Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One Chapter 28: Arriving With Dane

Hailee’s POV

I stood in front of my wardrobe, my arms crossed, while I bit the inside of my cheek. An old habit of mine, which I do whenever I am in deep thought.

So many outfits lay out before ... yet none felt right. My hand hovered over the usual—plain skirts, worn-out tops, nothing too bold. Nothing that would catch attention.

But then... my eyes landed on it. Tucked neatly in the back, untouched since the day I got it. A customized fitted dress. Red. Long sleeves, off-shoulder. The fabric smooth like silk, hugging every curve without being too much. Classy, expensive, almost royalty.

It was gifted to on my seventeenth birthday by people I never wanted anything to do with. I had almost thrown it away that sa night. Almost. But Mama stopped . She said it was too beautiful to waste. I just dumped it. I had never worn it. Never even touched the other gifts they sent. I kept them hidden, unused, locked away.

But tonight... maybe I didn’t care. Maybe I wanted to remind the world that I could still be sothing—soone—even if they think I ca from nothing.

I slipped it on. It fit perfectly, like it was made for . The dress fell just above my knees, soft and flattering, hugging my waist. It whispered elegance with every movent.

I stared at my reflection and let out a slow breath.

I looked... different.

Not like a cook’s daughter.

Not like an oga.

People would talk. I knew that.

They’d whisper, stare, wonder how soone like could wear sothing like this.

But I didn’t care.

Let them wonder. Let them choke on their jealousy if they want. I pulled my hair into a simple half-up style, brushed on so lip balm, and added a faint shimr to my cheeks. Nothing too loud, just enough.

I was about to check myself one last ti when my phone buzzed. I reached for it and saw the ssage from an unsaved number.

"Hi... it’s Dane... I’m outside."

My eyes narrowed. How did he get my number and my address this fast? I inhaled deeply, glanced at my reflection one final ti, grabbed my bag, and stepped out.

Mom wasn’t ho—she’d been called to help cook for the bonfire festival. I hoped she’d get to enjoy it too, just for once.

Stepping outside my ho, the cool evening breeze brushed against my skin, but it wasn’t the wind that gave chills. It was him. Dane Blackwell.

He leaned against a sleek, black power bike like he stepped out of a movie. He was dressed head to toe in black—fitted jeans, black shirt, leather jacket. And in his arms? Two helts.

My lips parted slightly. Damn. He looked dangerous. Hot. Deadly. His gaze lifted the second he heard the door, and when his eyes t mine, I saw him freeze. Actually freeze. His eyes scanned from head to toe—slowly, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. And then... a small smirk curled on his lips, soft but very real.

"You look..." He trailed off for a second like he lost his words. "Beautiful."

I raised a brow, trying to act unbothered even though my stomach flipped. "Thanks."

His gaze dropped to the dress again. "That dress... suits you. A little too well."

I gave a small shrug. "I wasn’t planning to wear it."

"Well, I’m glad you did," he said simply, no trace of his usual sarcasm. Just the truth. Then he held out a helt. "You ever ride on a bike before?"

I stared at it like it was so alien object. "Nope. First ti. Am I going to survive?"

That made him laugh—an actual laugh that made his eyes crinkle a little at the corners. "You don’t know anything about , do you?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Should I?"

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough to send goosebumps across my arms. "I’m not just so spoiled Beta heir. I’m a racing champion, sweetheart. Bikes are my second nature. You’re in safe hands."

I blinked, surprised. "Really?"

"Really," he said, a little proud but not in a cocky way. "I’ve won regional and cross-pack races since I was thirteen. This bike?"—he patted the seat—"She’s my baby."

I laughed softly, and took the helt from him. "Alright, champion," I said as I strapped it on. "Let’s see if you can impress ."

He grinned and climbed on the bike, holding out a hand. "Hop on, Hailee."

I hesitated for only a second before placing my hand in his and sliding onto the seat behind him. As the engine roared to life, I wrapped my arms around his waist, my heart pounding—not just from the bike—but from the fact that I was holding onto him like this was normal.

The wind rushed past us as the bike sped down the quiet road, and even though I was holding onto Dane, it wasn’t the speed that made my heart race. It was him. The way he rode so confidently, the way he leaned into turns, the strength in his back against my chest—it was a lot to take in. My heart thudded hard the entire ride, like it was trying to warn of sothing. Of what, I wasn’t sure.

By the ti we arrived at the open field, the bonfire festival was already in full swing. Laughter, music, chatter—it all filled the air. Lights hung between trees, and a huge fire crackled at the center, casting golden light over everything.

But the mont Dane pulled in and parked the bike, everything slowed down. People turned. Eyes shifted. And just like that, we beca the center of attention. I could feel the stares. The whispers. The judgnt. I swallowed hard and climbed off the bike slowly, trying to ignore the heat rising to my cheeks.

Dane stepped beside like he didn’t notice—or didn’t care. His hand rested gently on the small of my back as we started walking through the crowd. Then I saw her. Alicia. The girl I’d caught bent over a table under Dane just hours ago. She stood with a group of other high-ranked girls, her eyes wide, her mouth slightly open. They all stared like I’d just stolen sothing that was never ant to be mine.

I looked away quickly, my pulse pounding. But things only got worse. Because just a few steps ahead, I saw Callum. He stood at the bar stand, drink in hand, dressed neatly in a dark blue shirt and jeans. His eyes scanned the crowd lazily—until they landed on . And everything in him froze. The disbelief in his eyes hit first. Then the pain. Like I had betrayed him. Like I’d done sothing cruel.

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t explain. I didn’t even know what I’d say if I could. But then I felt the shift in the air. That silent warning that soone powerful had entered the space. I turned slowly...

And there he was. Nathan. Walking in with his usual confident steps, but the second his eyes found mine, sothing in him tensed. His gaze dropped to Dane beside ... and his jaw tightened.

No words were said. But his eyes said everything. Disappointnt. Surprise. Maybe even a little anger.

And right then, I wondered what I’d just gotten myself into.