CHAPTER 108: JEALOUS MOTHER

*~ Hazel’s POV ~*

He was coming closer... closer than I could comprehend. And Flora..my damn new wolf...was encouraging it.

No....And damn it..yes.

I wanted it. I wanted him. I wanted him to jump on me and claim me as his. I wanted him to slide into me and treat me like his wife..just like he always called me.

And as if the babies could hear the storm boiling in my chest, Heather let out a sudden cry.

I rushed to her, grateful for the distraction. "I need to breastfeed her," I said quickly, my voice breathless. "Can you leave?"

He let out a low, guttural growl... but he turned and walked out.

I sighed, pressing my hand to my chest. My heart was racing..fluttering like a trapped hummingbird in my ribs.

Damn it.

Mate. Mate. Mate.

Flora was screeching inside my head like she’d lost her mind. I almost wanted to grab her by the throat and throw her out of my body.

What the hell did she mean she wanted Cyrius?

Can’t she see...feel..the marks already on my neck?

I’m not mated to just one wolf. I’m bound to two. Two deliciously handsome men waiting for me back home.

I know I can’t let Cyrius touch me. No. Never.

I stood up, needing air. Needing space.

I walked to the window, desperate for the cool night breeze to calm my nerves. I knew I couldn’t escape..not yet. The compulsion Cyrus had placed on me still pulsed under my skin, and even the thought of running made my body vibrate in warning.

So maybe... I could survive just a little longer.

From the window, I looked down at the courtyard. My eyes immediately caught on the same woman I’d seen dancing with Cyrius earlier..the one who was way too close to him.

Now she was laughing and jiggling around with a group of other maidens, her voice loud and shrill. She’s going to be the future Luna, I thought bitterly, my jaw tightening.

I should’ve looked away. I should’ve turned around and walked away.

But no...Something in me..it wasn’t just Flora..wanted to listen. Needed to. Especially after seeing her hands all over my... him ugh!

So I watched, my eyes locked on her as I tuned into their conversation.

"I heard Cyrius is at the bar," she giggled, tossing her curls. "I can literally smell his pheromones from here."

Another one laughed. "Doesn’t he have a wife?"

The first girl scoffed, "Well, thank the Moon she rejected this night. Because I’m putting my claws all over him."

They shrieked and laughed, then walked arm-in-arm into a massive building with lights blaring from the windows.

A club...They were going into a damn club.

And Cyrius was there.

With them.

Her words echoed in my head:

"I’m putting my claws all over him."

Something inside me snapped...It wasn’t just Flora. It was me.

The very thought of her grinding on him, touching him, moaning for him..it made my head spin, my body shudder.

But why should I care?

I’m not his wife. I shouldn’t be the one worrying about his needs or wondering who he’s putting his claws on. That’s not my place. He kidnapped me, remember? He compelled me to stay here, away from my home, away from my mates. I’m not responsible for satisfying anything he wants.

And yet, as I paced the room, the thought of that girl giggling, whispering about putting her claws all over him had my stomach twisting into angry knots.

No, no, no. I refuse to let this get to me.

I turned back to my babies, gently rocking them even though they were fast asleep. Peaceful. Unbothered. Unlike their mother, whose mind was spiraling into madness. I pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads and stepped away. But the second I sat on the bed, I knew..sleep wasn’t coming for me tonight.

Flora was growling inside me. Go get your mate. Mates. Mates.

"Mates, my ass," I mumbled, grabbing a pillow and screaming into it.

"Shut up, Flora!" I yelled at my own wolf, my voice muffled in the fabric.

God, this was insane. I’m in charge, not her. I’m Hazel. I survived worse than this. I’ve buried my emotions, fought witches—hell, I’ve clawed my way out of death. I’m not about to lose my mind over one hot, dangerous, impossible man with hypnotic eyes and pheromones that smell like lust and forest fire.

Still... if Flora ever saw Caspian and Cayden again, I knew she’d forget all about Cyrius. Right? Right.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but the ache in my stomach only deepened. The weird feeling wasn’t fading. I should’ve ignored it, but something...everything..was screaming inside me.

Maybe... maybe I just needed confirmation. Just to see.

Not because I care.

Not because I’m jealous.

Just... to confirm.

Yeah, that’s it.

I got up and poured myself a beer, downing it in a few gulps. I grabbed another. My hands were shaking. I could still feel Cyrius’ breath on my skin, his voice whispering "Wife" in that growly, feral tone. The way he looked at my neck... the way his eyes dropped to where Caspian and Cayden had marked me.

Stop it, Hazel. Don’t think about him naked. Just stop.

I rubbed my temples, muttering, "You don’t care. You don’t care. You’re only going to check."

I walked to the window again. The streets below were glowing with nightlife. Lights, music, laughter. Somewhere out there, she was probably already in his lap.

"Fine," I said aloud, teeth gritted.

If he’s going to sleep with her, then I need to know.

Just confirmation.

