CHAPTER 111: COUPLE GAME.

*~ Hazel’s POV~*

I walked over to the table where the coins were laid and calmly packed all of them with a soft, smug smile. The crowd murmured as I scooped up my winnings. Then, as if on cue, all three ceremonial masks were brought out to honor the winner.

With grace, I made my way to the man I had bet on.

"Merci, Mademoiselle," he said with a French accent, bowing as he gently pecked my hand. "Thank you for believing in me."

He leaned in as if to kiss my hand again, but before he could, Cyrius appeared and yanked my hand away from the man’s grasp, pulling me protectively behind him.

"Careful," Cyrius said, his voice low. "She’s my wife."

I ripped my hand from his grip.

"Careful, husband. He’s just greeting me."

But Cyrius wasn’t done. He seized my wrist again and dragged me away from the crowd, pulling me into a more secluded area between the trees, away from prying eyes.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, yanking myself free.

"No—what are you doing?" he snapped.

"Letting a man kiss your hand while your so-called husband is watching? Really?"

"Oh, are we talking about that now?" I shot back. "Because I remember catching you all lovey-dovey with Aaliyah. Did I say anything? You were in a room with her. And just minutes ago, she was practically wrapping herself around you like a snake. I kept my mouth shut. So don’t you dare act jealous now."

"I’m not jealous," he said, jaw tight. "I’m protecting the title I already announced to this pack..that we’re married. We can’t afford to be seen doing things like that."

"Well, I didn’t ask for the lie," I said. "You lied. You claimed I was your wife. So you can bear the consequences of that."

I stepped before him, head high, refusing to back down.

"We are not married. And you are not the father of my babies. You mean nothing to me. The only reason I’m still here is because you kidnapped me. And soon enough, I’ll find a way to escape. And when I do..." I stepped even closer, almost chest to chest. "I will destroy you."

He chuckled darkly, then gently pushed me back and cupped my chin.

"Feisty little cat," he whispered. "So because your wolf has finally awakened... You think you can harm me?

I turned my gaze away, refusing to look into his bright yellow eyes—because I knew if I did, I’d melt right there under the sun.

He drew me closer again, fingers tightening around my chin. "You do know I’m a vampire, right? The first ever. I could compel you right now...make you a good little wife. Make you apologize for every word you’ve said."

I slapped his hand away.

"Then go ahead and do it..because you and I both know I’ll never give you an ounce of respect without being forced. You’re nothing but a coward, hiding behind compulsion and cheap power."

I turned my back on him.

He grabbed my arm again. "Don’t walk away from me."

I yanked free. "I should’ve turned my back on you ages ago."

He stared at me, seething. "So this is what you want, huh? No more pretending in public?"

"Exactly," I snapped. "I didn’t start the lie. Now go clear it."

And with that, I walked away.

I headed back to the gathering and approached the Alpha. "I’m very sorry, but I’ll be leaving now. The competition is over, and my bet has already won."

The Alpha smiled, shaking his head. "Oh, don’t go just yet, Mrs. Esther. The day isn’t over. Tonight we’re having a campfire. The day after the Blue Moon is Eve’s Day, one of our most celebrated nights. There are more activities. You’d be missing a lot."

How could I say no politely? I nodded and clutched the basket with my babies closer. Goddess, if I had to see Cyrius one more time, I might lose it.

I returned to my seat just in time to see Cyrius return—this time fully dressed, and of course, Aaliyah was practically hanging off him like a leech. I rolled my eyes.

I needed to end this whole compulsion thing. I had my wolf now... maybe if we worked together, we could break it. Or at least weaken it. I started to strategize quietly, until—

His voice cut through the chatter.

"I need your attention," Cyrius announced to the crowd.

Everyone went quiet.

"I and that lady," he said, motioning to me, "are not married."

My heart skipped.

"Huh?" Alexander’s voice echoed across the field.

The whole crowd turned to look at me. I shifted in my seat, uneasy.

Cyrius continued, "When I was traveling to Paris, I met her on the road. She needed help—with herself and her babies. I brought her here to offer her a better life in this pack. And the only way she’d be treated well... was if she arrived as my wife."

Whispers erupted through the crowd.

"But now," he said, "since she’s already recognized by the Alpha, I want to clarify the truth. We are not married."

He smiled softly, as though he had done something noble.

Aaliyah shrieked with delight. "Oh my God! You mean... you’re single?"

