Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers

Chapter 9: The Human in My Arms

~Caspian’s POV~

Her body was limp in my arms, head resting lightly against my shoulder, but she clung to me like she belonged there. My fingers curled in the fabric of my shirt. Warm breath ghosted over my collarbone. My chest tightened. A hitch, like my heart, didn’t know what to do with the feeling that unfurled in me. It skipped just once and I almost stumbled.

I had never felt that before.

She was unconscious, unaware, and yet my wolf stirred like she had whispered his name. Nizen paced restlessly beneath the surface, humming in quiet agreement. Ours.

Behind me, Cayden’s voice kept grinding against my skull. "You know I didn’t mean to kill him, right?" he said. "He deserved it. Every single thing I did to him."

I didn’t stop walking. Couldn’t. If I did, I’d drop her or turn on him. Maybe both.

Then I lost it. I halted mid-step and turned halfway toward him with a snarl. My arms tightened protectively around her.

"But death?" I hissed, careful not to shake her. "Cayden—death? You killed our brother! We were triplets, for the Moon’s sake. You took one of us."

"He became a rogue," Cayden shot back, voice sharp, eyes dark. "He betrayed us. He betrayed everything we were meant to be."

I clenched my jaw, biting back what I really wanted to say. My fangs itched to break skin, but she was in my arms. I wouldn’t fight with her between us. Couldn’t.

"And you?" I ground out. "Aren’t you betraying the Moon Goddess too? By rejecting your mate?"

His eyes flared, but I didn’t care. "So this is about her, huh?" he spat. "Bringing back Cyrus’s dead memory because of a low-life human you met today? Are you even hearing yourself, brother?"

I didn’t respond. There was no point. I turned away from him, footsteps heavy as I walked on, shielding her with my body.

But it was like the land itself didn’t want her. Because the next moment, we were surrounded.

Growls erupted from the shadows, deep and furious. Wolves—at least six—emerged in full form, eyes locked on the girl in my arms. Lips curled, fangs gleaming beneath the moonlight, breath steaming in the cold night air. Ready to pounce.

just the softest

barked, my voice echoing into the

didn’t move. It didn’t

them stepped forward and growled low. My ears twitched.

voice low, stunned. "He ordered you to bring her back

one—my heart stopped.

into claws. Fangs pushed down over my lips, aching to be buried into

bared. "Because you’re about two seconds away

move not even

mate. And your Alpha’s mate. So if you want to rethink your

of them, larger than the rest, stepped forward and let out

it translated. "We’re not backing off. Beta Caspian, hand her over. You don’t want her blood on your

shift. But I couldn’t. Not here. Not with her clinging to me, still

cracked my neck, and let the change wash through me just enough to make it clear I wasn’t bluffing. "Say

to leap—and then a voice broke through

"Be careful, brother."

Cayden.

The wolves stilled instantly.

wolf barely restrained. He

stopped beside me, eyes flicking to the girl on the

passed through them. Then he

"Leave," he said simply.

did. No hesitation. No second guesses. They vanished into

him. Who wouldn’t fear

stood there for a moment, watching the empty forest, then turned to me. His hand rested on