Chapter 4: I’m Not Good at Following Rules
The man in front of her was the same one Hazel had encountered in the forest, her new Alpha.
“You’re late,” he said, his voice husky, cold, and devoid of emotion, except for impatience.
Hazel knew she had walked into a trap. He was robust and looked like trouble. Combined with his past accomplishments, Hazel felt that her days were about to get much tougher.
“I overslept,” Hazel’s expression appeared somewhat guilty, and it was clear she didn’t mean to be late.
“This is the Iron Star Wolf Pack. Everyone here follows the rules,” Alpha Cyril’s expression was indifferent as he narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the young girl before him. “You should too.”
“I’m not good at following rules,” Hazel replied, looking up at Cyril, who seemed like a giant. Hazel couldn’t help herself from provoking him.
Hazel had always been a free spirit, disliking constraints. She didn’t know how she dared to utter such a challenge to a powerful Alpha like Cyril.
“Hazel, you’re a real troublemaker,” Rita rolled her eyes, knowing Hazel was not one to easily follow orders.
“That’s how I’ve always been,” Hazel didn’t like feeling bound.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
Cyril looked at Hazel with a dark expression. He had already seen her in the forest earlier in the afternoon and she was indeed fiery, but now she seemed overly arrogant.
“Damn it, do you even know what you’re doing?” Rita was practically screaming inside Hazel’s mind. She was infuriated by this woman.
Rita couldn’t defy her Alpha, but Hazel repeatedly challenged the authority and boundaries of Alpha Cyril.
Seeing Cyril’s lips twitch, Hazel guessed no one ever spoke to him that way.
“I hope you’ll learn to follow the rules starting today. It’s a requirement as one of The Iron Star Pack’s members. Do you understand?” Cyril’s eyes sparked, his voice delivered icy and firm.
Hazel wished she had given him a punch if his physique wasn’t so imposing. But she could tell that he was very dissatisfied with her.
“Let’s hope so,” Hazel felt she had been out of her mind today. She could see Cyril’s tightly pursed lips, clearly showing his displeasure.
Hazel felt it would be best if he kicked her out of The Iron Star Pack. That way, she could return to the orchard with her grandmother and continue her carefree life.
“Are you Theo’s sister? What’s your name?” Cyril’s face showed no emotion.
“Hazel. So, Alpha, what should I register?” Hazel smiled at him, enjoying the thrill of provoking Alpha.
“Come inside with me,” Cyril grabbed Hazel’s arm, as if it took no effort at all to lift her completely.
Hazel studied his profile, contemplating whether Gerard’s strength was greater or Alpha Cyril’s power was more formidable.
Cyril placed a laptop in front of Hazel, signaling her to enter some personal information.
Hazel’s fingers tapped on the desk a few times, and then she shrugged. After completing the entry, she moved the laptop towards Cyril. He remained unmoving, staring at her as if she were his prey about to be caught.
“After registration, you’ll officially become a member of The Iron Star Pack,” Cyril looked at the information on the computer, his brow furrowed.
He gazed at the part that read, “Defeat Alpha Cyril” in the wishes category, sinking into thought. This woman was bold; she was likely the first woman who dared to say such a thing.
Hazel didn’t care about any of this. Being a formal member, what did it matter? Once she returned to her grandmother’s cabin, all this member stuff would be meaningless. Alpha Cyril couldn’t possibly bring her back from afar.
“Can I go now?” Hazel was feeling restless; she didn’t want to stay any longer.
“You must stay here until 10 o’clock,” Cyril’s voice was rough, and his orders were impossible to resist.
Even if Hazel didn’t mind staying, Cyril was a person who made her feel somewhat fearful. That fear was an instinctual reaction, something she couldn’t resist. She couldn’t defy an Alpha, but there was always a part of her that wanted to rebel against orders.
“What?” Hazel jumped from her chair, her eyebrows furrowed. What did he mean?
“You have to learn the rules of our Pack and acquire the corresponding skills to better assist our Pack’s operation. This is your basic duty as a member of The Iron Star Pack. In other words, The Iron Star Pack doesn’t need useless individuals.” When Cyril mentioned uselessness, his gaze wandered over Hazel.
