Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 279

Hailee's POV

The sky felt heavy.

Gray. Silent. Thick with sorrow… like even the heavens bowed their heads for my father.

Today was the day we laid him to rest.

The burial ground was full—warriors, elders, omegas, old friends, and my father's allies. Everyone dressed in black. Everyone moved quietly. Even the birds refused to sing.

But the only warmth I felt… the only steady thing holding me up…

was Nathan.

He hadn't left my side since morning. Not even to breathe.

His hand stayed on my waist, firm but gentle, grounding me like an anchor in the middle of a storm I couldn't escape.

Every few moments, his thumb brushed my hip—small, soft movements that said:

"I'm here… I'm not going anywhere."

"Are you okay?" he whispered, his voice low, careful.

He had asked me that over and over. At least fifty times.

I nodded slowly, even though my heart felt like shattered glass under my ribs.

"Yes… I'm okay."

He looked at me like he didn't believe me, but he didn't push. He just pulled me a little closer, his warmth leaking into my cold skin.

The ground felt uneven beneath my feet. The world felt tilted. Like nothing was real anymore.

Nathan was the only thing keeping me standing.

He had been here for the past two days, watching me, protecting me, steadying me every time my knees weakened, wiping silent tears I didn't even realize were falling.

And when I cried at night… he held me until I fell asleep.

Peter eventually walked up to us.

But instead of glaring at Nathan… or telling him to step away from me… or acting like the overprotective brother he always was…

He paused. Looked between us. Then gave Nathan a small nod.

That alone shocked me more than anything.

Peter had finally accepted him.

Because he knew the truth now.

He knew Nathan was my mate.

And a brother could only fight destiny for so long.

He exhaled slowly. "Stay with her," he told Nathan quietly.

Nathan nodded once. "Always."

And for the first time in our lives, the two most stubborn men I knew… agreed on something.

Peter stepped closer and whispered, "The ceremony is about to start."

I nodded, swallowing painfully as my eyes drifted to the coffin.

My father's coffin.

A wave of grief slammed into me so hard I almost stumbled.

Nathan's hand immediately tightened around my waist, supporting me again before I even fell.

I inhaled shakily.

"Thank you…" I whispered.

He pressed a soft kiss against the side of my head.

"I will always be here," he whispered back.

Those words hit something deep and fragile inside me.

The burial began. People moved forward one by one to pay their last respects. The priest spoke. Warriors bowed. The drums hummed lowly in the background—slow, heavy beats that sounded like a dying heartbeat.

Peter stood like stone. Mother cried loudly. People whispered prayers.

But I didn't hear any of it.

All I felt was pain.

And Nathan's hand holding mine through that pain.

When it was over, people began to leave slowly—talking in soft voices, hugging one another.

I took a deep breath and turned—

Only for my stomach to drop instantly.

I saw him.

Callum.

Standing a few feet away. Watching me. Silent. Still. Expression unreadable.

My heart jumped painfully.

I hadn't expected him. Not today. Not so soon. Not when my entire world was collapsing and rebuilding at the same time.

Nathan's hand paused on my waist. His jaw tightened just slightly. But he didn't pull me closer possessively like he would have days ago. He didn't growl. He didn't act threatened.

Because he knew.

He was my mate. My wolf had chosen him. Nothing could change that.

Still… I gently turned to Nathan.

"Can we talk later? I need to speak with him privately."

Nathan studied my face for a moment… then nodded.

"Go," he said softly. "I'll be right here when you come back."

I stepped away slowly… my heart pounding with unease.

When Callum reached me, his eyes dropped immediately to my waist—where Nathan's hand had been moments earlier. Something dark flashed in his stare.

"Callum… can we talk?" I whispered.

His throat moved. "Yes."

I led him to a quiet corner behind the large gray stones, away from the crowd.

The moment we were alone, he looked down at me—anger, pain, confusion all swirling in his eyes.

"What is going on?" he asked quietly. "Why was he touching you like that?"

I swallowed.

The words felt heavy.

"Callum… Nathan and I… we're mates."

Silence.

Complete, deep, painful silence.

His entire body went still.

Like he couldn't breathe.

"W-What?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Our wolves confirmed it," I said, my voice trembling. "It's real."

For a long moment… he just stared at me.

And then—his expression changed completely.

Fury.

Not the loud kind. Not the reckless kind. But the quiet, dangerous, burning fury that lived deep in Callum's bones.

"So what about the baby inside of you?" he whispered sharply. "What happens to our child? You heard what the healer said."

I tightened my fingers together.

"Nothing will happen to our baby," I said softly.

"How are you sure?" he snapped. "How do you know? How do you KNOW that being with him won't hurt my child?"

"Callum—"

"No!" he growled, stepping closer. "You think I don't hear things? I know the risks. I know what mating bonds can do to unborn pups when the father is another wolf!"

My heart clenched painfully.

I understood his fear. His anger. His confusion.

But my wolf… my wolf had already chosen Nathan. I had already chosen Nathan.

"Callum, please calm down—"

"Calm DOWN?" he whispered in disbelief. "HOW?"

His anger was building—wild and unstoppable.

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