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

grip 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.

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

we both ignored

not leaving anywhere with

isn’t it? She’s my wife, right? That’s what you

like wildfire. "And thank

didn’t flicker. But inside, I knew I was trying to convince

punished," I snapped.

took a breath and stepped closer to me, squaring his shoulders like he

her womb isn’t yours?" he asked

blink. "Do you want us to do

Caspian

in shock. And without needing to be told, we all turned toward the

Aurora.

knowing what was expected of her. The room gave way, and her presence silenced the

she said softly, her voice

both to stretch

before anyone could move, Hazel

Not hysterically. Not nervously.

out when you’ve had enough. When the absurdity of it all becomes

her voice cutting through the

monster is the father

shook her

eyes softening only slightly. "I suggest we leave. Even if you’re not coming, I am leaving. I’m done with this

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

walk away, but something inside

it—her walking out, her disappearing. Some part of me not just my mind, but Ragnar—raged against the idea of never

hand and

not leaving anywhere," I

hissed, her voice low

breath was heavy. Our eyes locked. The weight of everything between us—the betrayal, the pain,

like that night. The night I admitted everything. The night I let my guard down

the rage burning in her eyes mirrored

leaving," I repeated, stepping closer, letting the words cut deep. "Not until you get the

Her jaw clenched.

had the chance to run away all this 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

started circling like vultures?

You

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

her chin high, her eyes brighter than