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

hand. "You couldn’t even play it properly

be taking Hazel," he said, louder now. "And

The air grew still.

his voice quieter, rawer. "And this pack? It’s lost its meaning to

my mother’s voice rang

ignored her. Everyone

not leaving anywhere with you, Caspian. Not until

back to Hazel, locking eyes with her. "It’s true, isn’t it? She’s my wife, right? That’s what

my anger flood the room like wildfire. "And thank

flicker. But inside, I knew I was trying

snapped. "Right here.

me, squaring his shoulders like he was preparing

in her womb isn’t yours?" he

didn’t blink. "Do you want us to do

Caspian

told, we all turned toward the only person in

Aurora.

with quiet confidence, already knowing what was expected of her. The room

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

"I need you both to stretch out your

before anyone could

Not hysterically. Not nervously.

laugh you let out when you’ve had

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

That some monster is the father of my child? And that I’ll possibly bring

her head.

we leave. Even if you’re not coming, I am leaving. I’m done with this pack. I should’ve run away days ago. I don’t know

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

away, but

couldn’t take it—her walking out, her disappearing. Some part of me

hand and

not leaving anywhere,"

she hissed, her voice low and full of

breath was heavy. Our eyes locked. The weight of everything between us—the betrayal, the pain, the heat, the longing—hung in the air like a storm

admitted everything. The night

burning in

letting the words cut deep. "Not until you get

Her jaw clenched.

perfect time to walk away? After you’ve destroyed my name? After packs are on their way to challenge me—because of

enemies have started circling like vultures? You

took another step forward. "No, Hazel. You will

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

to face me fully, her chin high, her eyes brighter