Chapter 7
look up and meet his eyes.
We’re close. I can smell pine on him. My heart races.
Thanks,” I say quietly.
He doesn’t let go. Looks down at me, eyes warm. “Hazel, I—”
Ethan! Hazel!”
The sheriff runs over, face pale. “The shelter-someone broke in!”
Finn’s still inside!” My stomach drops.
We sprint to the parking lot. If Bloodfang touched Finn-
he shelter door’s wide open. Total chaos. Chairs flipped, medicine everywhere. And blood. So much blood.
Finn!” I shout.
ilence.
We walk in carefully. Then I see Griffin.
On the floor. Covered in blood. Deep chest wound, still bleeding.
Griffin!” I rush over.
forget I hate him. Just one thought-don’t die.
Finn… the kids?” My voice shakes.
Basement… safe…” Griffin coughs blood. “Stopped them… but they’ll… come back…”
than’s calling for help. “Too much blood loss.”
No hospital.” Griffin struggles. “Can’t treat… silver.”
he wound’s edges are green. Silver poison.
You can save him.” Ethan says. “Use your ability.”
freeze. Why should I save Griffin?
but looking at his face, something tightens in my chest.
I don’t know if I can.”
I know you hate him.” Ethan’s voice is quiet. “But if he dies, you’ll always wonder-what if?”
fe’s right. Watching Griffin die won’t make anything better.
Okay. I’ll try.”
put my hand on his chest. Close my eyes. Try to find that energy.
Tothing.
Chapter 7
Focus.
The Moon Goddess’s voice fills my head: “Extreme pain and extreme love have equal power.”
My fingertips heat up. Golden light flows from my hand, wrapping his wound.
What-” Ethan steps back, stunned.
She’s healing him!” Finn peeks from the basement. “Hazel’s magic!”
The light gets brighter, I feel Griffin’s wound closing, life returning.
The light fades.
Griffin’s wound is healed. Just faint scars.
He opens his eyes, shocked. “You saved me… why?”
Don’t read into it.” I stand, voice cold. “Just didn’t want a crime scene here.”
but I make a decision.
ime to cut the bond. Get real freedom.
I know why you came.” I look at Griffin. “The bond. As long as it exists, Bloodfang keeps coming. I’m your weakness.”
Griffin nods weakly. “Sorry for dragging you-”
Don’t.” I cut him off. “I’m ending this.”
iriffin’s head snaps up. “What?”
I’m breaking the bond. Completely.”
That’s impossible. Bonds can’t-”
Elder Raven gave me this.” I pull out the charm with broken chain symbols. “The Moon Goddess lets people choose if they’re strong enough.”
Hazel, think about this.” Griffin panics. “Breaking the bond-I’ll never find another mate-”
I’ve thought it through. This is what I wanted from the start. Freedom.”
Griffin closes his eyes, face twisted. “If that’s your choice…”
It is.”
close my eyes, grip the charm, call to the Moon Goddess.
ilver light surrounds me.
Are you certain?” The Goddess asks.
Yes. I want to choose my own path. My own love.”
Your hate runs deep, yet you heal. Rare.”
My power comes from wanting freedom. Healing makes me feel like I’m not fate’s puppet.”
You have strong will, Hazel. You have the right to choose.”
Lomething yanks my chest. The connection with Griffin-ripped apart.
Chapter 7
Pain makes me shake. But I bite down.
The light fades.
My chest feels hollow. Then-lightness. Complete freedom.
Griffin’s on his knees, gasping.
“The bond… it’s gone…” He looks up, eyes full of pain. “Do you really hate me this much?”
“I don’t hate you, Griffin. I chose myself.”
Ethan walks to my side. Just stands there. Support.
Griffin looks at us. Finally gets it.
‘You chase him.”
‘I chose happiness. Someone who respects me.”
Griffin closes his eyes. “I understand.”
He stands slowly. “I’ll leave town. Won’t bother you.”
“Thank you.”
At the door, he pauses.
This isn’t the ending I wanted. But I’m glad I met you, Hazel. You taught me what real love means.” His voice carries regret.
‘Be happy.”
don’t respond.
His silhouette disappears. The hate in my heart fades with him.
Ethan takes my hand. “You okay?”
‘Never better.”
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