The Alpha's Regret, The Lycan King's Obsession.

Hazel's POV 

"Are you deaf, or just stupid, b*tch?" Hailey sneered. 

Her hands slammed me back against the locker door. My worn-out books hit the floor with a slap. 

I didn't need to look up to recognize those designer boots. Hailey Sterling, Lunas Crest royalty, and the girl the whole pack already treated like our next Luna. Beside her, Ruby and Natasha sneered in unison, watching me as though I were something scraped off the bottom of their shoes.

"I asked you a question," Hailey said, stepping into my space. She was flawless, as always. Her blonde hair fell in cascading waves over her dress.

"I-I didn't see you," I stammered, keeping my eyes glued to the scuffed toes of my sneakers. Rule number one of surviving Lunas Crest as a scholarship student, never look an elite in the eye.

"Look at her, dress in whatever trash she has," Ruby mocked. 

"She is homeless, basically," Natasha barked out a laugh. "Lives in the slums with her junkie mother. Surprised she even knows how to bathe."

A sharp ache bloomed in my chest. Why me? What had I ever done to them other than exist in the same airspace?

Hailey reached out, her nails digging painfully into my chin, forcing my face up. Her eyes flashed gold-a warning of her rising wolf. "Stay out of my way today, bit*h. Because the next time you cross your pathetic useless body in front of me, I'll break your legs and feed it to the dogs. Understand?"

 "Hey, blonde bitch!"

Zoey stomped down the hallway, her fiery red curls bouncing with every step. Her green eyes blazed with rage that made even Hailey and her friends take a step back.

"Back the hell off her," Zoey snarled, stepping in front of me, shielding my body with her own. "Or I swear to the Goddess, I will drag you by your hair all the way to the principal's office."

Hailey scoffed, rubbing her chin, though a flicker of annoyance crossed her features. Zoey might not be an Alpha, but she was a high-ranking pack princess, and she fought like a feral demon when provoked. "You're ridiculous, Zoey. Defending a bottom-feeder like her. Let's go, girls. Let's not waste a single second on them."

With a final, disgusted glare, they walked down the hallway, parting the sea of students.

Once they were gone, the tension drained from my shoulders, leaving me trembling. I slid down the front of my locker to gather my scattered books. Zoey immediately dropped to her knees beside me helping me gather them.

"Are you okay, Haze? Did that she-devil do something to you?" Zoey asked, her hands fluttering over my arms, checking for any injuries.

"I'm fine, Zoey. Really," I whispered, forcing a smile as I clutched my history book to my chest. "Thank you. Again."

"You don't need to thank me. I just wish you'd let me punch her properly just once." Zoey sighed, hauling me to my feet and linking her arm around mine. "Come on. Don't let her ruin your day. Today is the day, Hazel. You finally shift. You get to meet your soulmate. Everything changes today."

My stomach did a nervous flip. Eighteen. The day I would finally shift into my wolf form. But as we walked down the sprawling corridors of Lunas Crest... I felt nothing but dread.

"I doubt the Moon Goddess has a plan for me," I muttered. "I just want to survive until graduation."

"Stop that," Zoey scolded gently as we reached the hallway where our classes split. "You are amazing, Hazel. Your mate is going to be really lucky to have you. Now, go to class. I'll see you at lunch."

She gave me a quick squeeze and bounded off toward the science wing. Instantly, the cold isolation crept back in. Without Zoey or Killian by my side, I was defenseless.

I hurried into my first class History, my favorite subject and quickly took my seat at the very back of the room. I loved history. It was the only place where the ancient texts spoke of equality, where legendary Royal wolves ruled with compassion, and where omegas were revered as the heart of a pack, rather than its dirt.

I had just pulled out my notebook when the door swung open, and the entire atmosphere of the room shifted. The air grew heavy, thick with an intoxicating aura that made the hairs on my arms stand on edge.

Silas River walked in.

He was the school heartthrob, the king of Lunas Crest, and the future Alpha of our pack. Silas was unfairly gorgeous with thick, tousled blonde hair, piercing ocean-blue eyes, and a broad, athletic build that filled out his clothes seamlessly. He walked with an effortless swagger, knowing every eye in the room was on him.

Flanking him on either side were his best friends and betas, Dante and Dennis. The twins were fiercely intimidating, Dante with black hair, and Dennis with messy brown hair and a playful smirk.

My heart did that foolish stutter it always did when Silas was near. It was my deepest secret I'd never admit aloud. But I knew the reality. Silas and I lived in two different worlds. We were worlds apart, and I dared not even dream of having him. I kept my head down as he passed my desk, catching only a brief whiff of his scent before the teacher called the room to order.

The class flew by in a blink of an eye. Before I knew it, the bell rang, signaling the dreaded transition to the next block.

I walked through the crowded hallways with my head down, slipping into my math class just before the bell rang. A wave of relief washed over me when I saw a hand waving from the middle row.

Killian Vargas.

My best friend and Zoey's mate, he was a gentle giant, broad-shouldered, standing well over six feet tall, with warm brown eyes. He had already pulled out the chair next to his, resting his legs on the desk in front of him.

"Hey, birthday girl," Killian whispered as I slid into the seat, dumping my bag on the floor. He bumped his shoulder against mine. "Eighteen. It's a big deal. What are the plans for tonight? Zoey and I want to take you to the diner, our treat. Burgers, milkshakes, the works."

A pang of guilt hit my chest. "I can't, Killian. But thank you. Truly."

His smile faltered, replaced by a deep frown of concern. "Is it your mom again?"

I nodded slowly, tracing the wood grain on my desk. My reality was a far cry from the glittering lives of my classmates. "I have to take care of her," I whispered, the shame burning my cheeks.

Killian sighed, his eyes softening with sympathy. "You're too good for this place, Hazel. Just... let me know if you need anything, okay? If you need me to come over and help you out, or if you need money, just tell me."

"I know. Thank you."

The teacher walked in a minute later, and the lesson began, but I couldn't focus. For the rest of the day, a strange heat spread through my body during the last lesson. My skin tingled beneath my uniform, and every sound in the classroom became painfully sharp. My breathing quickened.

Something was changing.

Then, deep inside my mind, a familiar voice stretched and yawned.

Eva.

My wolf was waking up. She had been restless lately.

"Strong," Eva's voice echoed in my head. "We're strong. No more hiding."

I spent the final hours of the school day gripping the edges of my desk, trying to keep Eva from clawing her way to the surface. She was pacing in the back of my head, demanding to be let out. It took every ounce of my strength to suppress her until the final bell rang.

The hallways descended into their usual chaotic rush as students walked out toward the parking lots. I trudged to my locker, feeling exhausted, sweaty, and thoroughly drained. The halls slowly emptied, the noise fading into an eerie silence.

I spun the dial on my locker, grabbed my threadbare jacket, and shoved my books into my bag. I stood there for a long moment, staring at the door. I closed my eyes, leaning my forehead against it. Please, I prayed silently to the Moon Goddess. Please let me find my mate soon. Let him be kind. Let him be someone who will love us, who will take us away from everything.

I slammed the locker shut and took a deep breath, preparing for the long walk back to my house.

But as soon as I turned around, it hit me.

A scent.

It hit my senses like a freight train, stealing the breath from my lungs and making my knees buckle.

Eva howled a deafening cry of pure need, her tail wagging so hard it made me feel dizzy.

MATE!