Hundred and eight

Hundred and eight
HAZEL STYLES POV

"Wow, you look really beautiful, Hazel," Lena said as I stepped out of the house.

I smiled, rubbing my sweaty palm on the sides of my dress. "Thank you, Lena." My gaze dropped to the off-the-shoulder, beautiful, short black dress I had on. "But it's a bit on the shorter side huh?"

Lena nodded. "I'm actually surprised Riven let you wear this?"

I grinned, rolling my eyes. "He almost didn't. You should have seen him making a fuss about how it was going to make everyone stare at me" I huffed and she laughed

"You couples won't take it easy on us singles, will you?" She tsked, then pouted. "I feel so jealous."

I grabbed her arm, jerking her close. "Don't be. I'm sure you're going to find your prince charming very soon."

"Ugh, please, I am done searching for a prince charming. I'll take a paid vacation instead," she said, and I laughed, then let go of her. "Come on, let's go, or the restaurants are gonna be closed before we get there."

I nodded, my gaze darting to those of Riven's where he stood watching us at the door. Our eyes met and held, his gaze piercing even from the distance.

Despite how calm he looked, I could tell from His rigid stance and clenched jaw that he was raging inside.

Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile to my lips, gave a small wave, and then mouthed the words I love you.

His fierce gaze softened, then he placed his hand over his heart as if he'd been pierced, his gaze dropping to his chest.

When he looked back up at me, the look in his eyes stole the air right out of my lungs, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe as he mouthed the words back to me.

Letting out a rough exhale, I let the unspoken words wrap around me like a warm blanket then grinned at him.

"Let's go, Hazel. You both are being so cringe right now," Lena grumbled, breaking the spell between us. "The restaurant is really going to be closed if we wait any longer!"

"Okay, okay, let's go before you get even more cranky," I said and got into the car.

Lena also got in and then met my gaze. "Put on your seatbelt. If anything happens to you while I am driving, Riven is going to have my head."

"No, he would not! Stop being so dramatic," I said, fastening my seatbelt.

"You say that now, but you and I know the truth!" The car roared to life and Lena blew out a breath, her shoulder relaxing for just a bit before stiffening.

This was it. We were going to be driving straight into the enemy's territory, but for the first time, I wasn't afraid.

I glanced down at the purse in my hand where Riven had dropped a Taser earlier, my gaze hardening.

Fine. I told myself. Let's go kill that bastard.



"So, tell me, when are you two going to have the wedding?"

I forced a smile, trying to sound excited even though my heart was pounding in my chest.

"Well, we haven't decided on a date yet. Riven actually wanted to have it as soon as possible, but I guess he noticed that I wasn't quite ready, so we're going to hold off on the wedding for a bit."

"You don't have to have a big ceremony, you know that, right? You can register first and then do the ceremony later," Lena suggested, her hands flexing on the wheel.

I glanced back at the car trailing behind us, then faced Lena.

"Yeah, you're right," I said, watching as the road rolled by. "But I want a big wedding. Just like Riven, I want the world to know that we belong together," I beamed and Lena faced me, a genuine smile on her face.

"You'll be the prettiest bride ever," she said and I grinned.

"I know, right?" I said, then let out a sigh. "You'll be there by my side looking just as pretty, right?" I asked, touching her wrist.

Her gaze darted to mine, the fear in them hard not to notice. "Of course, Hazel. If I am not the bridesmaid, best believe that wedding is not going to happen," she said, and I laughed, then faced the road.

The ride got quiet. "How much longer are we going to drive?" I asked. "It feels like we've been driving for hours."

"We'll be there soon. Just a few more minutes to go." She said and veered off the road, the sudden turn making me jump a bit.

I gripped my purse tighter, my gaze darting between her and the winding road. "What's up with the sudden turn. Who builds their restaurant in the middle of nowhere?" I asked, and instead of answering, she accelerated.

I was going to say something when I felt an explosion go off behind us. I cowered in my seat, then glanced back, my eyes widening.

"Oh my goodness, I think something happened to the guards, we have to stop!" I got out and when I noticed that she wasn't stopping, I turned to face her. "Lena! Stop the god-damned car!"

Her grip tightened on the wheels. "No, we are not going to be stopping."

My brows furrowed. "What are you talking about," I got out agitatedly, my voice rising. "Stop the car right now Lena!"

Her gaze was set straight ahead. "No!" She said, stepping on the gas, the car tires screeched against the shrubby road.

"What is going on, Lena? Why are you suddenly..."

"Shut up, or I am going to drive off over the fucking hill," she yelled, then she hit the brakes, and the car came screeching to a stop.

Lena panted, her hand clenched so tightly on the wheels that her knuckles bleached white.

"Get out!"

My brows furrowed. "What?"

"I told you to fucking get out," she said, then yanked off her seatbelt. "Don't make me hurt you, Hazel. Take off your seatbelt and get out of the car!"

I pulled the seatbelt off, opened the door, and got out.

I glanced around, the tall trees casting eerie shadows down on me.

Lena stepped out of the car and then came to stand in front of me, her jaw clenched. "Go on," she said, pointing at the narrow path. "Walk!"

"What the hell are you doing? What is the meaning of this?".

She scoffed. "What do you think, Hazel," she said, her eyes blazing red. "What's your gut telling you right now?"

I swallowed, watching her. "Did you lie? About everything?"

She grinned, then leaned close. "Yes, Hazel. Everything was a big trap. Too bad, huh? You and Riven were quick to believe everything I said. Now move!" She yelled, shoving at my shoulder.

I followed the path, the shrubby trees slapping at my legs as we walked.

Then we stopped at a clearing.

"Why are you doing this, Lena?" I got out. "I thought you were my friend!"

"I am, but Raphael is my family and I'm going to do everything to save him, even if it means betraying you." She said, stepping close to me. "You'll be dead before Riven gets here!" She said. Then someone clapped, and both of our gazes jerked in their direction.

"Such a beautiful show. Wow, Lena, I didn't know you had it in you, but you didn't disappoint at all" Ksar said, stepping out of the shadows.

Lena shoved me to the ground and then walked toward him.

"I did what you wanted, where's Raphael? Where's my brother!"

He grinned at her, his head cocking to the side. "He's at the restaurant. You know where that is don't you?" He said, and Lena nodded, glanced at me one last time, and then ran off.

Ksar watched her go, then turned to face me, his smile stretching creepily. "We finally meet, Hazel Styles; too bad, huh, you're going to be dying pretty soon."