Chapter 2 Misunderstood

The weight of my mistake pressed down on me until I could barely breathe. I knew, in that instant, that whatever fragile thread of trust I had with William had been shredded beyond repair.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the cold floor, trembling as I glanced around the dimly lit room. The weak light threw mocking shadows across the walls, amplifying my despair. My father’s fury was a storm, each word striking me like thunder, shaking me to my core. Beside him, Beta Bastet’s fists rained mercilessly upon William, each blow carving my heart deeper. His body was failing, and I could do nothing—nothing but watch him bleed because of me.

Tears blurred my vision as sobs tore from me, raw and unrestrained. I was trapped in a nightmare, helpless to claw my way out. My father’s wrath and Bastet’s brutality had carved a chasm between William and me, one I feared might never be bridged.

“Tell me what you were doing with this demon,” Father roared, “or he dies!” His eyes blazed with outrage, and I hated—hated—that the first real conversation we’d had in so long revolved around William.

He didn’t understand. He couldn’t.

“Please, Father,” I begged, voice shaking. “Tell Beta Bastet to stop—he’s bleeding too much. He’ll die if this continues!”

My father scoffed, his anger flaring. “Did I just hear you worry about a vampire?” His words dripped with disbelief, and when I dropped my gaze, he pressed harder. “You’re worried about this thing, Hazel? These demons murdered your mother!”

The fire in my chest flared before I could stop it. “Maybe not all of them are as bad as you think!” I shouted back.

The moment the words escaped, I wished I could shove them back down. I shouldn’t have spoken. I shouldn’t have raised my voice. I shouldn’t have dared—

Smack!

His hand cracked against my cheek, sending me sprawling to the ground. My face burned, but worse than the sting was the look in his eyes—raw disappointment.

“So, you were having an affair with him?” he spat.

Affair? Really? Why did parents always leap to that conclusion?

“I wasn’t!” I choked out.

“I watched him carrying you in his arms, and you didn’t resist. What if we hadn’t arrived? Would he have bedded you?”

“No! Never, Dad!”

“Then explain yourself!” Father barked, his voice breaking, a tear sliding down his cheek. But before I could speak, he raised a hand, silencing me.

Beta Bastet stepped forward, his voice softer. “Alpha, please. She deserves a chance to explain.”

“I don’t want explanations,” Father growled. “I expected betrayal someday, but never from my own daughter.”

My chest caved at his words.

“Dad, I didn’t betray you. I swear. I met William for the first time tonight. He was helping me. I know I was reckless—I’m sorry. But I’m not siding with vampires. He’s… he’s different. He’s a good one.” The words tumbled out in a rush, desperate.

“A good one?” Father’s voice twisted with scorn. “One day, Hazel, you’ll learn. And I pray it’s not the hard way.” He turned and walked out, leaving me bleeding in silence.

I staggered to my feet, head throbbing from his slap, and knelt beside William. His breathing was ragged, shallow—each inhale a struggle. This was all my fault.

I reached out, but Beta Bastet’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “Hazel, leave.”

I lowered my head. I couldn’t argue. I turned and walked away, guilt crushing me with every step. I had only wanted a night of freedom, and instead I’d gotten William beaten, and Father’s wrath.

Good job, Hazel.

In the kitchen, I washed my face and gulped down water, hoping to steady myself. But a familiar scent drifted to me. Herald. Beta Bastet’s loudmouthed son.

“What do you want now? Don’t you have a home?” I snapped.

He smirked. “So you got caught with your vampire boyfriend. Guess that’s your type, huh? Bloodsucking boys.”

I clenched my fists. Was his idiocy a result of his thick hair or his long legs? “Keep your mouth shut, Herald.”

But he wasn’t done. “What is it? Your kink—getting your blood sucked?”

I wanted nothing more than to tear him apart. Instead, I exhaled sharply and tried to walk past.

“Thought you’d break your arm jumping that fence,” he continued, smug. “Guess I was wrong.”

The truth slammed into me like ice.

Wait. Wait. This bastard.

“Herald!” I screamed. “It was you! You told them!”

My blood boiled. “What the hell is wrong with you? Can’t you keep your mouth shut for once?”

“Turns out I can’t,” he said with a smirk.

“This isn’t funny! William is being punished for nothing. Dad thinks I betrayed him, thinks I—” My voice cracked. “He’s bleeding because of your stupid tongue, Herald!”

“You barely cried at your mother’s remembrance last week,” Herald sneered. “But now? Tears—for a vampire.”

The words cut me deeper than claws. Everything I did, every mistake, always circled back to my mother’s death. Couldn’t anyone see that it hurt me too? That I bled in silence?

I ran to my room and slammed the door, collapsing against the wall as sobs tore through me. Everyone treated me like I was broken, selfish, spoiled. But none of them understood.

“I hate it here,” I whispered into the silence.

Another day. Another morning. Another reminder that no matter what I did, I’d always be wrong.

When I stepped into the dining room, Father sat stiff at the table, stabbing at his food like it was an enemy to conquer. His silk-dark hair veiled his face, but the weight of his silence pressed against me.

“Good morning, Dad,” I whispered. No response.

“I’m sorry about yesterday,” I tried again, voice small.

He lifted his gaze at last, his stare sharp enough to cut. “Sorry? About what, Hazel? About sneaking out and nearly getting yourself killed? Or about worrying over a vampire? Or perhaps you’re sorry for betraying your mother’s grave with the words you spoke?”

“Dad, please!” My palms slammed the table. I just wanted him to understand, to listen—but all roads led back to Mother.

“I thought time would change you,” he said coldly. “But you refuse to change.” His glare burned.

“Maybe you just need to understand me,” I whispered through tears. “To see things from my side.”

“I’ve had enough, Hazel.” His voice was suddenly calm, too calm. “You’re getting married.”

The words landed like a blade to the chest. My breath caught, the room spinning around me.

Wait—what?