We are alone. Me and Kairos. Kairos and I. Alone. Holy freaking shit! What do I say to him?!
I nervously tug at the sweater I'm wearing while darting my eyes around the room. I'll do anything not to meet his eyes.
He's looking at me. I know he's looking at me! But the butterflies in my tummy are too much to bear. If I look at him, I think I'll start throwing up rainbows and butterflies.
He marked me! The freaking lycan I've been dreaming about for the past month marked me!
Not because he wanted to. All he did was save your tiny little life.
I think the shitty voice I call my inner thoughts has gotten meaner after nearly dying.
But it's true. It's not like he wanted to. He did it out of obligation. Because I was going to die. Hard guilt settles in my chest, eagerly banishing the butterflies.
I bet he doesn't even want to be mated to a wolf shifter. Especially a mess like me.
I finally peek at him behind my lashes. He gives me a soft smile.
Holy shit. That is the nicest smile I've ever seen. Do I have a thing for smiles?
My eyes trail over his tan skin and five o'clock shadow to his messy black hair. He must've run his hands through the strands out of stress. The guilt pulses a little harder in my stomach now. I build up the courage to try to say something.
"Thank-"
"How ar-"
We both pause after speaking at the same time before he lets out a chuckle.
Holy shit. That is the most attractive laugh I've ever heard. Do I have a thing for laughs?
"You go first," I say sheepishly.
"No, no, you first," he insists.
"No, you-"
"No, really! What were you going to say?" He asks with a tilt of his head, his silver eyes shimmering with mirth.
Those are the prettiest eyes I've ever seen. Holy shit. Do I have a thing for eyes? I have to have a thing for eyes!
"I was just going to say thank you. For saving my life. You didn't have to, but you did."
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and push myself up. But, when I land on my feet, I stumble forward, and he immediately catches me. His hands fall on my waist, and mine on his biceps. They're huge. I can see them perfectly in the long-sleeved compression shirt he's wearing. But, screw that, I'm can feel them now!
Have always been this much of a horn-dog?
"Sorry, sorry!" I squeak, trying to regain my footing. He just chuckles again.
"Don't worry. And no need to thank me," he says, his arms falling from my waist after I stand normally. "I was planning on marking you anyway."
I think I just have a thing for him. As a whole. As a whole person. As a whole goddamn person.
Oh, Goddess. I'm in deep shit.
I'm left with my mouth open, blubbering like a fish.
"I actually think I should be the one apologizing," he says, running a hand through his hair. "It wasn't the way I wanted it to happen, for any of this to happen. But I'm glad I got there on time."
"You did..." I trail off, wondering if I'm going to weird him out with what I say next. "Do you know what Kairos means?"
"No. I probably should, shouldn't I?"
"You should. It means the right time."
"Does it?"
He takes a step closer to me, so close that our chests almost touch. I have to angle my head up to look at him. He's smiling down at me, almost a smirk. But his eyes are soft, with a touch of...something. I'm not quite sure what it is. But it makes me feel all warm, right down to my toes. And giddy. And relaxed. And peaceful.
"It does," I breathe out, barely above a whisper. He's so close to me that I can smell him. And he smells heavenly. My heart feels like it's going to beat right out of my chest at our close proximity.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I wonder if he can hear it.
"And how'd you know that?" He whispers back, his hand catching a piece of hair that was tickling my cheek. I gulp.
"I read it."
He hums softly.
"Smart." He pauses, twirling the strand behind my ear in a way that makes his thumb brush my cheek, his silver eyes trailing across my face. "My smart little mate."
My heart is going to explode. In a good way. In the goodest way possible.
The door slams open, and I jump away from him with a gasp.
"Oh shit, did we interrupt something?" Cora questions, very clearly interrupting something. Her green eyes are bright with amusement.
Kairos lets out a huff and pinches his nose.
"I think it's time for you to get going. We'll take it from here," Sabrina says innocently, but her eyes hold the same amusement.
