Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76: We Can Share

Callum’s POV

"Hailee, stop!" I yelled again, chasing after her through the hallway and out into the open court. But she didn’t stop, not until she reached the edge of the basketball court. She slowed, then came to a halt, her breathing uneven, her arms folded tight across her chest like she was holding herself together. I caught up to her and stood beside her, my heart pounding—not from the run, but from the look in her eyes.

They were glassy with tears. And damn, it hurt me to see her like that.

"Hailee..." I said quietly, trying to keep my voice calm. "What’s going on?"

I knew the answer.

But I needed to hear her say it.

I needed her to be honest—with me, with herself.

She didn’t say anything at first. Just stood there with her back half-turned to me, her fists trembling slightly at her sides.

Then, slowly, she walked to the edge of the grass and sank down onto it, wiping at her cheeks.

I followed, sitting beside her with a patient silence.

And finally... she spoke.

"I’m confused," she whispered.

My chest tightened.

"How?" I asked gently, though I already knew. "Talk to me, Hailee."

She sniffled. "I have feelings for three men, Callum. Three. And I don’t understand how that’s even possible."

I stayed still.

It hurt. Of course it did.

But I wasn’t surprised.

We all felt it. This pull toward her.

And maybe... maybe she did too.

She looked at me, her expression full of shame and pain. "I feel like I’m going insane. Like I’m being split in three directions. I don’t know how to stop it. I don’t want to hurt anyone but..."

"You’re hurting yourself instead," I finished for her.

She gave a tiny nod, a tear slipping down her cheek.

I reached for her hand. Not to hold it, not to pull her in, but just to comfort her.

"There’s no need to drive yourself crazy, Hailee," I said softly. "Then don’t hide. Don’t pretend anymore."

She looked at me, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." I paused, took a breath, and said it. "Tell us. Tell the three of us exactly how you feel. What you feel. No pretending, no sugarcoating."

Her brows drew together, but she didn’t speak.

I continued, "And maybe—just maybe—if we all know where we stand, we can figure this out together. Even if that means all three of us... dating you."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"You can’t be serious."

"I am," I said, meeting her gaze. "It doesn’t have to be some toxic competition. If this is what fate gave us, then let’s face it head-on. No more sneaking around. No more hiding."

She blinked fast, her lips parting.

"I’m okay with it," I added quietly, my voice shaking just a bit. "Even if it hurts sometimes. I just want you to be okay. To be honest. I can share you if that will make you happy. I’ll do it."

I reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. "But you can’t keep running from the others. You need to talk to Nathan. And Dane too. Explain things to them and I believe if they love you just as I do, they will be willing to share."

She nodded slowly, overwhelmed.

I pulled her into my arms and she relaxed on me while I gently stroked her hair.

It hurt. God, it hurt like hell.

But this was better than the alternative.

Because if she had to choose—if it came down to one name for her to pick—I was almost certain it wouldn’t be mine.

Not with the way she looked at Nathan.

Not with the way her eyes softened every time she was near him... like he was the one person in the world who made her feel safe, even when he was the one breaking her.

Maybe I had an edge over Dane. Maybe.

But with Nathan...?

I didn’t think I stood a chance.

So yeah, this?

Sharing her love—even if it meant watching her fall deeper for someone else—was better than losing her completely.

I could live with pain.

But not with losing her. My fingers threaded gently through her hair as I held her, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of her head.

"I love you so much, Hailee," I murmured against her hair. "And just being with you, in whatever way you’ll let me... that’s enough for me."

She didn’t say anything back.

She didn’t have to.

I knew she was scared. I knew she didn’t want to break anyone’s heart, least of all mine.

But love was messy. And right now, we were already neck-deep in it.

We sat there for a few minutes more.

And then, like the world had to keep spinning whether we were ready or not... the bell rang.

She pulled back slowly, her eyes red but calmer now.

I offered her my hand. "Come on. Let’s go."

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