Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers

Chapter 22: Fallen bride

~Hazel’s POV~

I stood frozen before the grand ceremonial hall, my fingers trembling against the soft fabric of my dress. The towering door covered everyone from my sight. My breath caught in my throat as Selene, her pale fingers cold on my arm, gently pushed one door open with a slow creak.

A wave of murmured voices faded into hushed silence as every pair of eyes in the hall turned to us.

I could feel Father’s steady presence behind me, a wall of pride and expectation. Selene remained at his side, her gaze sharp as glass. Ariel moved closer to me, her arm brushing mine, offering a sliver of comfort. I took a single step forward. The soft click of my heels against the polished marble echoed through the tense air.

Ariel walked at my side, while Natasha followed just behind us, her posture arrogant and head held high. Sophia and Lilian flanked her, graceful as shadows.

I looked up at the aisle and saw the two brothers who had been waiting for me.

Caspian.

Cayden.

One smiled. One frowned.

Caspian’s eyes glowed the moment they met mine. I had always wondered how the infamous mating bond truly felt, how it drew two souls together. Now, I didn’t have to wonder anymore the warmth that bloomed in my chest was undeniable. We hadn’t spent much time together, hadn’t spoken of love or life or dreams. Yet, the bond between us is something I’ll never get used to.

Then there was Cayden.

A storm. A wildfire. A shadow that haunted my life.

He reminded me of the hell I had endured, of the nights spent trembling and the days swallowed by fear. Yet... that same fire burning in his eyes was mirrored deep inside me, no matter how I tried to smother it.

A single breath.

I stepped onto the aisle.

Caspian reached out, his palm open, steady, inviting. Cayden mirrored the gesture beside him — but not for me. Natasha’s eyes gleamed with triumph as she slid her hand into his. He handed her a bouquet of crimson roses, his jaw clenched but his posture relaxed. The sight burned through me like acid.

clawed at

to his lips, pressing a warm kiss to my skin. A soft shiver raced through me, igniting a slow heat bloom in my stomach. I curtsied,

look ravishing," he

of something dark in Cayden’s eyes across the aisle

Her silver hair cascaded down her shoulders, eyes

for now. This is the time for

face twisted, but she complied with a huff, stepping back with

Gina turned to me.

warm and sure; Cayden’s was cold

voice steady despite the

Gilbert, vow to be your wife, to uphold my duties as your partner, to rule beside you and

words settled in my heart like a fragile

voice

of your dreams, to rule by your side, to fill your life with

nodded solemnly. "So shall it be,

a wave of chills swept through me, deep and strange. My body trembled. But there was no time to linger —

grew sharper. My breath caught. His gaze pinned

but suddenly my voice faltered. My stomach twisted, my head

this," I whispered

protect you and be the mate of

Cayden lifted his hand in a sharp wave. "That’s enough. I don’t do vows. Let’s get this over with," he said,

stood frozen,

for me?" Natasha called sweetly from

smiled, a cruel twist of his lips. My heart plummeted. He moved away from me without hesitation, standing before

to be your legal protector and ensure you bear my children — the future heirs

I had been — expecting even a sliver of respect from him. After that night, when he had marked me, when his eyes had burned with hunger, when he had touched me

had all been