He licked his lips. "Yup."

She practically pounced on him, dragging his hand into hers while everyone turned to stare at me.

Alexander raised his brows. "So... you’re a single mother, and he’s just a... helper?"

I let out a soft, awkward laugh and nodded. "Yes... Yes, it’s a funny story, isn’t it?"

Alexander beamed. "Well, thank the heavens. I was honestly a little worried my daughter might marry him and you’d be thrown into a corner. But now that you’re not married, my daughter can have him completely."

He walked off with a spring in his step. I sat there, stunned.

What was Cyrius doing?

But the more I sat with it... the more I realized: this was a good thing.

Now that the lie was cleared, we no longer had to pretend at more charades. And maybe...just maybe...now was my chance to escape him.

The night carried on, but so did the whispers. The gossip around me intensified with every passing second.

Women brushed past me in pairs, laughing under their breath.

"Aww... so she’s not even married to him?"

"He just saved her life? Tragic."

Another sneered loudly enough for me to hear, "She must’ve been so pathetic that her real husband left her. Poor thing. Dumped and alone."

I didn’t react. I simply twisted their fears into silence in my head.

If only they knew the truth.

My real Husband. The father of my children—is an Alpha. Not just any Alpha. The Alpha. One of the strongest werewolves in existence, ruler of the largest territory: New Orleans.

And I’m not even Esther.. Im Hazel.. Gilbert Salvatore.

I cannot reveal my true identity here.

Not when Cyrius has made it clear I must remain hidden.

I suspect Alexander still holds old grudges against Cayden and Caspian. If he finds out I’m their mate....his enemy’s Luna.. I don’t know what hell might unfold. So for now, I remain quiet. Silent power wrapped in false weakness.

Night soon fell, and with it came a half-moon. Candles flickered around the clearing, and a grand campfire blazed at the center of the celebration. Warmth danced across everyone’s faces—but mine felt cold, isolated.

Aaliyah twirled herself around Cyrius like a snake wrapped around a tree. Laughing. Swaying. Letting her hair fall like she was in a perfume ad. The entire crowd was busy. Couples formed naturally, and eyes kept dodging mine.

Or worse—glaring at me.

One man whispered to another, just loud enough,

"She’s so beautiful. Such a waste. Got dumped with two babies. Think anyone will ever give her a chance again?"

I rolled my eyes.

That’s when the man I bet on—the lean one, the underdog—approached me.

He sat beside me with an easy smile.

"Hey," he said. "Hey again."

I turned to him, surprised by his kindness.

"My name’s Robert."

"I’m Esther," I replied, keeping the lie.

"Nice to meet you, Esther. And... thank you. For believing in me earlier."

"It’s okay," I said. "You already thanked me. No need to repeat it."

"No, I have to," he insisted gently. "Your bet—it boosted my confidence. I’ve never had anyone believe in me like that."

I smiled faintly as he offered me a drink. I accepted it, but placed it down untouched.

He leaned over to peek into the baby basket.

"Wow," he whispered. "Your babies are beautiful."

"Thank you."

"What are their names?" he asked.

I pointed softly. "This one is Heather... and this is Christian."

"Wow," he smiled. Then, pointing to Christian, he said, "Their father must be handsome. The girl took after you... But the boy? I think he took after his dad."

I nodded, lips tight. "Yes. He is... very handsome."

A moment passed. Then he asked, "Do you... want to dance?"

I blinked. "Dance?"

"Yeah," he said. "I mean, the night’s just starting. It looks like everyone’s already paired up. And from what I hear, the next event is a couples’ game. If you’re alone, it might be... awkward."

I glanced around. He wasn’t wrong. Everyone had paired up.

"I don’t want to get involved with anyone right now," I said honestly. "I’m married. Or... something close to it."

"I’m not trying to get involved," he replied quickly. "I just... want to return the favor. You believed in me when no one else did. I figured... maybe I can help make tonight a little less lonely."

I hesitated.

"My babies," I said. "I can’t leave them alone."

"You don’t have to," he said, smiling. "Take them with you. You can hold them if it helps. No one’s going to stop you."

I looked toward Cyrius.

He was too busy. Laughing with Aaliyah. She was feeding him grapes like he was some Egyptian god and she was his desperate little servant.

I clenched my jaw.

Everyone around us was already locked into someone else. Every pair had been chosen. The night was unfolding without me.

I turned back to Robert.

"Well," I said softly. "Alright."