Fated To Not Just One, But Three Chapter 354: Trick

Lennox’s POV

My chest hurt so badly it felt like I couldn’t breathe. My heart was pounding, and my eyes burned with tears I didn’t want to let fall. Levi looked so weak, his breathing shallow, and I felt like the world was slipping out of my hands.

I spun toward Louis, my voice breaking. "Call the healer!" I shouted, panic shaking through .

But Louis didn’t move. His face stayed calm, too calm.

"If Olivia can’t heal him," Louis said slowly, "do you really think anyone else can?"

The words hit like a knife. My wolf growled inside, furious. My teeth clenched, and a growl rumbled from my chest. "Don’t say that!" I snapped. "Don’t you dare tell my brother can’t be saved!"

I pressed my hand against Levi’s chest, desperate to feel sothing—anything. My vision blurred again, but I forced the tears back.

My chest eased a little when I felt it—Levi was breathing. Slow, steady breaths. Relief flooded so hard I almost collapsed right there.

I bent closer, pressing my forehead to his shoulder. "Levi..." my voice cracked. "Don’t ever scare like this again. You hear ? I love you, brother. I love you so damn much. You drive crazy sotis, but I wouldn’t trade you for anything. Not in this life, not in the next."

The confession tumbled out like water breaking through a dam. "I’ve carried you since we were kids, always trying to shield you... but the truth is, you’re the one who’s kept alive. You and Louis. Without you, I’m nothing. Do you hear ? Nothing."

I wrapped my arms around him tightly, hugging him as if letting go would make him vanish. My wolf cald just a little, soothed by the sound of his breathing under my cheek.

And then—

A sound.

A low, soft chuckle.

I froze. Slowly, I lifted my head. Levi’s lips were curved into a small, smug smile. His eyes fluttered open just enough to et mine, and then—he chuckled again.

"You love that much, huh?" he teased, his voice weak but full of mischief.

My heart stopped. My mind spun.

Realization slamd into like a blade to the chest.

He wasn’t fainted.

He wasn’t sick.

He was smiling.

The bastard had tricked .

No, they tricked .

My breath caught in disbelief, my arms dropping away as the truth hit . "You... you’ve been deceiving ," I whispered, my voice trembling with rage and relief.

My whole chest felt tight, like I couldn’t breathe. Relief and betrayal tangled inside until I didn’t know which one was stronger.

"You... you were faking?" My voice ca out quieter, pained. I looked between Levi and Louis, my throat burning.

Levi’s smirk disappeared, his eyes softening. "We had to, Lennox. You weren’t listening to us. You were tearing yourself apart. We didn’t know what else to do."

I swallowed hard, my hands flexing uselessly at my sides. "Do you know what it felt like—thinking I was losing you?" My voice cracked despite how angry I was at myself, and I shook my head. "I thought... I thought my brother was slipping away right in front of . And I couldn’t stop it."

Levi’s teasing expression vanished completely. He reached for my arm. "I’m sorry. I really am. But I had to see it, Lennox... had to hear it. That you still cared. That you still loved , even after everything."

I let out a shaky breath, my wolf pacing inside , not angry—just exhausted. "I’ve always loved you, Levi. You and Louis both. Nothing changes that. I just... wish you hadn’t forced it out of this way."

Louis finally spoke, his voice gentle. "We weren’t trying to hurt you. We just needed to bring you back."

I rubbed a hand over my face, sighing deeply. The raw ache in my chest was still there, but the anger had drained out of . In its place was just weariness—and, reluctantly, a flicker of gratitude that Levi wasn’t in danger.

"Next ti..." I muttered, glancing between them, "don’t trick like this. Find another way."

Levi chuckled softly, but there was no arrogance in it now—only warmth. "Noted, big brother."

Despite the heat of my anger, the corner of my lips twitched. Just a little.

"I think we need to sit and talk." Olivia’s voice finally broke the silence.

I swallowed and nodded.

She turned her gaze on . "Can you do that now?" she asked gently, her aning clear—my drunkenness.

Her words sank into . Sit and talk. She was right. We needed it. But the thought of sitting here now—reek of alcohol still clinging to , my head pounding, my emotions hanging by a thread—it felt impossible.

I swallowed hard, running a tired hand over my face. "Let take a bath first," I murmured, my voice low but steady. "I need to clear my head before we do this."

Olivia’s gaze lingered on , worried and concerned as if she was weighing whether or not to push. Finally, she gave a small nod. "Alright. But don’t take too long."

I didn’t trust myself to answer with words. Instead, I rose to my feet, my steps heavy and sluggish as I turned toward the door. The silence behind was thick, but no one stopped .

In my room, I stripped out of my clothes and let the warm water pour over . Steam curled around my shoulders, heat seeping into my aching muscles. I braced my hands against the tile, letting the water wash away the sweat, the stench of alcohol, the fear that had clawed its way through .

For a long mont, I just stood there, my chest rising and falling, listening to the steady rhythm of the water. My wolf was quieter now, soothed by the cleanse, but not silent.

"They love you," he murmured, firm. "Don’t push them away."

By the ti I stepped out and pulled on fresh clothes, my head felt lighter, clearer. The storm inside had dulled. I was back to my sanity.

When I returned to Levi’s room, they were all still there. Louis leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes on the mont I stepped inside. Olivia sat close to Levi, her hand resting lightly on his arm, her gaze lifting as I entered.

"I’m ready," I said quietly, eting her eyes. "Let’s talk."