Our Surprise Mate

**~Hazel~**

Eden still hasn't released my hand. Her touch is so rare that I store this moment in my mind and label it 'fragile'. As we walk hand-in-hand, my panicking heart flutters in my chest. I can't lose her today, and I won't stay back if she needs my help. That isn't my character.

We come to a stop when we hear cautious footsteps behind us. When we turn around, we see me in my lycan form. I remember how I felt that day- determined, annoyed by the bugs, and scalding myself for not bringing clothes. I remove my t-shirt because I have a camisole underneath it and give Eden a small smile before addressing my past self.

"Please shift and put this on. We don't have much time, and there are things you need to know." I sense the hesitation, but she shifts into her human form. Confusion takes over her face, as I knew it would, so I continue as she slips on the t- shirt.

"I am you from a couple of months down the road. I won't have time to tell you everything, but the ultimate goal is to stop Eden from changing you into a hybrid. Past Eden- the one you came here to meet- is full of anger and grief, but the Eden I have with me now is my best friend. She will be handling her past self while I keep you safe today." Suddenly, past Eden flashes past us, just like I remember so vividly. I look around, but she's out of sight.

"I'm going after her. Stay here, Hazel. Keep yourself safe, please." Her eyes shine with worry. She knows I more than likely won't listen to her if she needs my help.

"Don't worry about me. Go, we're running out of time." She nods, then plants a soft kiss on my cheek. She is gone by the time I blink. The slightest tingle lingers where her lips made contact. It shocks me to my core, conflicting emotions raging through my heart and mind. The fates chose this exact moment to give me a glimpse of what our bond could have been in another life. The first sign of proof is that Eden never lied about the bond she feels when we touch, and it nearly brings me to my knees. It must be a sign. Maybe Eden and I could still have more, and it won't damage what I have with Tae and Val. I can't afford to think too deeply about it right now, so I do my best to suppress it.

"So, you're me from the future?" The voice of my past self brings me back to reality. "And you're a hybrid, so that means Eden changed you on this day?"

"Yes. It's a very long story, but Eden has made up for everything she's done. Please, take my word for it and trust that she will take care of this. Time manipulation is very dangerous, especially for Eden. Neither of the Edens can die today because death is permanent and cannot be tampered with. She would be gone forever. She's risking her life to turn me back to normal so that I can return to Val and Tae." I try to give her the information she needs, but I know how I can be.

"I came into these woods to simply negotiate with Eden. If what you're saying is true and she's making things right, then I'll trust you. What do we do to help her?" I'm relieved by her willingness to keep Eden safe. "We start by going unnoticed. Follow me."

**~Eden~**

I knew I would be a little bit of a bitch when I confronted myself, but holy shit. I never expected things to get physical right off the bat.

"Who sent you, imposter!?" I block yet another attempted blow of energy to the chest.

"I am you! If you kill me, we both die here! You're going to make a big mistake with Hazel. Please, give me a chance to explain." Was I seriously this bad?

"Who sent you?" She has so much anger radiating off her, and it takes me back to that day. Remembering how damaged my heart was. The moment I touched Hazel for the first time, I realized just how much I needed her. She keeps talking about a second chance mate, but I can't keep living for a person that might not exist. Of course, I could find a chosen mate instead since the borders are opening soon, but that's if I could find someone. No one is going to want a Tribrid. Especially not a tired Tribrid who is so in love with a taken woman, even if it's because of a stupid bond. I've been lonely for so long, just waiting on Hazel. I'm exhausted with no more fight left in me. I've walked this planet long enough, and I know Hazel is in good hands with Val and Tae. I'll only hold her back if I stick around.

"Rebeka helped me manipulate time, so I could talk you out of taking Hazel to the cabin. You know she's supposed to have children, Eden. Don't take that away from her. She'll love you if you go about this another way. She's reasonable, I promise." I had an entire speech prepared, but my nerves are going crazy. Now isn't the time to lose focus, no matter what Rebeka says.