"Yeah, yeah," Kairos grumbles out. He gives me one last look. "I want to see you before you go."
I just nod. In a daze. Still trying to recover from how close we were. He steps out of the room, and the two females advance towards me. As he turns down the hallway outside, my body goes cold. The warmth that came from being around him instantly disappears. The hum on my neck quiets down, pulsing mournfully as if to say come back!
"Are you alright?" Sabrina asks.
"Um, yeah. I'm fine." I manage to mumble out, trying to ignore the uncanny coldness in my body. Cora hands me the clothes.
"Hazel? If something is wrong, you have to tell us." Cora pushes.
"It's just," I start, trying to figure out how to explain it. "I feel cold. Not temperature-wise. But I just feel...I don't know...empty. Like before."
"It might be because you're away from Kairos. Lycan mate bonds are strong," Sabrina answers, giving me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"So what? We're not good enough for you?" Cora accuses me jokingly.
"What?! No! That's not-" I try to protest.
"You've only known that man for like 2 hours and you like him better already! Hazel Wren! What will we do with you?" Cora puts a hand on her hip and shakes her head.
"You know what they say! Girls before dumb, stupid men!" Sabrina pipes up with a giggle.
"No one says that. Except you." Cora deadpans.
"Okay, and? It's still true."
"Touche."
They both burst into a fit of laughter and before I know it, I'm laughing too. It wasn't even that funny (I hope Sabrina can't read minds), but I laugh more than I have in a long time.
Slowly, the warmth returns to my body and I no longer feel alone. Something else pulses within me. Other than the matebond.
Packbonds.
"Let's get you into this!" Sabrina says after regaining her composure. They usher me into the connected bathroom.
They've handed me a simple sweater and a pair of jeans. I look in the bathroom mirror and immediately cringe.
You're telling me I looked like THAT while talking to Kairos?
Interestingly, though, I feel and look better than I have in weeks. Some of the color has returned to my face. And there's shine in my hair. Even though it looks insane. And my eyes have returned to their normal shade of dark brown. I don't look as dreadful as I could've.
It's still embarrassing, though.
I hurriedly slip on the clothes and tie my curls into a simple braid since I don't want to keep the two girls waiting. The bathroom is nice, with a rainfall shower, a beautiful tub, and gorgeous tiling. Not to mention huge. Even the room was nice, with a large king-sized bed and bay windows.
"Where are we right now?" I ask after closing the door to the bathroom.
"Our house! This is Kairos's room!" Sabrina responds. I pause. I slept on Kairos's bed?
"It was best to bring you here. We didn't want your pack to find you, just in case." Cora adds.
I nervously tug at the sleeves of the sweater.
"Thank you," I say softly. "You guys saved my life. On multiple occasions. You don't even know. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"There's no repayment needed. We're friends," Cora smiles at me softly, and Sabrina nods in agreement. Unwanted tears well in my eyes.
Friends.
"Don't cry, Hazel! If you cry, I'll cry!" Sabrina exclaims, pulling me into another hug. I bury my head in her shoulder and nod. Cora wraps her arms around us, and now we're in a group hug.
I've never experienced this before. This level of kindness. This level of friendship. No one has talked to me long enough to become friends. No one has cared about me enough to treat me this way. But somehow, inadvertently, I found it. It took going through hell and nearly dying, but I think I might've found it.
People who care for me. People who cry for me. People who cry with me. And it's so beautiful.
It's decided. As long as they have me, I'll be their friend. A good friend. The best friend I can be. I'll do my best to never let them down. And I'll stick by them, always.
After slowly breaking from our group hug, Sabrina gives me a soft smile.
"We should get going now. There isn't much time left until the trial starts."
I nod, and they lead me out of the room. We're in a gorgeous, spacious hallway that leads to a grand staircase that spirals down to a beautiful foyer. We make our way down the stairs to the kitchen, where Allistar, Corban, May, and Kairos are gathered around the center island in deep discussion. Papers are littered everywhere. I spy a book titled The Lycanthrope's Constitution and Law next to Allistar.
