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 my

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

ravishing," he

to my cheeks. I caught a flicker of something dark in Cayden’s eyes across the aisle — his

cascaded down her shoulders, eyes sharp with ancient wisdom. She

This

with a huff, stepping back with

to me. "Take

throat tight, and reached out. Caspian’s hand was warm and sure; Cayden’s was cold and rigid. Elder

Caspian first, my voice steady despite the

as your partner, to rule beside you and become

settled in my heart like a

smiled, his voice

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

shall it be, in the

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

caught. His gaze

words, but suddenly my voice faltered.

on, Hazel... you can do this," I

Hazel Gilbert, vow to protect you

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

stood frozen,

me?" Natasha

smiled, a cruel twist of his lips. My heart plummeted. He moved away from me without hesitation, standing before Natasha. The elder’s words repeated

legal protector and ensure you bear my children

under the weight of shame. How foolish I had been — expecting even a sliver of respect

had all been a