Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers

Chapter 25: Flames of denial

~Cayden’s POV~

This can’t be real... impossible. Hazel? Pregnant with my child?

The words played in my head like some sick joke. I stood there, stiff, barely breathing as Caspian took a step back from me. I noticed it instantly—the disappointment in his eyes, the sharp shift in the air between us. My brother, my blood... turning away.

I reached out instinctively, like that could somehow fix this. "Brother... this can’t"

But he cut me off, his voice slicing through the noise like a dagger.

"It’s enough, Cayden. Enough of your lies and deceit. But for how long will you keep doing this, huh?"

He stepped back further, shaking his head in disgust. "Alpha Cayden."

That last part? He emphasized it—mocked me with it. My title suddenly felt like a heavy burden around my neck. My eyes widened because that was it. That was exactly what I’d been running from.

Any connection with Hazel always ended in chaos. The closer I got to her, the more I felt like I was unraveling. Worse—I was dragging her down with me.

I sent Ragnar away. I made a deal. I told myself it was for her safety, that staying away was the only way to protect her. She didn’t need to be tangled in my world. And now...this?

A child? free\NovelFire.c o(m)

No. No, it couldn’t be. I wasn’t even inside her long enough. Barely even touched her that way. And Natasha? I’ve been with her countless times, and not once has she gotten pregnant. Not once.

This had to be a scam. A cruel setup. She’s faking it.

And now, she’s taking Caspian away from me. My own brother. My last anchor. Without him, I’m... lost.

The anger began to boil under my skin. I needed answers. I needed to see her.

I shoved Caspian out of my way and stormed through the crowd toward the hall’s entrance. But then

I stopped, like my body hit an invisible wall.

There she was.

Hazel.

Standing tall in the middle of chaos, her gaze locked with mine like we were the only two people in the room. Tears streaked down her face, ruining her makeup. Her hands clenched the fabric of her dress like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. Her chest heaved, but her stare?

Fierce.

"You.."

both said it, teeth gritted, like

then my eyes dropped to

deep feeling crept into my chest. Not fear. Not anger. Something I

us, shielding her like I

of everything finally pressing against my lungs. "First becoming our mate... and now

didn’t even blink. Her stare matched

she laughed. Low. Painful. Like the kind

I would

heart twisted, but my anger moved

all of this?! Can’t you just leave?!" I shouted, unable to

Caspian’s arm tightly. "I... wish

weren’t loud,

can leave. With your illegitimate child. You’re both not wanted

die. This pack, my world—none of it would spare her. Ragnar needed to know she was gone, so he’d

live out the rest of

But instead of breaking...

She stepped forward.

Her heels clicked against the marble like war

She slapped me.

Hard.

And then again.

then a

my face and through

call

me closer, eyes blazing with

shoved her back, not

worst thing you could possibly do to me.

hall had gone dead

in. Every time she enters, everything goes to hell. And now... I was

Not in front of

it, she... she always knows

parents were up on the mezzanine, and the Gilbert wolves were gathering near Marcus.

And then he spoke.