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.

Cayden actually threw his own mate out, just like I said he would. And Caspian—Beta Caspian, of all people—how disappointing. All it took was one simple trick to lure

and firm. "So this is where you got the

She nodded toward Dahlia.

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

Aurora stepped in front of her protectively. "I’ll protect her with my life," Aurora

life? Sweetheart... you’re

Blood gushed from her mouth. She dropped to

out, crouching

should’ve known," Aurora gasped. "The coffin... Hazel,

"I’m not leaving you—"

her side. Her eyes flicked black. "I’ll

"No!"

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

word again, louder,

body stiffened, rising slowly from the ground, dark power leaking from every pore. She looked at Dahlia, her mouth bleeding but her stare

see you try,"

woods, growls erupted. The witches took their positions.

Hazel turned to run.

took a step when the five cloaked figures behind Dahlia lunged forward, sprinting toward them with terrifying speed. Before Hazel

Behind them, chaos erupted.

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 as

Spells exploded. Screams

stood frozen behind it all, her back pressed against the shattered carriage. Her vision blurred. Her limbs wouldn’t move. Something was

voice echoed, but Hazel couldn’t

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 melting into the

And then it happened.

shot through her belly—deep,

her knees. Blood pooled underneath her

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

no," she sobbed, both hands clutching her stomach. "My

Then came her voice.

Dahlia crooned from the chaos, stepping out like a queen in the center of war.

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

here," she whispered. "Come

Hazel didn’t move.

She couldn’t move.

But her body did.

by invisible chains, Hazel was lifted off the ground and slammed hard onto her knees before Dahlia. The witch smiled sweetly as

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