Chapter 121 121

Chapter 121 121
Samuel

After dropping Rose off, I make my way to my friend's house. Surely, she’ll be able to give me the advice I need. Maybe it'll just be the usual "follow your heart" or "trust your gut," but she and her mate have hated Peter for years. I can’t blame either of them.

I knock on the door, and a young girl answers. "Hello, Ebony," I say to her. She’s growing up to be a lovely young lady, though she’s still as shy as ever.

Ebony waves shyly. "H-hello... Mom! It’s Sammy!"I grimace at that old nickname. She hangs around Skylar too much—he got it from his mother, who still calls me that like I’m some sort of child.

As Zoey walks downstairs, drying her hair, she tilts her head. "Hello there. I assume you need to speak with Hazel? She’s in the kitchen right now. I’m hopeless in there—everything turns into burned mush." She shrugs and walks over to Ebony.

I nod. "Yes, she was always the one to cook all the meals for us back in the day," I murmur as I head to the kitchen. If I hadn’t already eaten, I’d ask to stay for breakfast—but alas, that’s not in the cards.

Back when Hazel was my chosen mate, she did everything to keep me happy. Deep down, I knew how she felt about me, but I chose to ignore it. I couldn’t let go of my lingering feelings for Peter, which always left me drowning in guilt. It wasn’t fair to Hazel. At least now, I don’t have to worry—she has her own mate.

Hazel looks up and smiles. "Oh, hi there, Samuel. What’s up?" She looks back down as she flips some sausage. "You’ve got quite the serious look on your face."

I blink and rub the back of my neck sheepishly. "Do I? That’s embarrassing... Um, I need some advice on something personal, and I can’t think of anyone better to ask than you." I flash Hazel a grin as she looks at me.

Hazel raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Can I assume it’s about a certain someone? A Beta, perhaps?"My face heats up, and she notices. She sighs softly and nods. "Of course. Let me finish up, and we can go for a walk. Zoey doesn’t like hearing about him."

I grimace and nod. "Yes, of course. Sounds like a plan. Thank you, Hazel."After everything Peter put Zoey through after she lost her memories, it’s no surprise she hates everything about him. I don’t blame her either.

I step outside and lean against the house, collecting my thoughts. These feelings never left me—not even after Peter hurt me. Our relationship was built on so many misunderstandings.

If we had talked instead of assuming the worst about each other, would we be in a better place? Would we be happily mated, raising Rose together?

I close my eyes and sigh, pushing the thoughts away. That’s all in the past, with no way to change it now. All I can do is look toward the future... maybe a future together?That thought warms me to my core.

"There you are!" Hazel’s voice jolts me back to the present. She walks over. "Oh, sorry. Are you ready to go?" she asks, tilting her head.

I nod, and we start our walk into the woods. Hazel seems to know, or just feels, that it needs to be just the two of us—away from curious glances and listening ears. I appreciate that. She’s always known me well.

As we get deeper into the woods and the scent of other packmates fades, Hazel speaks."So, what’s on your mind? Have you finally decided to give Peter another chance?"She doesn’t sound surprised in the slightest.

I sigh and nod. "Yes... I want to try and see if it can work between us. I mean—no, I want it to work."I rub the back of my neck—it’s warm to the touch, just like my face."Those feelings never went away. Not even a little."

Hazel laughs softly and shakes her head. "Tell me something I don’t know." She pats my shoulder. "Just take things slow. Date. Be cute. Don’t rush into everything at once."

I blush and clear my throat. "I never planned to jump into it right away," I mutter, looking forward. "I’m just... not good at relationships. You’re the only one I know who doesn’t let emotions cloud your judgment—unlike Daisy."

Hazel sighs. "Daisy means well, but she’s too protective. I was the same at first—especially where Rose was concerned—but I also gave him the benefit of the doubt." She smiles softly. "I also trust that you know what you're doing. You’re a grown man, after all."

I nod. "Daisy still sees me as her little Sammy, instead of who I am now. She got worse when she became a mother again… and even more so after I had Rose."I scowl slightly. "I’m not a child. I haven’t been for a long time."

I wish Daisy could understand that. But I never say it out loud—I don’t want to hurt her or make her defensive. She needs to focus on her own life and her pups, not micromanage mine.

"I can’t tell you what to do either way, Samuel," Hazel says with a warm smile. "Listen to and follow your heart. If you want to be with your mate, then do it. Only you have the power to take back your rejection. It’s your choice." She pokes my chest. "Don’t let anyone take that away from you."

I swallow hard and nod. "Yeah… Thank you, Hazel. I appreciate your support. And..." I trail off before quietly adding, "I’m sorry I couldn’t love you the way you did back then." The guilt creeps into my voice.

Hazel smiles and shrugs. "That’s not your fault. I admired you because you saved me from a life with that rogue. I knew deep down it wasn’t going to happen, no matter how much I wished it would."She flashes me a grin. "Besides... Zoey is more than enough for me now."

I crack a small smile. "I’m sure she is. She wipes the floor with everyone during battle training."Zoey’s become a powerful she-wolf in her own right, and I couldn’t be happier for her. She and Hazel are perfect together.

Hazel laughs and nods. "Of course, she can never beat me. She doesn’t have the heart to land even the smallest scratch." She tilts her head. "Did I give you the advice you needed?"

I clench my fists and nod, taking a deep breath. "Yes... you did. Thank you, Hazel. Wish me luck?"I grin sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. The butterflies in my stomach are starting to make me feel sick.

Hazel giggles softly. "Break a leg, Samuel. You’ll do great—so don’t be nervous."She smiles as we walk back to her house.I don’t say it aloud, but I think, easier said than done.Victor stirs in my mind, and I know he agrees with me too.