“This isn’t your concern,” Hawthorne looked at Putnam contemptuously. A useless mongrel like him had no right to inquire about his affairs. If the person standing in front of him were Cyril, perhaps Hawthorne would be filled with fighting spirit. After all, Cyril was the Alpha of thergest Pack in the world, and all werewolves feared his power. Some vampires even avoided conflict with Cyril. But now, with Putnam in front of him, Hawthorne didn’t regard him highly.


    “Hawthorne, do you have to talk to me this way?” Putnam clenched his fists.


    “I’ll say no more,” Hawthorne looked at Putnam, uncertain of what made him special. “Just hope that you won’t defy the king’s orders.”


    “I never intended to defy the king’s orders,” Putnam said. He knew that he couldn’t engage in any conflict with Hawthorne at the moment.


    “Remember, do not harm Hazel anymore,” Hawthorne’s gaze grew sharp as he stared at Putnam, seemingly giving him a warning.


    “Give me a reason,” Putnam grinned, as if he had discovered something amusing. Was there a story behind the king’s right-hand assistant and a low-ranking werewolf girl?


    Hawthorne’s gaze shifted slightly; he was clearly fed up with this mongrel dog. Putnam’s words were just too much.


    When Putnam’s feet left the ground, he realized he had truly provoked Hawthorne. This vampire with heterochromia had formidable strength.


    Hawthorne grabbed Putnam by the neck, lifting him off the ground. Helpless, Putnam couldn’t resist. As an Alpha of a Pack, he should have been incredibly powerful, but in front of Hawthorne, he was unable to move. The realization filled Putnam with panic.


    “Don’t ask too many questions, understand?” Hawthorne’s eyes rotated, and Putnam felt unbearable pain, preventing his brain from focusing on anything else. Hawthorne released his grip and threw Putnam to the ground.


    Veins protruded from Putnam’s forehead, his face turned pale, and hey on the ground, gasping for fresh air inrge gulps.


    “Putnam, do you understand now?” Hawthorne spoke again, wiping his hands with a tissue.


    “I know, I understand,” Putnam curled up on the ground, too afraid to inquire further. Putnam knew the king possessed tremendous power, but he had no idea Hawthorne was this formidable. Perhaps he shouldn’t have taunted Hawthorne from the beginning.


    “Very well, good luck,” Hawthorne said before disappearing into the darkness as though he had never been there.


    Putnam watched the direction where Hawthorne had left, his gaze turning somber. He needed to find out the nature of Hazel’s rtionship with Hawthorne. When the pain subsided, Putnam staggered to his feet and left.


    The small town seemed calm, but nobody knew the dangers concealed beneath the surface. When the sun rose, Hazel had already woken up. She pulled back the curtains, and the sunlight flooded her room. Hazel seemed to have grown ustomed to life at the estate. Although she spent most of her time discussing business with Cyril, they had many ns to execute. She prepared herself and headed downstairs, where Berhtulf had already prepared breakfast.


    “Miss Moen, today’s breakfast is a smoked bacon sandwich and oat milk,” Berhtulf smiled at Hazel.


    Hazel saw that Cyril was already seated at the dining table, holding a sandwich. “Thank you, Berhtulf,” Hazel said with a smile, and then she took a seat at the table.


    “Cyril, I will be going to talk to Elmer today. You promised me,” Hazel said.


    “Carlotta and Vi wille to pick you upter,” Cyril nodded. He had promised Hazel that she could return to the town to gauge Elmer’s attitude. Their ns were proceeding systematically, and Cyril didn’t want anything or anyone to disrupt their arrangements.


    Elmer was Hazel’s good friend, and Cyril hoped he was innocent. He didn’t want to see tears in Hazel’s estate.


    “I also want to go back home and see if I can stay there tonight,” Hazel mentioned.


    Cyril had initially wanted to refuse. He knew that the town was more dangerous than they had imagined, and if Hazel left the estate, he couldn’t guarantee her safety. But when her eyes met his, the refusal became hard to voice. Hazel’s eyes were like calm seawater, clean and bright, and she genuinely seemed to miss home.


    “You must return to the estate tomorrow,” Cyril said as he sipped oat milk, trying to keep his voice normal.


    A hint of joy flickered in Hazel’s eyes, and she hadn’t expected Cyril to agree. It seemed that Cyril had be more patient with her recently.


    “I still believe Elmer wouldn’t do such a thing,” Hazel took a bite of her sandwich. She had to test Elmer’s stance, and if he was unaware of She’s actions, she would beg Cyril not to punish him. But Hazel knew that this matter was undoubtedly rted to She.


    “I hope your insistence proves worthwhile,” Cyril said, looking at Hazel. She was a good friend, and Cyril felt a bitter taste in his mouth.


    Before Hazel could reply, she saw Carlotta and Vi entering the hall, both of them smiling.


    “Good morning, Alpha,” Carlotta and Vi said in unison. “Good morning, Hazel.”


    Cyril nodded in response. “Cyril, we’ll be on our way,” Hazel said, quickly wiping her mouth and walking over to Carlotta and Vi.


    Hazel’s heart was filled with joy at the prospect of returning home. She couldn’t wait to see her grandmother and Gerard.


    “No need to return for training tonight,” Cyril stated, and Hazel nodded. She then moved forward with quick steps. Carlotta and Vi followed her, and the three of them left the hall.


    Cyril watched as Hazel departed and his lips tightened into a thin line. Suddenly, he regretted allowing Hazel to leave the estate.


    Hazel returned to her old house, with Carlotta and Vi waiting outside. She opened the door, and her grandmother had just walked from the living room to the yard.


    “Hazel, my dear,” her grandmother eximed as she saw Hazel. Though Hazel had been gone for a short time and stayed in touch, she had still left this room.


    “Grandma, I’ve missed you,” Hazel pouted and hugged her grandmother, soaking in the warmth she offered.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    “My dear, I’ve missed you too,” her grandmother said, holding Hazel’s hand and leading her inside.


    Grandma brought out a te of freshly baked cream chocte chip cookies from the kitchen and ced it in front of Hazel.


    “Give it a taste,” Grandma said lovingly, looking at Hazel. She seemed to have grown more mature.


    Hazel picked up a cookie and took a bite, savoring the rich aroma of cream mixed with chocte that spread in her mouth.


    “I really like this vor,” Hazel said with a smile, her eyes searching for Gerard.


    “Oh, little Hazel, you’re back?” Gerard popped his head out from the backyard, having heard Hazel’s voice earlier.


    “Hey, Gerard, I’m back. How have you been?” Hazel asked, her face beaming with a smile.


    Gerard chuckled heartily, his beard shaking as he did. “I’ve been just fine. How have your days been at the estate?”


    Hazel saw Gerard bring in some fresh fruits from the garden, looking busy but still finding time to chat with her.


    “Everything’s been normal,” Hazel replied. Since moving into Cyril’s private estate, her rtionship with Cyril had grown closer, but not much else had changed.


    “He actually allowed you toe back,” Gerard’s gaze fixed on Hazel. From observing Cyril and Hazel’s interactions, he had sensed that the Alpha had some extraordinary feelings for Hazel. His attitude towards her was different from other girls in town.


    Hazel shrugged, still somewhat amazed. Cyril had indeed given his approval, but she hadn’t forgotten her real purpose.


    Regarding Elmer.