"Fine, but I want to see her." There's no way that was enough to convince her. I know myself too well.

"No. Be content knowing Hazel loves you, and she's willing to make things work with you in the future if you don't take her from Tae and Val. I know it hurts because I remember the pain like it was yesterday, but don't let it consume you. You'll regret it. Trust me." I try to keep my focus on past Eden, but I can sense Hazel approaching from afar. There is no mistaking her sweet scent, which I know past Eden can smell.

"No? You must be an imposter if you think you can stop me from doing what I came here to do. Hazel belongs to me, and she was always meant to be mine. I'll make sure she has everything she needs, including children, but the visions have proven to be inaccurate. I wouldn't get in my way if I were you." Past Eden smirks, surely catching Hazel's scent with the gust of wind. That's when she runs full speed in Hazel's direction. Thankfully, I expected it and smashed her into a tree before she could reach past Hazel. She's so full of rage that her moves are sloppy, and I've been able to dodge most of the blows. I'm trying to do less fighting and more restraining, but she's making it nearly impossible. Thankfully, I know myself, and past Eden is still in denial that I am her, so she isn't doing great at predicting my next move. It's only a matter of time before she catches on, though. I cannot let her touch Hazel at all because she could teleport her to a different location, and there's no telling how long it would take to track them down.

"I told you to stay back, Haze! Run as far as you can, and don't look back. Please listen this time." Past Eden catches me while distracted, and suddenly, the five-minute alarm sounds. Either I convince past Eden to change her mind in the next five minutes, or I'll have no choice but to take her out. Of course, Hazel refuses to listen.

"I won't leave you, Eden! Time is running out, so stop fighting! She might listen to me if you let me talk to her." I keep my grip tight around past Eden's waist and ignore her nails digging into my flesh.

"Let's talk then. How about we go somewhere else, just the two of us?" I can't help but huff at past Eden's audacity. As if I would ever let either Hazels go with her alone.

"I won't let you change her. Neither of them will go anywhere near you. We need you to understand how important this is, Eden." We have about two minutes left. I take a deep breath because I know what comes next. Fifteen minutes was not enough time to convince past Eden I am not an imposter, de-escalate her rage, and make her understand the severity of the situation. Rebeka knew it wouldn't be enough time, and she warned me. No, not warned. The pain in her eyes made it evident- she was predicting.

*"You're committing suicide, Eden. You're doomed as soon as you go back to face yourself. That will be the day you take your last breath."*

I came home to Hazel that day upset and distant. I brought back some groceries and a few things I knew she loved, so she would assume I just went to the store. Later, I found Hazel lying on the ground and falling apart. I knew, without a doubt, I owed her my life for everything I put her through. I love her with my entire heart and mind. Hazel has always been the center of my universe, keeping me alive when I was tired of living. Every time I was ready to leave this world behind, a new vision of us would visit me in my dreams.

I wish I could make this as painless as possible for Hazel.

"Eden! One minute!" Tears fall from Hazel's beautiful, bright eyes. She looks at Eden in my arms, "Please, Eden. No more fighting."

"Hazel, look away!" I warn.

"I will always fight for what is mine!" Past Eden tries to lunge toward past Hazel, not to cause harm but to simply touch her enough to take her somewhere alone. Both Hazels turn their backs to us, preparing themselves for whatever might happen. Hazel assumes we're just going to run out of time. She believes we will appear back at the cabin the way we came here and figure out another way. Fortunately, Eden failed to reach either of them.

Unfortunately, this is where I keep my promise to Hazel. She will go to her family, get her life back, and be happy. I won't put her life on pause any more than I already have. I'm ready to be free from all the loneliness. I thought this moment would happen fast, but I was wrong. It's as if everyone else was on pause as I plunge my fist into Eden's back and swiftly take out her heart while Hazel is facing the other way.