I tied my hair into a messy bun, my face flushed with heat I didn’t want to name. I looked back at my babies and whispered, "Stay safe. Mama just needs to check something real quick."

I threw on a coat over my silk nightwear and headed toward the door, muttering to myself as I went, "I’m not jealous. Just a little investigative research. That’s all."

After finally giving in, I tied a scarf across my face so no one would recognize me. My heart was pounding as I stepped out into the night, the city air cool against my skin. I followed the path toward the club, the music blaring so loud I could feel it in my chest.

The moment I reached the front of the building, I caught his scent. Cyrius.

Not just his scent—I could hear his heartbeat.

Good. That would make it easier to find him.

I stepped inside, weaving through sweaty bodies and questionable activity. The place reeked of desire, chaos, and alcohol. My eyes scanned every dark corner. No sign of him. Was he already...?

No. I swallowed the rising bile in my throat. Don’t go there.

But his scent—it was stronger upstairs. That’s where he was. So I headed toward the stairway, only to be stopped by two bulky guards stationed at the entrance.

"Sorry," one of them said, holding out a hand. "No wolves allowed upstairs unless you’re official."

I tried to stay calm. "My husband is up there. I just want to talk to him."

"Husband?" one of them repeated, raising a brow. Then they chuckled—mocking, amused. "Ain’t no married couples up there. All single wolves."

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

"Is everybody up there...?" I muttered under my breath, horrified.

Before I could react, another one mumbled, "Oh damn. Now I really wanna know."

I took a breath and stood tall. "Look, I’m sorry. But he’s really up there. I can hear his heartbeat."

They looked at each other. Then one of them scoffed and said, "If that’s your man up there... he’s a whack-ass husband."

With a grunt and a wave, they finally let me pass.

I ascended the stairs, one slow, shaking step at a time, following the rhythm of Cyrius’ heartbeat. The closer I got, the louder it became—steady, strong, real. My fingers trembled as they brushed the wall for balance.

Then I reached the door.

And froze.

Inside, I could hear moans. Low, breathy. Kissing sounds. Wet. Intimate.

No.

No, they weren’t—

I pushed the door open.

There he was.

Cyrius.

Shirtless.

The woman had her arms wrapped around him, her claws raking lightly across his bare skin. His hands were on her shoulders, holding her close. Their lips were just inches apart.

My heart cracked in half.

Oh no.

Oh no no no.

Flora took over before I could even blink.

The next second, I was airborne—literally—and slammed her head straight into the wall.

CRACK.

She slumped like a rag doll, completely unconscious. Good.

"HAZEL!" Cyrius roared, his voice thick with shock.

I didn’t even flinch.

"What?" I said—no, snapped. Loud. Unbothered. "No really, what?"

My eyes were blazing. My heart was somewhere between exploding and disintegrating. "I’ve seen exactly what I needed to see, thank you very much. Now I’m going back to have a terrible night in peace."

I turned, already halfway out the door—

But he grabbed me.

Dragged me back with those strong arms like I was weightless. My body spun around and suddenly I was face to face with him. His breath hit mine. His skin glowed under the dim light. My eyes..traitorous, stupid eyes glanced at his perfect shoulders, those carved abs, that disgustingly masculine, flawless body.

No. No way in hell.

Was I..was I finding him attractive after he just cheated on me?!

I shoved him. Hard. "Leave me alone! You CHEATED—!"

His brow twitched. "Cheater?"

"Oh, don’t you dare play dumb with me," I spat. "That thing.." I pointed to the woman now half-slumped against the wall. "You were all over her! Holding her. Touching her. Your lips—about to—"

"I wasn’t going to kiss her!"

"Oh really? Then what were you gonna do, Cyrius? Shake hands with your chest out and claws grazing her hips?!"

His jaw clenched. "She came onto me."

I gave the fakest laugh of my life. "And you just stood there? You didn’t move, you didn’t flinch, you didn’t even try to push her away!"

"I was frozen!" he barked, stepping closer. "Because the only thing I could think about was you! And how I’m ruining everything every time I try to protect you—"

"Protect me? Is that what we’re calling this now? Humping random wolves in secret rooms?"

"I didn’t HUMP her!"

I gasped. "You raised your voice at me?"

He blinked. His lips parted. "Hazel, no—"

"No, you don’t get to raise your voice. Not after what I saw. Not after you dragged me to this stupid city, kissed me like a man possessed, and then let some girl drape herself all over you like a clearance rack jacket!"

Cyrius’s face twisted with a mix of regret and frustration. "You don’t understand what’s happening to me—what you’re doing to me. I’m going insane around you, Hazel."

My throat tightened. "Good. Go insane somewhere else."

And just like that, I turned around again, walking away with my head high—even though my heart was crumbling behind the scarf.

But of course, he wasn’t done.

He grabbed my wrist.

"Hazel. Look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t feel something when we kissed."

"Let. Me. Go."

His grip tightened. "Say it."

I yanked my hand free. My voice cracked like thunder.

"I FELT HUMILIATED!"