Chapter 3 The Alpha is Disabled

Everyone spoke of the Alpha's striking handsomeness and formidable physical and mental strength, as well as his commanding presence that had allowed him to dominate the most powerful factions in the werewolf world. It wasn't just about his strength; it was his wisdom, his ability to protect the bloodlines and clans that would have crumbled without him-despite his young age.

But what unsettled Hazel the most when she saw him was that no one mentioned his disability. It was as if they neither saw it nor cared about it. To them, his power and sharp intellect were more than enough to overshadow any physical deficiency.

Hazel stared at him, unable to believe that the legend she had assumed was nothing more than a myth now stood before her. He was real, in all his greatness... and, more importantly, he was her mate.

"You are nothing. Without the bloodline you so proudly cling to, you are nothing."

The Alpha's voice cut through the silence, instantly silencing the murmurs. He sat in his wheelchair, yet his presence was overwhelming. His gaze swept over everyone, sharp and assessing, as they awaited his words.

"Your enemies are many, and those who despise you are even more. Always remain vigilant. If your faction falls, you will be lost-just as many before you were, before I took control. I do not impose anything on you, nor do I want anything from you. All I desire is for my group's name to remain a force to be reckoned with, for the mere mention of werewolves to instill fear in all who hear it. That is your purpose here."

His words were absolute, leaving no room for argument, carrying an authority that demanded attention. He moved his wheelchair forward with deliberate ease, his gaze as sharp as a blade, yet brimming with keen intelligence.

Hazel struggled to focus on his speech. Every time she tried to absorb his words, she found his gaze flicking toward her-brief, fleeting, but enough to unsettle her.

"He knows exactly how to divert attention from his body and make people focus on his eloquence and intellect, doesn't he?"

Dylan's voice startled her; she hadn't even noticed his presence beside her. She nodded in agreement-he was right.

She glanced at Olivia, only to notice that the latter was fiddling with her fingers in uncharacteristic silence.

"What's wrong? Where's your usual enthusiasm?" Hazel asked, her tone laced with mild sarcasm.

Olivia lifted her gaze to meet hers, but the hesitation in her expression sent a wave of unease through Hazel.

"What enthusiasm?" Olivia scoffed, her voice tinged with disdain. "I lost it on a crippled Alpha. I never expected those rumors about his strength to be nothing but an illusion."

Olivia's words hit Hazel like a lightning strike. She stared at her in disbelief, struggling to process what she had just heard. Was this really enough for Olivia to lose her respect for him?

"Do you even hear yourself? You talk as if you weren't the first to defend warriors!" Hazel's voice was low but sharp. "He lacks nothing, yet you say your enthusiasm is gone? You weren't like this, Olivia. What happened to you?"

Olivia's expression hardened as she shot back, "And you weren't like this either! Or are you trying to act like a saint all the time, defending everyone as if you never make mistakes? Don't play that role with me, Hazel!"

Her voice rose, drawing the attention of the students training nearby. The atmosphere shifted as eyes turned toward them, waiting for the confrontation to unfold.

"Why are you defending him?" Olivia challenged, her gaze piercing through Hazel as if trying to uncover a hidden truth.

Hazel took an involuntary step back, caught off guard, unable to respond immediately. Olivia's words felt like a slap, but the truth ran deeper than that.

"You're right..." Hazel finally admitted, her eyes dropping to the ground as she clenched her teeth. "Maybe... maybe because I want to be the saint here."

She threw the words out as if they were a painful confession, then turned away, walking toward a distant bench. Sitting down, she buried her face in her hands, trying to steady her racing heartbeat.

She hated arguing with Olivia, but their fights had been getting worse lately. Olivia had always been reckless, acting without thinking, but this time, Hazel didn't know how to handle her.

Why had she defended the Alpha so fiercely?

He wasn't just an Alpha-he was her mate. This bond was new to her, yet at the same time... it felt natural. Didn't it?

Lifting her gaze, she searched for him and found him observing two girls sparring, offering them feedback on their attack and defense techniques.

Then, suddenly, he looked at her.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment-neither showing any emotion. But then, she saw it.

A small smile.

Not mocking, not cold.

Genuine.

He smiled at her.

"So, Hazel?"

Lucas's voice cut through her focus. He had appeared suddenly, confirming her name as if he had overheard the earlier argument. Perhaps Alpha Ethan had heard it too. Hazel gave him a small nod and a faint smile. He took a seat beside her and continued speaking.

"Well, why aren't you training, Hazel? You know we don't have time to waste, and the Alpha is waiting to see you fight one of the girls."

Hazel's heart clenched at the mention of the Alpha's name, a wave of tension washing over her. She knew his eyes would be on her the entire time. She was confident in her abilities, but she hadn't expected to be scrutinized as closely as the other two girls-his gaze tracking even the smallest movements.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward with deliberate confidence toward the combat arena. Her opponent was already waiting, standing with an air of provocation. The girl looked physically stronger than Hazel, her confident eyes momentarily shaking Hazel's own resolve. But she quickly pulled herself together, gathering her composure. She stole a glance at Lucas, who walked beside her, offering silent support through a calm, reassuring smile.

Her attention returned to the girl in the arena, who was cracking her knuckles and rolling her neck in preparation. Hazel felt the tension coiling inside her, but she advanced steadily, closing the distance just as her opponent did.

The girl wasted no time. She lunged at Hazel, who barely had a moment to react before a swift, powerful kick sent her crashing to the ground. Hazel gasped as the full weight of her opponent pinned her down, her breath turning shallow. She struggled to break free, but the girl's grip was relentless.

Her gaze flicked toward the Alpha. His jaw was clenched, his fists tight, his expression unreadable. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, but the cold intensity of his stare sent a shiver through her. Forcing herself to refocus, she attempted to throw the girl off balance. Gathering her strength, she pushed hard, managing to shove her opponent away and quickly scramble to her feet-despite the sharp pain shooting through her leg.

They exchanged blows, but the girl was stronger and faster. Hazel had no choice but to rely on agility, dodging as much as she could and countering with sudden, calculated strikes. One of her swift punches landed, but it wasn't enough.

Her opponent retaliated with a brutal hit to Hazel's jaw, sending her crashing back to the ground. Pain exploded through her skull, and she tasted blood seeping into her mouth. Both of them were bleeding, but Hazel was the one on the ground, struggling to rise.

For a fleeting moment, the thought of surrender crept in. Then, her gaze lifted to the Alpha. He was still seated, watching in silence, as if waiting for something. As if the pain she was enduring didn't matter.

"Is he waiting for me to suffer more?" Hazel thought, trying to will herself up, but her body was reaching its limit.

Yet, she refused to give in. She focused on her opponent-strong, but slow enough to be vulnerable to consecutive strikes. Seizing the opportunity, Hazel launched a flurry of attacks, determined to wear the girl down. It worked for a while, but then-another devastating blow struck her.

Her body crumpled, unable to rise again. Blood mixed with saliva, the metallic taste coating her tongue. Her eyelids grew heavy, threatening to shut.

The last thing she saw was the Alpha. He turned away, his chair scraping against the floor as he rose and exited the training hall-leaving her lying there on the ground.

She hadn't wanted him to see her this weak. But she hadn't realized that standing before him was a struggle in itself.