown another head.

"I’m your helper anyway," Hazel added proudly.

"My helper?" he repeated as if he heard a joke.

" Of course!!"

Caius stared at her for a few seconds before sighing"Don’t follow me this time." He turned and continued walking.

Hazel stood there for a moment. Then she scoffed. "Why are you so ungrateful?"

Caius stopped.

Hazel walked after him again. "Don’t you dare deny that I saved you!"

The entire hall became quiet. Caius slowly turned around. A small smirk appeared on his face. "Oh." he nodded.

Hazel immediately became nervous. That smile was dangerous.

Caius looked toward the guards. "This little wolf saved your king."

Hazel’s eyes widened. "Wait..."

Caius’s smirk became deeper. "She should be able to save the armies during the war too."

Hazel’s smile disappeared. "Wait, what?"

Caius turned toward the guards. "Take her to the ongoing war."

Hazel’s mouth dropped open. "And let her fight the demons."

"Your Majesty!" Hazel shouted.

But Caius was already walking away.

"Hey!" Hazel quickly chased after him, but the guards respectfully stepped in front of her.

The guards exchanged helpless looks before gently taking her arms. Hazel struggled as they began escorting her toward the palace exit.

"Wait! Will you really take me there?" Her eyes widened in horror.

The guards nodded with smile. Hazel looked toward the direction Caius had disappeared.

"CAIUS!" Her voice echoed through the palace. "You old—!" She quickly stopped herself. Hazel swallowed. "Never mind."

Twenty-eight days suddenly felt very short. And now, before she could even begin her plan to make her mate fall for her, she was being sent straight into a war against demons.