Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers

Chapter 2: Beta Caspian

Her eyes were wide like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she stepped forward, slow and calculating, scanning the room. Then she locked eyes with me bleeding, broken, barely standing.

"No..." she whispered, voice trembling. "No, it can’t be..."

And then the scream tore from her throat.

"WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!"

Father instantly rushed to her side, that fake calm mask plastered on his face.

"Darling, it’s fine," he said, touching her arms as if that would soothe her wrath. "It’s just hair. It’ll grow back"

"I SAID WHO DID THIS!" she roared, eyes burning.

Lilian didn’t hesitate.

She pointed directly at me, where I lay crumpled on the floor with Ariel wrapped protectively around my body.

Stepmother’s face twisted. "The ruin of the litter? The bastard did this to mychild?"

Her heels clicked again as she stalked toward me, venom in her eyes.

"You.."

But Ariel jumped up and blocked her path. "Mum, please! She’s weak—she needs the healer"

"She needs death!" Stepmother shrieked. "That’s what she needs!"

She turned on Father like a wild flame. "Marcus! How could you let this happen?! How can she be the Moon Chosen with her hair like that?!" She gestured dramatically toward Natasha, who—of course—took that cue to ramp up her performance.

"She ruined me!" Natasha wailed. "Cayden and his brother will never love me now! How can I be Luna with my hair butchered like this?! Let’s kill her!"

"YES!" Sophia squealed, clapping like it was a party game.

Father swallowed hard, eyes on me. I saw the way he looked at me—like I wasn’t even human. Like I wasn’t his blood. NovelFire

"No," he said finally. "We can’t kill her. She’s part of the pack, technically. They’ll question us."

Relief almost hit me until he spoke again.

"But she’ll definitely be punished." His eyes narrowed. "Bring me the whips."

"NO!" Ariel screamed.

a giddy child and returned in seconds, dragging in

strands. The one

"Strip," Father commanded.

up slowly. My whole body trembled. Ariel clung to me, sobbing, but I gently took her hand and smiled

fine," I

the few old dresses I’d been allowed to keep.

"Come forward," Father ordered.

took one step. Closed my

Braced for the burn.

CRASH!

by the rush of footsteps. A maid skidded into the room,

panted. "Beta Caspian is

Caspian is here.

dangerous, as everyone held eye contact—no

was the first

put on that gown I got you last spring!" she snapped, and Lilian rushed

Natasha grabbed a scarf and quickly wrapped it

dear," Father said, suddenly composed. "Go to your room. No

and darted

turned to me. Fury

you

better," Selene added, voice

they

to the floor. Ariel rushed over and

family—they’re horrible to you.

her hands gently.

Ariel, with her golden hair and piercing blue eyes eyes that mirrored the same bloodline as the ones who hurt me shook

It’s not fine. You always say that, but it’s not." Her

her cheeks and wiped away her tears. "Don’t ever stand up for me

Her lips trembled. "Why?"

I don’t want you to end up like me. Don’t turn

"But Hazel..."

Really." I forced a smile. "Go before your mother or father

"Not until I treat your injuries

ran out, then returned

she said gently. "You can’t heal

the ointment across my forehead. Her touch was soft, careful, almost reverent. When she finished,

Then she left.