Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One Chapter 29: Hurt Two Hearts

Hailee’s POV

"Are you okay?" Dane, who stood beside , asked, but I couldn’t respond; instead, my eyes stayed fixed on a figure clearly approaching us.

My heartbeat quickened, and the closer Nathan got, the more my chest tightened. For a mont, I wished I could just run away so I wouldn’t have to face him, but that would be stupid of , and I refused to look stupid.

So I did the best thing I could do, which was hiding my emotions and putting on a relaxed look.

Nathan reached where I stood with Dane. He didn’t speak at first; rather, his eyes darted to Dane’s hand, which was behind my back.

I swallowed hard but didn’t pull Dane’s hand away.

Then Dane broke the silence casually. "Hi, Nat."

Nathan ignored him completely, his eyes locking on mine.

"How do you two even know each other?" he asked tightly, his voice rough, like he was trying not to explode.

I blinked. "We t at the library."

"That’s it?" he asked again, his voice rising just a little.

I hesitated.

I could lie.

Or... I could make it worse.

So I said the truth.

"He asked to the bonfire. I said yes."

Nathan’s face shifted—like he’d just been slapped.

"You said yes," he said under his breath, more to himself than to . "I asked you first."

I opened my mouth to speak, to maybe soften the blow... but nothing ca out.

Nathan scoffed, the sound sharp, then spat out, "Enjoy yourselves." He said it flatly, turned, and walked away.

I watched him go, guilt curling inside , but Dane broke in. "Wanna get a drink?" he asked, unbothered by Nathan’s anger.

I nodded because I knew a drink would clear my head, but imdiately regretted it because as we turned towards the direction of the drinks, I realized Callum was still standing there... staring directly at us.

My heart raced, but as usual, I put on a blank expression and followed Dane to the drink stand, totally ignoring the eyes of people gawking at .

When we reached the bar stand, I decided not to make it more awkward, so I forced a friendly smile. "Hi Callum."

He looked at with a soft frown, like he wanted to say more but had already decided it wasn’t worth it.

"Hey." he said plainly and just walked away.

I watched Callum walk away, his face unreadable, but I knew... I knew he was hurt.

And that made two.

Two hearts I might’ve bruised tonight just by showing up with Dane.

I turned back to the bar, forcing my shoulders to stay steady, my face calm. My insides, though? A complete ss.

Dane leaned casually against the counter beside . "You know..." he began, his tone annoyingly relaxed, "You told two guys asked you to be their date for tonight..."

I didn’t respond. I just stared at the row of drinks in front of , pretending I didn’t hear him.

"...but you never said those two were actually interested in you."

I tensed slightly but kept my expression blank. I wasn’t about to feed his ego or start another emotional ss.

"I’ll have a pineapple soda," I told the bartender flatly.

Dane chuckled beside . "Make that two."

I exhaled slowly, pretending he wasn’t getting under my skin.

Then he leaned in a little and said casually, "Well... guess that makes it three."

I blinked, confused. "What?"

He looked straight in the eye. "Three guys interested in you."

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

A slow, cocky grin curved his lips. "I’m now in."

I turned sharply to him, heat rising to my cheeks, but I didn’t let him see it. "What are you saying?" I asked, even though deep down I knew what he was saying.

He smiled and leaned over to my ear. "I think I like you, Hailee... and I want to court you."

My lips parted slightly, but no words ca out.

Dane... Dane Blackwell just said he wanted to court ?

What in the world was going on tonight?

I turned away from him, needing to catch my breath, and focused on my drink instead. I took a small sip, hoping it would cool the heat rushing to my cheeks.

This had to be a joke.

Or maybe—

Maybe I was releasing so weird scent... so kind of "attention-hungry, almost-eighteen" hormone that made all the n in the dickheads suddenly flock to like moths to a fla.

That’s the only explanation, right?

Because it was getting insane.

First Nathan. Then Callum. Now Dane?

Seriously, what the hell was happening?

I sighed and let my eyes wander around the open field, trying to escape the chaos in my chest. That’s when I saw Callum—standing at the far corner near the fire pit.

He was surrounded.

Three girls stood near him, laughing, smiling, flipping their hair way too much. One of them... was Alicia. The sa who was clinging onto Dane a mont ago.

And now she was leaning a little too close to Callum, like she wanted him.

I frowned without aning to.

Why did that bother ?

He had every right to be with whoever he wanted. And I had no right to care.

But still...

I turned my gaze quickly, feeling sothing sharp twist in my chest.

Where was Nathan?

I looked around the field, scanning every group, every corner—but he was nowhere. He had completely vanished. And sohow... that stung even more.

Because I knew I had hurt him.

I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling more terrible than ever when Dane’s voice broke through my thoughts.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I was supposed to be strong tonight. Confident. In control.

But all I felt was confused.

And maybe a little lost.

Maybe this turning-eighteen thing really was ssing with .

My eyes suddenly found Mother from across the field. She was at the food stand, busy like always. Her apron was tied tight around her waist, and she looked as if she hadn’t had a break all evening.

"I’ll be right back; wanna go say hi to my mom," I said to Dane.

He looked like he wanted to say sothing, but I was already walking away.

The mont I stepped away from his side and started crossing the field, I felt it again—all the eyes. People stared. Whispered. I could feel their questions pressing against my back.

What a beautiful dress. How was she able to get that?

Isn’t she just the cook’s daughter?

What’s she doing with Dane Blackwell?

I ignored it all, walking with my chin high and my heart pounding like a drum in my chest.

When I reached my mom, her eyes scanned from head to toe.

"You look... beautiful," she said softly, her voice almost surprised.

I smiled a little. "Thanks. You alright? You’ve been standing here for hours."

"I’m fine," she said with a small tired laugh. "Just busy, as always."

But I noticed she was searching for sothing.

She hesitated for a second, then said, "Actually, sweetie, can you help with sothing real quick?"

"Of course."

"I forgot to bring the green cooler from the mansion kitchen," she said. "The one with the spice jars inside. It’s under the counter, near the back wall. Can you grab it for ?"

I nodded right away. "Yeah, I’ll get it."

"Thank you," she said with a grateful smile. "You’re a lifesaver."

I left the field and made my way into the mansion. I entered the mansion, exchanging a few greetings with the guards before making my way towards the kitchen. Entering the kitchen, I t Nadia there...

"Nadia," I greeted quietly.

She turned to look at , surprised. "Hailee? What are you doing here?"

"My mom sent . She said there’s a green cooler under the counter—has so spice jars in it?"

"Oh, right." She walked over and pulled it out with ease. "I was just about to head out anyway. I’ll give it to your mom on my way, go have so fun."

"Thanks."

I nodded as she walked past and out the door, leaving alone in the kitchen.

I was supposed to turn and walk straight back to the field.

But I didn’t.

I just... stood there.

Then, without aning to, my eyes drifted to the staircase across the hallway.

Nathan wasn’t at the bonfire. I hadn’t seen him since he walked away.

Could he...?

My eyes stayed glued to the stairs.

He might be in his room.

My brain scread, Don’t do it, but my legs didn’t listen.

Before I even realized it, I was walking. Quietly. Slowly. Step by step, I climbed the staircase, my heart pounding louder with every move.

What was I doing?

Why was I doing this?

And yet, I kept going—drawn by sothing I couldn’t explain.

By the ti I reached the top of the stairs, the hallway stretched out in silence.

I knew which door was his.

I stood in front of it, frozen.

Should I knock?

Should I leave?