I've read it. It's the laws of wolves and lycans, written by the first king, King Lycanus, several thousands of years ago. It's been edited and reformed several times. But it has everything. From laws to consequences to how to hold trials. They must be referencing it to build their case.
"We're going to head out now," Cora announces. All heads turn towards us. Kairos drops the papers he's holding to walk over to me.
"We're almost done here. Just wait for us, okay? We'll get you out," he reassures me. I feel a strong sense of deja vu at his words. I give him a soft smile and nod.
"Hazel," Corban calls out, and I look towards him. He has a determined look on his face, something I've never seen before. The look is stubborn and daunting as if he's a grand lion hunting for his prey.
"They'll do everything to get you to submit in there. But don't let them. You're one of us now."
With his words, I feel more pack bonds form. Four of them, now. Cora. Sabrina. Corban. Allistar.
"You've read this?" Allistar asks, holding up The Lycanthrope's Constitution and Law. I nod.
"You remember everything you read, right?"
I nod again.
"Then give it to 'em."
His smile is kind but positively feral.
"Thank you," I say shakily. "I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me."
"Like I said, you're one of us now. Go get 'em, tiger." Corban smiles with the same humor and laid-back persona I'm accustomed to.
After saying our goodbyes, Cora and Sabrina lead me away as Kairos trails behind us.
"We'll give you a minute," Sabrina says once we get to the front door. She and Cora step out, leaving Kairos and I in the foyer.
His hand comes up to brush my cheek as I gaze at him.
I don't want to go.
"I don't want you to go," he starts, somehow reading my mind. Or maybe he was thinking the same thing?
"Not in there. Not where I can't protect you. But I know you're stronger than you look. I know you can do this. The moment they let you turn rogue was the moment they abandoned you. But you're not alone anymore. Don't let them walk all over you. Don't let them turn you into something you're not. You have bonds and people who care about you," Kairos says in a gentle but determined voice. I feel warmth well in my chest.
"I've already failed you so many times and left you on your own. But I won't leave you alone after this. Never again. I'll be there as soon as I can. I'm sorry, but can you do this one last time?"
They all believe in me. So I can do this. I will do this. For them. And for him.
"I can," I answer firmly. He smiles and brushes a thumb over my cheek.
"My smart little mate."
Word Count: 2177 words
SOOO apparently I lied in my last authors note when I was like I'll only do updates once a week because HERE I AM WITH AN UPDATE TWO DAYS LATER LOL????
SORRY I COULDNT HELP IT!! I WAS JUST WAYYYY TOOOOOO EXCITED TO POST THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Is Kairos how you imagined him????????? ISN'T ABOUT YOU BY THE 1975 SO KAIROS CODED??? i really thought so
I know it took a fat minute to get Kairos in here but guys, I was so tired of reading rejection stories where the female lead doesn't have a personality other than being hot and mean (bc she leaves her pack after rejection, joins another, and comes back to her old pack after glowing up duh) and being mated to some douche.
OBVIOUSLY THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING HOT AND MEAN!! i support womens rights AND wrongs!!
but still. i wanted to write a story where the focus isn't JUST on the rejection, but on the female character's story as whole! i want her to go through tough but realistic scenarios. have real insecurities. have a personality. have thoughts and dreams and delusions (about being with a hot lycan man obviously because what else). have a REAL story. so that's why it took so long to get kairos in here!
at the end of the day, this is HAZELS story. and I love her. so much so that I got so excited about this chapter I posted it 3 days early lol.
i hope you guys love and root for hazel as much as I do!
please comment and vote if you're enjoying! i read EVERY SINGLE COMMENT. and try to respond to them all. shoutout to my 3 loyal commenters. you guys truly make my day every day!!!!
also 1k reads??? what's going AWNNN. thank you for reading my story! thank you for reading hazel's story!!!
i already have the next two chapters written but they still need to be edited hella! so expect those two soon! :D
i hope you have a wonderful day jaanis <3
love libahrary