Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One

Hailee's POV

I dragged myself out of bed, my body still trembling, and crossed the room. My fingers fumbled as I yanked my bag from the closet. One by one, I shoved clothes inside, not even folding them, just stuffing them in. It wasn't like I would be needing any of these clothes anyway.

My throat tightened as the truth sank in—I was returning to the life of royalty. I remembered four years ago when I was practically begging, crying for any other punishment rather than being sent away, and now, after four years, I was going back home, yet it felt like stepping into the dungeon again. I would give anything just to stay here, to keep pretending I was the omega everyone believed me to be. Swallowing hard, I thought of Lila. She had been my best friend since I came to the Full Moon Pack, and she knew some of my secrets—though not all. I couldn't just vanish on her. She deserved to know I was leaving.

My hands shook as I grabbed my phone and pressed Lila's name. The line barely rang before she answered.

"Hailee?" Her voice was groggy; I had woken her even though it was already past 10 a.m.

I swallowed, my voice trembling. "Lila… I'm leaving. It's time."

There was a sharp pause, the sound of her quick breath cutting through the line. "What? Hailee, no—you can't just—" Her voice pitched higher, almost panicked. "I'm coming over. Right now. Don't move until I get there."

"Lila—" I started, but she had already ended the call.

I lowered the phone with a shaky exhale, my heart hammering. My bag was half-zipped when the sound of the doorknob turning froze me in place. My stomach dropped. The door creaked open.

And there she was.

My mother.

Her sharp eyes swept the room, landing on the half-packed bag, then on me—still trembling, hair messy, lips swollen from Dane's kiss. Her expression hardened instantly, suspicion tightening her features.

"Hailee," she said slowly, her gaze raking all over me. "What have you done?" Her voice wasn't raised, but I could hear the panic and fear in her tone.

Without being told, I knew she already knew I was no longer a virgin, and she knew the implications of my act. I frowned and looked away while pretending to pack my things. Mother stepped fully into the room, moving carefully toward me. She reached me and laid her hands on my arms, not gripping, just holding.

"Hailee… what have you done?" she whispered again. "You're in trouble now. If they find out—if they know—you'll be punished."

Her words hit me. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away, pretending to focus on the half-packed bag, but my fingers shook too much to continue.

"Why, Hailee?" she pressed, her voice trembling with worry. "Why would you risk everything? Don't you understand the weight of what you've done?"

I turned to her then, my eyes burning. "Because I can't do it," I said fiercely, though my voice trembled. "I don't want to marry Robert. I won't. This… this was my only way out. And I don't regret it."

Mother exhaled. Her hand slid down to grip mine, her touch trembling. The sorrow in her eyes made my chest ache. For the first time, guilt hit me. I knew what my decision meant. Not just for me—but for her. She might suffer for this. She might be punished because of me. My throat tightened, and I whispered hoarsely, "I'm sorry, Mother. I'm so sorry… I didn't mean for this to hurt you."

Her head shook quickly, fiercely, as if to silence me. "Don't be sorry for me," she said softly. "I am not worried about myself. I am worried about you, Hailee. Always you. They can do what they want to me; I don't care. But you—" Her voice caught, her eyes glistening. "You are precious to me."

Her words shattered me completely. My chest caved, hot tears blurring my vision as I gripped her hand tighter, wishing I could take back the pain I caused her. But it was too late. The damage was already done.

"I'm sorry, sorry, Mother," I whispered, tearing up.

She nodded, forcing a weak smile. "It's alright… it's your life, and you have the right to make any decision you need."

Her words soothed me, like cool water poured over burning coals. Her support meant everything, and I was so grateful I had it.

"So… did you tell them?" Mother asked gently.

I shook my head quickly, wiping away my tears. "No… I couldn't," I whispered. "If I tell them, they won't let me go. They'll force me to stay, and it'll only cause havoc. I don't want them dragged into this, not because of me."

Mother's expression softened even more, though her worry never left. She cupped my cheek, her thumb brushing away a tear. "They'll be so heartbroken, Hailee. You know that, don't you?"

Her words twisted deep inside me, but I bit my lip, forcing myself not to break completely. Then she hesitated, as if weighing whether she should speak. Finally, she said quietly, "Earlier today… I saw Nathan at the packhouse."

I blinked at her, startled. "Nathan?"

She nodded slowly, her lips pressing together. "Yes. He stopped me in the hallway. And do you know what he said?" Her eyes searched mine, as if unsure how I'd take it.

Unease rolled through me. "Does he know we are leaving?"

She shook her head.

My stomach knotted. "What… what did he say?"

Mother let out a shaky breath, almost as if she couldn't believe it herself. "He told me he loves you, Hailee. That he wants to ask for your hand in marriage."

I froze, staring at her. Shock rippled through me. "He—what?" The word tumbled out of my mouth.

"I was just as shocked," she admitted, nodding slowly. "But he was serious. He said once you turn eighteen in two months, he wants to marry you. He even asked for my blessing—my permission."