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.

laughed bitterly. "Imagine that. Alpha Cayden actually threw his own mate out, just like I said he would. And Caspian—Beta Caspian, of all people—how

low and firm. "So this is where you got the herbs. From

She nodded toward Dahlia.

sharp as broken glass. "And there’s the little imposter witch. Should’ve died long ago. Now you will—along with the abomination you’re

in front of her protectively. "I’ll protect

smirk deepened. "Your life?

Blood gushed from her mouth.

cried out,

Aurora gasped. "The coffin...

"I’m not leaving you—"

clutched her side. Her eyes flicked black. "I’ll have to use

"No!"

with a shaky grin. "Dark magic has always been

the word

body stiffened, rising slowly from the ground, dark power leaking from every pore. She

to see you

erupted. The witches took their positions. The wolves bared their

Hazel turned to run.

figures behind Dahlia lunged forward, sprinting toward them with terrifying speed. Before Hazel could scream,

Behind them, chaos erupted.

wolves who had been secretly guarding Hazel abandoned the shadows and burst forward—shifting midair into their human or wolf

Screams

carriage. Her vision blurred. Her limbs wouldn’t move. Something was weighing her down—not physically, but spiritually—like the earth itself was gripping her

couldn’t make out the

Every sound was muffled.

Every breath felt stolen.

and O’Brien tearing through their defenses like a monster unleashed. Hazel could barely

And then it happened.

pain shot through her belly—deep,

fell to her knees. Blood pooled underneath her

scream, but instead, she choked. Thick, dark blood poured from

she sobbed, both hands clutching her stomach.

Then came her voice.

in the center of war. "I’m simply

the fight, untouched, unfazed, her eyes locked like a predator finally

here," she whispered.

Hazel didn’t move.

She couldn’t move.

But her body did.

off the ground and slammed hard onto her knees before Dahlia. The

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