Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 278

DANE'S POV

The entire throne room stayed frozen as I rose to my feet.

My voice echoed through the hall:

"You want me as your king? Your Alpha?"

Every elder straightened, every warrior stepped forward, every council member lowered their head with complete loyalty.

"Yes, Alpha!"

"All of us!"

"We choose YOU!"

"We stand by YOU, not her!"

Catherine's face twisted—fear, anger, disbelief—everything at once.

But I didn't look at her.

I looked at my people.

My chest tightened, and I nodded once.

"Then hear my rules," I said firmly. "If you want me as Alpha… as King… then you must accept these conditions."

They all bowed their heads.

"Say it, Alpha," Elder Ronan said. "We are ready."

I took a deep breath.

"Rule number one—" I said slowly, turning my eyes toward Catherine.

"I am divorcing Catherine… right now."

Gasps.

Catherine jolted.

The room exploded again—shock, whispers—but no rejection. No refusal.

"And rule number two—" I continued calmly.

"I will be with the woman I love. My true mate. No council, no tradition, no elder… will force me into a loveless bond again."

The entire room answered at once:

"We agree, Alpha!"

"We support you!"

"Your mate is our Luna!"

A wave of relief washed through me… powerful enough to make my wolf breathe easier.

Then I finally turned toward Catherine.

She looked like a crumbling building—desperate, shaking, humiliated.

I didn't smile.

I didn't mock her.

I just spoke the truth:

"Your father asked me to take care of you," I said quietly. "And I will keep that promise."

She swallowed, tears flooding her eyes.

"But I will not lie anymore," I added firmly. "I will not pretend to love what I never loved. I will take care of your needs, your safety, your comfort… but nothing more."

Catherine's jaw trembled.

Suddenly, she shoved past the elders and stormed out of the hall—her heels slamming against the floor, her pride crushed into dust.

Gamma Zake tried to follow her, but Elder Ronan grabbed him by the collar.

"No," the elder growled. "Not tonight. Stay where you are."

I spent a few more minutes addressing the council—plans, security, territory concerns—just enough to calm the room and steady the future.

Then finally…

Finally…

I walked back to my room.

My wolf was already pacing wildly, excited, impatient.

"GO TO HER. OUR MATE NEEDS US."

I pushed the door open—

Only to freeze on the spot.

Because there, on the floor—

Lila was on top of Catherine… beating her senseless.

For one second, I was too stunned to move.

"What the—"

Lila immediately stood up, breathing hard, her hair messy, her cheeks flushed from anger and adrenaline.

And on her face—

A bright red slap mark.

My wolf roared with rage.

I rushed forward. "Lila—what happened?"

She pointed at Catherine, who was curled up against the wall, crying fake tears.

"She came in here," Lila said shakily. "She marched into your room… called me names… told me I would die here… and then she slapped me."

My whole vision turned red.

I turned slowly toward Catherine.

"This will be the last time," I said quietly.

Her eyes widened.

"You are leaving the house tonight."

She opened her mouth to protest, but I didn't let her speak.

"I will arrange an apartment for you outside the palace," I continued. "Comfortable. Safe. But you will NEVER step foot into my chambers again."

Catherine shook with rage.

"You will regret this!" she screamed. "Both of you—"

"GET. OUT."

My Alpha voice slammed into her like a wall.

She stumbled backward.

Gamma Zake grabbed her and helped her out before she could embarrass herself further.

The door shut.

Silence fell.

I turned to Lila.

Her anger was gone immediately. She looked guilty. Worried. Nervous.

"I'm sorry," she whispered quickly. "You saw me like that. I shouldn't have—"

"No."

I reached out and gently cupped her jaw.

"I'm proud of you."

She blinked. "P… proud?"

I smiled.

"You're not weak. You didn't let her walk over you. You defended yourself… and your place."

Her lips curved slowly… shyly… beautifully.

Then—

A knock.

The door opened softly, and the witch-seer I had summoned walked in—dressed in dark robes, her eyes glowing faintly.

"Alpha Dane," she greeted. Then her gaze shifted to Lila. "The girl with the chained wolf."

Lila stiffened.

The witch didn't waste time. She walked up to Lila, placed her fingers gently on the collar, and whispered ancient words under her breath. Symbols glowed. Energy surged. Light flickered.

Lila gasped—her breath caught, her whole body trembling.

And then—

CRACK.

The collar split open and fell to the ground with a heavy metallic thud.

Lila grabbed her throat, sucking in air like she had been underwater for months.

Her eyes glowed suddenly—

Bright silver.

Her wolf surfaced instantly.

And before I could even react—

She grabbed my face and kissed me.

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