Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers

Chapter 26: Hard-headed Girl...

~Cayden’s POV~

"I disown you!"

Hazel stood there, frozen for a moment. Her breathing was shaky, her eyes glistening with tears—but not from sorrow. No. Not anymore.

She smiled.

Soft at first. Then it bloomed, wider. Calmer. Almost serene. Like she’d finally realized something for the first time.

And then she spoke, voice steady, rising with each word.

"That would be the biggest favor you’ve ever done me," she said, almost like she was thanking him. "Because since when have I ever been considered your daughter? Since when have I ever been considered a Gilbert?"

She let the words breathe, stepping closer. Her voice sharpened, trembled at the edge but didn’t falter.

"So you disowning me... you think that’s something, right, Father?"

She laughed, the sound hollow, aching. "You don’t even deserve that title. You’ve done nothing but bring pain into my life. Nothing but pain!" she yelled, her voice cracking now. Years of agony poured out in that sentence.

Marcus’s face reddened, fists clenched at his sides.

"And what are you bringing to the High House now, huh?" he snapped back. "Shame."

He pointed a finger at her stomach like it was poison. "That bastard," Marcus said, gesturing toward me. "Would you allow your own wife—the one you just wedded—to be embarrassed publicly, carrying a child? A mistake in her womb? Is that what this has become?"

The words barely left his mouth when a voice cut across the room. It was low at first, but every syllable carried razor-edge command.

"Do you want me to repeat myself again, Marcus?"

The room shifted. Everyone turned.

Caspian.

He stood tall, voice calm but steel beneath it. His eyes burned like fire, not a trace of hesitation in his stance.

"Haven’t I told you not to speak ill of my wife like that again?"

The silence that followed wasn’t shocked—it was deadly.

Marcus flinched. That was all it took. He shut his mouth, jaw tightening, pride swallowed.

Then Caspian stepped forward—past me, past the crowd—and took Hazel gently by the hand. Without a word, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her temple. Then her forehead. And finally, her lips.

He held her like she was the only thing that mattered. And then—he looked directly at Marcus, his voice cold and clear:

"She is carrying your grandson."

The entire hall gasped again, some wolves murmuring, others too stunned to move.

me, "that’s fine. Nobody’s expecting you

on Hazel’s hand. "You couldn’t even play

taking Hazel," he said, louder now. "And I’ll be

The air grew still.

added, his voice quieter, rawer.

are you saying, Caspian?" my mother’s voice rang out from

ignored

not leaving anywhere with you, Caspian. Not until

to Hazel, locking eyes with her. "It’s true, isn’t it? She’s my wife, right? That’s what you said. Then she’s cheated on me. She’s carrying

room like wildfire. "And thank the gods it got revealed today. On our wedding day.

I was trying to convince myself more

I snapped. "Right here.

a breath and stepped closer to me, squaring his shoulders

that child in her womb isn’t yours?" he

didn’t blink. "Do you want us

Caspian said,

crowd murmured in shock. And without needing to be told, we all turned toward the only person in the hall capable of

Aurora.

quiet confidence, already knowing what was expected of her. The room gave way, and

find out," she said softly, her voice calm but commanding. "To see if

paused. "I need you both

could move, Hazel

Not hysterically. Not nervously.

laugh you let out when you’ve had enough. When the absurdity of it

voice cutting through the air. "No. I don’t want to

prove? That some monster is the father

shook her

I am leaving. I’m done with this pack. I should’ve run away days

slightly. "Now look at what’s befallen me. I’ve seen exactly

to walk away, but

of me not just my mind, but Ragnar—raged against the idea of never seeing her

grabbed her hand and

leaving anywhere," I

hissed, her voice

betrayal, the pain, the heat, the longing—hung in the air like a storm about

felt exactly like that night. The night I admitted everything. The

now... the rage burning in

repeated, stepping closer, letting the words cut

Her jaw clenched.

time. But you didn’t. And now you think this is the perfect time to walk away? After you’ve destroyed my name? After packs are on their way to challenge me—because of you?" I

circling like vultures?

took another step forward. "No, Hazel. You will get the punishment

I’m the father. Then maybe you’ll be allowed to walk away—after you’ve birthed the child.

her chin high, her eyes