The Red Moon Pack residential district was quiet in the afternoon.
Children were playing near the small public garden.
Some were human.
Some were young wolves who had not yet shifted.
Hazel sat on a wooden bench beneath a tall flowering tree.
Nick stood nearby, answering another of her questions about pack social behavior.
"So," Hazel said slowly, "if two pack females dislike each other, do they fight directly?"
Nick shook his head.
"Rarely. Pack females prefer psychological dominance."
Hazel frowned slightly.
"That sounds worse."
Nick smiled faintly.
"Welcome to pack politics."
Footsteps approached slowly.
Hazel turned.
A woman stood nearby.
Middle-aged.
Soft brown eyes.
Long dark hair tied gently behind her shoulder.
Her aura was warm.
Not threatening.
Hazel felt immediately that this woman was different.
The woman smiled softly.
"You must be Hazel."
Hazel nodded cautiously.
"Yes."
The woman placed one hand gently on her chest.
"I am Gloria."
Hazel tilted her head slightly.
"Mila's mother?"
"Yes."
Hazel waited.
Because she had learned something important inside the pack:
Do not trust too quickly.
But Gloria sat beside her slowly, without pressure.
"I wanted to meet you," Gloria said gently.
"Why?" Hazel asked.
Gloria smiled.
"Because I heard you like learning things."
Hazel blinked slightly.
Nick remained quiet behind them.
Gloria continued softly.
"I also heard you are trying very hard to understand our pack."
Hazel nodded.
"I am."
Silence followed.
Gloria's presence felt… safe.
Like a mother sitting beside a tired child.
After a moment, Gloria said quietly:
"You are stronger than you think."
Hazel scoffed slightly.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Gloria smiled.
"Because it is true."
Hazel didn't respond immediately.
Then asked:
"Do you hate me?"
The question was direct.
Honest.
Gloria shook her head.
"No."
Hazel studied her carefully.
"Your daughter does."
Gloria sighed softly.
"Mila is protective of what she believes belongs to the pack."
Hazel nodded once.
"I understand."
Gloria continued gently.
"But I do not see you as an enemy."
Hazel felt something tighten slightly inside her chest.
Because kindness inside political tension was rare.
Very rare.
Gloria added softly:
"You carry loneliness inside your eyes."
Hazel didn't respond.
Because the woman was correct.
Very correct.
Gloria reached slowly and placed a small protective charm bracelet on the bench beside Hazel.
"I made this," she said quietly.
"It helps calm supernatural pressure."
Hazel blinked.
"You are giving this to me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Gloria smiled softly.
"Because I believe the pack will be stronger if you are not afraid."
Silence.
Hazel picked up the bracelet slowly.
It was simple.
Not expensive.
But warm in energy.
"Thank you," Hazel said quietly.
Gloria stood slowly.
Before leaving, she said softly:
"Do not let hatred decide your future here."
Hazel watched her walk away.
Nick spoke quietly beside her.
"Gloria is respected inside the pack."
Hazel nodded.
"She is kind."
"Yes."
Pause.
Then Nick added:
"Mila is afraid of losing Alpha attention."
Hazel didn't respond.
Because she already suspected that.
Across the district—
Mila watched from a balcony window.
Her expression was unreadable.
And somewhere inside the mansion—
Ryan felt Hazel's emotional shift through the bond.
But he did not approach.
Because patience was still his strategy.