The pack mansion living room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Hazel stood near the large glass window, arms folded tightly across her chest.
The afternoon light outside was soft.
Normal.
Peaceful.
Inside her chest, something felt heavier.
Annabelle had told her Klara wanted to speak with her.
Hazel did not respond immediately.
But she came anyway.
Because some wounds were better opened quickly.
The door behind her opened slowly.
Hazel did not turn.
She knew who entered.
"Hazel."
Klara's voice was soft.
Careful.
Hazel closed her eyes briefly.
Then said:
"You were spying on me."
It was not a question.
Silence followed.
Hazel finally turned around slowly.
Klara stood a few steps away.
She looked guilty.
Not defensive.
Not angry.
Just guilty.
Hazel studied her face.
They had been friends.
Years.
Shared secrets.
Shared life.
Or so Hazel thought.
"You knew I was being watched," Hazel said quietly.
"Yes."
The answer came immediately.
No hesitation.
Hazel nodded slowly.
"By Ryan."
"Yes."
Another silence.
Hazel's jaw tightened slightly.
"You didn't tell me."
Klara's fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
"I couldn't."
Hazel scoffed softly.
"Couldn't or wouldn't?"
Klara closed her eyes briefly.
"Both."
Hazel laughed quietly.
The sound was not happy.
It was tired.
"How long?"
Klara didn't answer immediately.
Hazel's voice sharpened.
"How long have you been reporting my movements?"
Klara swallowed.
"Since you started traveling outside America."
The words hit quietly.
Slowly.
Deeply.
Hazel felt something inside her chest break slightly.
Not dramatically.
Not loudly.
Just… quietly.
Like cracked glass.
"You were my friend," Hazel said softly.
Klara's eyes filled slightly.
"I still am."
Hazel shook her head slowly.
"No."
Silence again.
The air in the room felt heavy.
Klara spoke quietly.
"I didn't tell you because you would have run."
Hazel's eyes flashed.
"You were right."
Klara nodded once.
"I know."
Hazel turned slightly away.
Her voice was very low.
"Did Ryan order it?"
"No."
Hazel frowned.
"Then who?"
Klara hesitated.
Then said:
"Liam told me to monitor you."
Hazel closed her eyes briefly.
Of course.
Pack security.
Mate loyalty.
Political protection.
All of it.
But it still hurt.
Klara continued quietly.
"I was afraid you would die if hunters found you first."
Hazel spoke without turning around.
"So betrayal was protection."
Silence.
Then Klara said softly:
"Sometimes."
Hazel's shoulders tightened.
"You should have told me."
"I wanted to."
"But you didn't."
"Yes."
Another long silence.
Outside, the wind moved across the modern pack territory.
Cars passed quietly below.
People lived their lives.
Inside, two friends stood breaking apart slowly.
Klara spoke again.
"I am Liam's mate."
"I know."
Hazel's voice was emotionless.
Klara continued.
"Pack loyalty is not simple."
Hazel nodded once.
"I understand that now."
Silence.
Then Klara said quietly:
"I am sorry."
Hazel didn't respond immediately.
Then said:
"I don't hate you."
Klara's eyes filled slightly.
"But I don't trust you anymore."
The words were soft.
But final.
Klara lowered her head slightly.
"I understand."
Hazel walked past her slowly.
When she reached the door, she stopped.
Without turning around, she said:
"If you are spying on me again…"
Her voice was very cold.
"Make sure I never find out."
Klara did not answer.
Hazel left the room.
Outside the mansion, Ryan stood near the balcony.
Watching.
Always watching.
Hazel walked past him without speaking.
The distance between them remained.
But now…
It felt heavier.