Chapter 47

HAZEL

It’s an awful thing, to look at someone’s face and not recognize the person that they are. Whoever Emanuel used to be to me seemed like a lifetime ago, I had no idea who this man was standing in front of me right now.

Nevertheless, I opened the envelope and read the invitation.

Word by word my breaths got caught in my throat and the room started spinning out of control.

‘Alpha Emanuel Jaxon, please join us in celebrating the yearly Hunters Ball hosted in honor of our proud tradition and your victorious efforts in the annual Hunt. As you know from previous years there has never been any interference on our part regarding which chosen mate you decide to bring. However, in rue of recent events, Hazel has asked that you bring your most recent mate, Iliana Lind, as your guest to the palace. This is a non-negotiable term for I am sure that my mate is eager to meet her old friend.

—King Darian Hayes’

It felt like I was underwater and