CHAPTER 214: LITTLE WITCH!

*~~Hazel’s POV~**

My name is Hazel Gilbert—now, Hazel Gilbert Salvatore. And this is my story. My life began in shambles. I was weak, unwanted, and the pack’s dirty little secret. Yet today, I stand as a mother of twins, the first female Alpha, and the mother of Crescents.

My journey has been a storm of struggle and sorrow, laughter and light—every emotion tangled into one long, bleeding thread.

If someone had told me back then—when I thought I was just a human girl living under my father’s torture—that I’d end up leading one of the greatest packs in existence, I would’ve laughed. I thought my father would marry me off to some random omega, that my life would be small and silent.

But fate had other plans. Now I live a life larger than I could ever have imagined—with three husbands, two beautiful babies, and a pack that unites wolves and Crescents alike.

As I stood before my father’s grave, My mother knelt at the grave, clutching the flowers to her heart as though she could hold onto him that way.

"Mother," I whispered, kneeling beside her and touching her shoulder gently. "Can we go? It’s my coronation day."

She pressed a final kiss to the petals, laid them on the grave, then turned to me with a trembling smile. "I’m glad I lived to see this day."

I nodded, helped her up, and together we walked toward the High House. We couldn’t take the front door—too many wolves and Crescents had gathered there, the air alive with anticipation. So we took the rooftop route.

The moment we landed, Aurora’s voice hit me like a whip. "Where were you?" she snapped. "Caspian is already dressed, and you’re still in your ninth gown! Is this how you plan to be crowned Alpha?"

Before I could answer, she grabbed my hand and dragged me toward my chamber. Despite her scolding, Aurora had always been the sister I never truly had. My real sisters had cut my hair with scissors once out of spite. But Aurora? She brushed and braided it now with care, her reflection in the mirror warm with pride and a touch of sadness.

"It’s such a beautiful feeling," she said softly. "To see this day finally come. We’ve been through so much, Hazel. I’m so happy to see you like this."

I smiled at her reflection. "I guess I finally got my happy ending. We all did." But something in her eyes shifted. Her smile faltered.

"Aurora?" I asked quietly. "How are you and Leon?"

Her body went still. "What?"

"Come on," I teased gently. "Don’t pretend you’re not in love with him. You can tell me."

But then her expression crumbled. Tears shimmered in her eyes—something I’d never seen from her before. My stomach twisted. "Aurora, what’s wrong?"

She inhaled shakily. "Hazel... today Leon will find his mate."

My heart dropped. "His mate?"

She nodded. "The elders are using the coronation to host a mates ceremony. Leon is of age now. We both turn eighteen today."

I swallowed hard. "And if he doesn’t find one? What if... what if he’s yours?"

Aurora’s lips trembled into a bitter smile. "Hazel, I’m a witch. He’s a wolf. There can never be anything between us. Absolutely nothing."

"Never say never, Aurora." I cupped her cheeks gently, forcing her to look at me. "Look at me today. Who would’ve thought the weak human—the one mated to the Salvatore triplets everyone hated, the one even Cayden rejected—would be crowned Alpha?"

"But that’s different," she whispered.

"It’s not different," I said firmly. "You just have to have hope. Aurora, have hope. I got my happy ending—but it’s not truly happy if the people I love aren’t smiling with me."

"Haze..." she murmured, wiping her eyes quickly. "I’ve accepted it. Leon and I are never going to be together. Today, he’ll find his mate. He’ll get married, have children, and be happy. And me? Even if I never find anyone I truly love, I’ll still live. I have Heather and Christian. I’ll raise them, I’ll be happy."

"No," I said sharply. "Stop lying to yourself."

Her eyes widened.

"Leon is your happiness," I continued. "I can feel it. I’ve told you a thousand times before—I’m living proof your love can work. I’m a Crescent. A perfect blend of wolf and witch. You’re part of this pack, Aurora. The Blue Crescents aren’t just wolves anymore. We’re wolves and Crescents. So stop doubting it. Have faith."

Her breath hitched.

"I’m sure Leon loves you back," I whispered. "Or doesn’t he?"

She shook her head quickly. "He does. He loves me. Leon loves me," she sobbed, falling into my arms.

