Marry to Alpha or Vampire?

"Hazel, happy 18th birthday."

When Hazel saw her grandmother coming out of the cabin, holding a cake, she leaped off the swing and rushed to her side, laughing.

"Our little Hazel is growing up." Her grandmother placed the handcrafted fruit cake on a small wooden table. Delicate patterns adorned the cake, and "Happy Birthday, Hazel" was written on it.

Yes, Hazel was about to celebrate her 18th birthday in her grandmother's orchard.

"I've been looking forward to this." Hazel sat beside the wooden table, her face radiant with a smile.

"Me too."

Her grandmother reached out and pinched Hazel's cheek. If Hazel never knew her true identity, it might be a good thing for her to live a peaceful and happy life.

For Hazel, this was an unusual birthday. When a werewolf turns 18, they can establish a connection with their wolf and successfully shift. Hazel couldn't wait to meet her wolf. It was sure to be an exciting experience.

"Grandma, this cake smells amazing." Hazel giggled. Her grandmother's culinary skills were truly incredible.

Her grandmother lit a few candles on the cake she had inserted, saying, "Make a wish."

Hazel nodded upon hearing her grandmother's words, then closed her eyes and started making a wish. She repeated the process she had followed for her past birthdays, but she could guarantee that this year's birthday was the happiest she'd ever had. She wished she could stay with her grandmother forever.

In spring, she could have picnics with her grandmother; in summer, she would go fishing downstream in the creek; in autumn, they could run into the forest to pick wild fruits, and in winter, they would gather by the fireplace, sipping hot tea.

Hazel had experienced a period of great sadness during her growing years. This time last year, she had desperately needed her grandmother to heal her grieving heart. But now, Hazel was gradually letting go of the past.

She had never thought about returning to the town filled with sad memories. She was content with her life now.

"Time to cut the cake." Her grandmother's laughter brought Hazel back to reality, and she picked up the knife on the table to prepare for slicing the cake.

"Cake isn't something you can have that easily." Suddenly, their neighbor, Gerard, appeared and snatched the knife from Hazel's hand. He swiftly hid his body, and Hazel chased after him. Her speed was so unimaginable that her petite frame appeared to conceal immense power.

"Hazel, attack him."

Hazel stood still, ignoring Gerard's actions. Only one question remained in her mind – whose voice was that?

She confirmed it wasn't her grandmother's voice since her grandmother hadn't spoken, and that voice definitely didn't belong to her grandmother.

"It's me, your wolf."

The surprise came too quickly, and Hazel's lips curved into a smile. She had already made her wish and blown out the candles, successfully passing her 18th birthday.

She had expected her wolf to appear later tonight, or maybe tomorrow, or even later. Hazel hadn't imagined she would establish a connection with her wolf right now. Nothing could be more exciting than this.

"Your name," Hazel continued trying to communicate with her wolf.

"Rita, my name is Rita." Hazel's wolf rejoiced in her mind.

"I like this name," Hazel told her wolf. "It just feels a bit strange."

"You'll get used to it," Rita said.

Hazel shrugged. "Maybe it'll take some time."

"Hey, for now, you should get back to the fight. Your opponent already sensed my presence," Rita said.

Hazel looked excitedly at Gerard, whose expression had clearly changed. "Hazel, congratulations."

"Gerard, you better watch out," Hazel giggled, while Rita was cheering and spinning with joy in Hazel's mind.

"You're the one who should be careful," Gerard's beard quivered.

Hazel spoke, "Let me see your power."

Gerard was their neighbor and had a mysterious background. Hazel only knew that he was a powerful werewolf, and her grandmother hoped he would teach Hazel how to protect herself. Hazel had never known the exact relationship between her grandmother and Gerard, but she knew Gerard held her grandmother in high regard.

Hazel's physique was smaller than the average werewolf, but under Gerard's training, she had learned to control her body with ease. Despite her short stature, she was faster than regular werewolves. This was her advantage; it meant that the bulkier werewolves had to be even faster to catch her.

