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.

if you’re not accepting," Caspian continued facing me, "that’s fine. Nobody’s expecting you to play

couldn’t even

be taking Hazel," he

The air grew still.

lost everything," he added, his voice quieter, rawer. "And this pack?

my mother’s voice rang out from the upstairs balcony,

we both ignored her.

anywhere

"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 another man’s

stepped forward, letting my anger flood the room like wildfire. "And thank

I was trying to

be punished," I snapped. "Right here.

to me, squaring his shoulders like

child in her

you want

Caspian said,

to be told, we all turned toward

Aurora.

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

find out," she said softly, her voice calm

need you both

could move, Hazel

Not hysterically. Not nervously.

out when you’ve had enough. When

she said, her voice cutting through the air.

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

her

Even if you’re not coming, I am leaving. I’m done with this pack. I should’ve

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

away, but something inside me

out, her disappearing. Some part of me

grabbed her hand

not leaving anywhere,"

am leaving," she hissed, her voice low

betrayal, the

that night. The night I admitted everything. The night I let

now... the rage burning in her eyes mirrored

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

Her jaw clenched.

the perfect time to walk away? After you’ve destroyed my name?

enemies have started circling like vultures? You think you’ll

forward. "No, Hazel. You

"Take this test. Prove I’m the father. Then maybe you’ll be allowed to walk away—after you’ve birthed the child. Or refuse,

fully, her chin high, her eyes brighter