I wrapped her tightly, rubbing her back. "Then stop crying. It’s true love, Aurora. The Goddess knows what she’s doing. He won’t find a mate today—he’ll come back to you."

She nodded through her tears, her voice trembling. "Okay."

"Good girl," I murmured, brushing the last tear from her cheek.

Seeing Aurora—strong, fierce Aurora—soften like this in my arms was indescribable. She’d always been the unbreakable one. But now, she was showing me her broken side, her heart. And I’d never take that for granted.

"Now," I said, standing and offering her my hand, "let’s get through this day together."

She took my hand and squeezed it tightly.

As we stepped out of the room, we bumped right into Cayden—holding Christian in his arms.

"Hazel! Hazel!" he said breathlessly, grinning from ear to ear. "He said his first word!"

"What?" I blinked, dropping Aurora’s hand and rushing toward him. I scooped Christian from his arms. "What did you just say?!"

"He said his first word, Hazel," Cayden said proudly. "He said Papa."

"What?!" I gasped. "No! That’s not fair—I’m supposed to be their first word! I carried them in my soul for nine months, Cayden!"

He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Well, you still have Heather. If Christian said Papa, maybe she’ll say Mama."

"Yes, where is Heather?" I asked quickly.

Cayden’s smile faltered. "I thought she was with you."

I froze. "What? Since Christian’s with you, I assumed Heather was with you."

"No," he said, frowning. "I only found Christian in their chamber. That’s why I brought him. I thought Heather was already with you."

Aurora immediately stepped between us. "So, are you telling me Heather is missing?"

My heart stuttered. My pulse was so loud I could barely think. "No, no, no, she must be with Alice—or Lily—or someone—"

Just then, Alice appeared, looking frantic. "Hazel! You need to go downstairs now! The Elders are waiting—you’re supposed to be crowned!"

"I’m looking for Heather!" I snapped. "Where is she? Is she with you?"

Alice blinked, startled. "No—wasn’t she in the chamber?"

"It was only Christian," Cayden said, his tone darkening.

Alice’s expression twisted with confusion. "So... you mean Heather is missing?"

Aurora cut in quickly. "She’s not exactly missing. Someone’s probably just with her."

Alice nodded briskly. "Alright. I’ll check with everyone. Don’t panic, Hazel. Today is your day. She’s not missing." She hurried off, leaving me standing there with my heart in my throat.

Cayden looked utterly lost, glancing from me to Christian. "Boy, where’s your sister, huh?" he asked, talking to him like the baby could answer. "Why’d you let her leave, huh?"

"Hazel," Aurora said gently, grabbing my arm. "Don’t panic. Be calm. Nothing’s wrong with Heather."

I tried to steady my breathing. My hands were trembling.

"Let’s split up," Aurora suggested. "We’ll find her faster."

I nodded weakly, lifting my gown to move faster.

"Don’t wander too far!" Aurora called as I rushed off. "We’ll meet back here!"

I couldn’t answer. My throat was too tight. My baby—my Heather—was missing.

I searched every corner of the High House, my footsteps echoing on the marble floors. "Heather!" I called softly, hoping she’d somehow respond. "Where are you, sweetheart?"

No answer. Only the soft hum of the wind through the halls.

Then—I heard it.

A faint chuckle.

My heart leapt. I ran toward the sound, following it up to the last floor.

There, bathed in the golden glow of sunlight streaming through a wide window—sat Heather. My little girl.

She was sitting cross-legged, smiling, gazing straight at the sun as if she could see something beyond it.

"Heather!" I gasped, running to her.

She turned to me with that sweet, angelic smile. "Mama," she said softly.

My entire body froze. Mama.

Her first word. Me.

"Oh, my Goddess..." I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. I scooped her up, holding her tight, burying my face in her tiny shoulder.

She kept giggling, still pointing out the window. I followed her gaze.

The sunlight burned my eyes, but she kept staring—entranced—like she saw something I couldn’t.

"Heather," I whispered. "What are you looking at?"

She just smiled and tugged on my hair playfully, the same little habit she always had when she was happy.

I couldn’t help but laugh through my tears. "You scared me half to death, little witch."

And yet, as she stared into the light, smiling, I couldn’t shake the strange feeling...