Hazel glared at him, feeling deeply insulted, but she now understood. The reason The Iron Star Pack was undefeated was that Alpha Cyril and his people followed strict rules and had great unity. Compared to Kane, Cyril was indeed a great Alpha.
No, Kane had no chance against Cyril!
“So?” Hazel inquired.
“You can choose what you want to do. Whether you want to cultivate crops to maintain our food supply or choose to protect the wolf clan, learn defensive skills and attack formations…” Before Cyril could finish his sentence, Hazel interjected, “I’d, of course, choose to protect the Pack.”
Hazel looked at Cyril. Learning defensive skills? She and Gerard had learned so little? Hazel wasn’t worried about this. She had no intention of cultivating crops.
“Good girl, then let’s go to the training ground now,” Cyril’s eyes sparkled with an interesting light.
Training ground? What did that mean?
Hazel furrowed her brow, seemingly unable to comprehend Cyril’s words.
“Now? Go to the training ground now?” Hazel stood up from her chair, feeling like she’d been fooled.
She had only said she’d learn the necessary defensive skills, but she had no intention of participating in that so-called group training. Hazel had never been one to enjoy group activities.
Cyril nodded, “Do you think you can learn defensive skills without participating in any training?”
Hazel saw the look in Cyril’s eyes and felt a tinge of fear, but her mouth could still utter sharp words.
“I think I can,” Hazel didn’t want to go to the training ground.
She felt that Cyril was trying to get back at her, getting back at her for saying she would defeat him!
“I think it’s best if you come with me,” Cyril’s voice was low, as cold as ice.
Hazel looked at Cyril’s back, sighed, and followed him toward the training ground.
When Hazel arrived at the training ground, she saw many people engaged in combat. They were robust, taller than ordinary werewolves, with sweat on their foreheads, and covered in various-sized wounds. But looking at their expressions, it seemed like they felt no pain.
Hazel once again had her perceptions of The Iron Star Pack refreshed.
Cyril’s people were ferocious beasts just like him, a realization that was both frightening and shocking.
Hazel saw Theo helping the other Pack members with their training. He seemed to be a competent Beta, and Hazel never doubted her brother’s abilities. The stares from the others made Hazel feel uneasy, but she wouldn’t let fear show on her face. In times like these, she had to stand her ground.
Hazel sat down on the grass, pretending to look around aimlessly. Would she be training here from now on? Would she have to face Alpha Cyril day and night?
“Allow me to introduce a new member, Hazel,” Cyril’s voice boomed.
Everyone on the training ground was drawn to Cyril’s voice, and they examined Hazel with contemptuous glances, as if mocking her small stature. Hazel felt irritated.
“Since she arrived late tonight, she won’t be able to find a suitable partner, and there’s no time for her to undergo the necessary training,” Cyril’s voice enveloped everyone.
Hazel heard Cyril’s words and her eyes sparkled with delight. Maybe she wouldn’t have to stay for training tonight and could return home early.
But in the next moment, Hazel felt like Cyril had poured cold water over her. She couldn’t accept this outcome.
“Tomorrow during the training session, I will be Hazel’s partner,” Cyril’s words left Hazel frozen in place, her face full of disbelief.
Theo’s eyes also showed a hint of shock. She didn’t know what Hazel had done to offend Alpha.
Before Hazel could speak, Cyril ordered everyone to disperse because the training time had ended.
“Be here tomorrow at 8 AM sharp,” Cyril approached Hazel, speaking to her.
As people filed past Hazel, she remained motionless, seemingly unable to grasp what had just happened.
“I object to your proposal,” Hazel said as she followed Cyril into the changing room.
Cyril walked into the changing room with a smile still on his lips.
“Hazel, remember one thing. I am your Alpha,” Cyril held Hazel’s chin, thoughtfully looking into her eyes. “Obeying orders is your only choice.”
Hazel clenched her fists tightly, her face full of defiance. To hell with obeying orders.
“I will never, ever obey your orders,” Hazel said and quickly left the changing room. She wouldn’t follow the rules, let alone obey anyone’s orders, even if he was her new Alpha.
Cyril watched Hazel’s departing figure, his eyes narrowing with excitement. It was as if Hazel’s scent still lingered in the air, and he took a deep breath, sensing something. When Cyril realized something about Hazel, his expression changed slightly.