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.

at

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

ravishing," he

that rose to my cheeks. I caught a flicker of something dark in

down her shoulders, eyes sharp with

now. This is the

she complied with a huff,

to me. "Take their

was warm and sure; Cayden’s was cold and rigid. Elder Gina whispered the vows

first, my voice steady despite the whirlwind

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

settled in my heart like

his voice

Pack, vow to become the husband of your dreams,

"So shall it be, in the name

through me, deep and strange. My body trembled. But there was no time to linger — I turned

caught. His gaze pinned me in place, searing

my voice faltered. My

do this," I whispered to myself.

Gilbert, vow to protect you and be the mate of

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

frozen, heart

Natasha

plummeted. He moved away from me without hesitation, standing before Natasha.

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

the weight of shame. How foolish 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 all been