Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers

Chapter 48: Bad choice

*~Author’s POV ~*

The carriage moved slowly along the worn forest path. Inside, Aurora sat upright, flipping through a spellbook as glowing runes danced at her fingertips. Hazel sat beside her, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder, offering silent comfort. Though the ride was calm, tension clung to the air like mist.

Behind them Blue moon wolfs stationed there to ensure Hazel’s safety. Just as Elder O’Brien had ordered, she was being moved from the High House—supposedly for her own good. The Council had agreed. Hazel hadn’t.

And maybe... they were all wrong.

The carriage gave a sudden jolt.

A sharp thud echoed beneath the wheels, and the driver cursed as the horses neighed, rearing slightly. Aurora’s spell flickered out.

"What was that?" she muttered, snapping her book shut.

The driver twisted in his seat. "A rock, I think. I’ll check." He hopped down and approached the obstruction cautiously.

Then—whizz!

An arrow flew from the shadows. The driver caught it just in time, inches from his chest. His eyes widened.

A second arrow struck him dead through the side. He dropped.

Aurora’s eyes darkened. "Hazel, up! Now!"

Hazel jolted awake as Aurora dragged her from the carriage. The forest had gone silent—but not empty.

"Versa," Aurora whispered, and a glowing force-shield burst around them.

Then, from the woods, they emerged.

First, five cloaked figures—witches. But behind them came another: an older woman, cloaked in black, long dark hair draping over her shoulders like a veil.

Hazel gasped. Aurora’s breath caught.

"Dahlia," she hissed.

But it wasn’t just the witches.

Another figure stepped forward.

A man they knew.

"Elder O’Brien," Aurora said in disbelief.

Hazel’s blood ran cold. The wolves guarding them shifted to human form, surrounding her protectively. But it was too late.

like I said he would.

"So this is where you got the herbs.

She nodded toward Dahlia.

witch smirked, her voice sharp as broken glass. "And there’s the little imposter witch.

as Aurora stepped in front of her

life?

gushed from her mouth. She dropped to one

cried out, crouching beside

Aurora gasped. "The coffin... Hazel,

"I’m not leaving you—"

said run!" Aurora clutched her side. Her eyes flicked black. "I’ll have to use dark

"No!"

she said with a shaky grin. "Dark magic has always been

whispered the word

dark power leaking from every pore. She looked at Dahlia, her

love to see you

witches took

Hazel turned to run.

sprinting toward them with terrifying speed. Before Hazel could scream, Aurora stepped in front of her, arms

Behind them, chaos erupted.

into a massive black wolf with glowing red eyes, growling low. The wolves who had been secretly guarding Hazel abandoned the shadows and burst forward—shifting midair into their human or wolf forms

Screams

against the shattered carriage. Her vision blurred. Her limbs wouldn’t move. Something was weighing her down—not physically, but

but Hazel couldn’t make out the words

Every sound was muffled.

Every breath felt stolen.

tearing through their defenses like a monster unleashed. Hazel could barely think. She felt heavy, like she was

And then it happened.

sharp, twisting pain shot through

to her knees. Blood

instead, she choked. Thick, dark

no," she sobbed, both

Then came her voice.

out like a queen in the center of war. "I’m simply observing the power. We’re

snapped up. Dahlia was gliding toward her through the fight, untouched,

she whispered. "Come

Hazel didn’t move.

She couldn’t move.

But her body did.

the ground and slammed hard onto her

gasped, struggling, blood dripping down her legs and mouth. Dahlia tilted her head, examining her like