In every previous battle, Hazel had always lost to Gerard. But today, she had established a connection with her wolf. Maybe this would be a lucky day.

Rita was not pleased with Gerard's actions. She wanted to roar, to experience the joy of tearing into something.

"Gerard, are you sure you want to challenge me now?" Hazel chuckled lightly.

Hazel didn't slow down; she grabbed Gerard's collar and dropped with him to the ground. Gerard quickly moved out of Hazel's sight. His movements became unpredictable, while Hazel focused intently, searching for an opportunity.

Gerard didn't let his guard down. He continued to attack Hazel. However, Hazel's speed was extremely fast, making her movements unpredictable. Gerard wanted to keep attacking, but he was getting tired.

"Hazel, now's the time," Rita excitedly exclaimed as if she had found a golden opportunity.

As Gerard let his guard down, Hazel seized the moment to pounce on him. Gerard hadn't protected himself in time, and Hazel jumped on his back, then tightly strangled his neck, exerting pressure on his windpipe.

A couple of seconds later, Hazel released Gerard and hopped down from his back, wearing a victorious smile.

"Hey, well done, I concede," Gerard admiringly looked at Hazel. After all, he had trained this little one.

"Come on, it's my first victory!" Hazel beamed a brilliant smile at Gerard.

When her grandmother came out of the cabin with pies and juice, Hazel smiled at her. Her grandmother simply shook her head lovingly, seemingly accustomed to their antics.

"Grandma, I've connected with my wolf," Hazel immediately shared this with her grandmother, wanting to share every joy with her.

"I've already felt it," her grandmother said with an affectionate smile. "I hope to meet your wolf soon."

"I can't wait to shift," Hazel cut herself a slice of cake and took a bite. She could feel how excited Rita was in her mind.

"We're all looking forward to it," her grandmother kissed Hazel on the cheek, appearing quite proud.

Despite needing some time to adjust, Hazel was still thrilled that this had happened so quickly. She couldn't wait to shift and show everyone what her wolf looked like. Hazel was still immersed in her joy when, the next moment, the phone in the house rang. She hurriedly ran inside to answer it, still wearing a smile.

"Hello?" came a deep voice from the other end, and Hazel recognized it as her brother, Theo.

Theo was a formidable Beta who had taken over their father's role after he was killed. He had assumed the responsibilities and duties and looked out for Hazel meticulously.

Since Hazel had left the small town, they spoke on the phone every week.

"Hazel? Something's happened," Theo's voice came from the other end, sounding much more somber than usual.

Hazel realized something was amiss back home.

"Mom has passed away, Hazel," Theo replied in a hoarse voice.

Hazel stood there, unsure of how to react. Her grandmother entered the room and took the phone from her to listen.

Her grandmother's face grew even heavier, and it was clear she was struggling to digest the news too. After the conversation, she hung up.

"What did Theo say?" Hazel's face turned pale, and the news about her mother only deepened the rift between her and her mother – a pain she never wanted to revisit. But now, Theo had told her that her mother was gone.

"Hazel, we're going back tomorrow, back to your old Pack," her grandmother held Hazel's hand, trying to lend her more strength.

Hazel realized her grandmother said "we." She forced a faint smile. If her grandmother was with her, it wouldn't be too hard to bear.

The next morning, her grandmother loaded some luggage into the car. There was no joy on Hazel's face as she followed her grandmother into the car. In the car, she said her goodbyes to Gerard.

On the way back, Hazel's heart was filled with anxiety. A year had passed, and so much had changed. She wasn't the same Hazel she used to be. Although she wasn't prepared to face everything in the small town, she knew she had to return to the place she had once called home.

"Hazel, are you ready?" her grandmother asked as they locked eyes.

"Perhaps not," Hazel had never thought she'd go back to the small town, as it would bring back memories she'd rather forget.

"Your brother needs us," her grandmother patted Hazel's shoulder. Hazel nodded without saying anything.

She did need to go back and see what had happened in the small town.