Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers Chapter 44: Danger

**~ Cayden’s POV ~**

I stood in front of her door, paralyzed by the sounds leaking through. Moans. Soft, desperate... familiar.

I didn’t know why it hit like a blade between the ribs. She had chased out like I was nothing. Like I wasn’t the damn father of the child growing inside her. Like our night didn’t an everything. Still, I had no right to stand there, feeling offended.

I should leave.

But Ragnar—Ragnar had other ideas.

My wolf was howling beneath my skin, restless. His gaze had locked on her the mont we caught a glimpse through the half-open door. That nightgown clung to her body in all the right places—thin enough to betray the soft peaks of her nipples, delicate enough to leave every curve on display.

He wanted her. Desperately. He wanted to rip that gown off and take her again like we did that night wild, reckless, fated. The night that got us here.

But I and Ragnar made a promise to each other.

We would stay away.

My jaw clenched, and I forced myself to turn away. I had to go. I was halfway to my chamber when Leon intercepted .

"Alpha," he said quickly, bowing his head. "Elder Obrian and Sir Claus called for a council eting. They want all of us present."

I nodded. "Let’s go."

"But sir, Beta Caspian is also needed—you can go I’ll go get him." He said turning away

I paused, then placed a firm hand on Leon’s shoulder. "Caspian’s busy at the mont. I’ll take his place."

Leon blinked. "What?"

"I said let’s go," I snapped, and we turned toward the eting room without another word.

The chamber was tense when we entered. Everyone was already seated—except Caspian, of course. I moved to my chair, scanning the room: Sir Klaus, Elder Gina, Leon, Aurora, My mother ... Obrian and the rest.

I leaned back, folding my arms. "What was so important that you called an impromptu eting, Obrian? This better not be a waste of ti."

He stood slowly, eyes gleaming with sothing between concern and conviction. "Thank you, Alpha, for giving the floor," he said. "I have an observation I must share."

Before he could continue, Gina let out a sigh. "An observation? You called a full council eting because of a feeling? Couldn’t you speak to one of us first before dragging everyone here?"

"I understand your frustration," Obrian said. "But I promise you—this isn’t a waste of ti. I believe... Dahlia is alive."

Gasps echoed around the table.

"What?" mother choked out. "You saw her?"

Obrian shook his head. "No. But I feel her presence. I believe she’s been in the outskirts... and more than that, I think she’s been inside the High House. Recently."

Gina scoffed. "You’re suggesting the most dangerous witch of our ti waltzed into our ho unnoticed? We all saw her die. She was executed publicly."

"I never said I saw her face. But I know what I sensed. Yesterday, near the west wing. And then I found this." He reached into his robe and placed a small bundle of dried herbs on the table.

The scent was unmistakable. Witches herbs

Obrian turned to Aurora. "No other witches are allowed here. Aurora, do you recognize these herbs? Were they used by you?"

Aurora leaned forward, inspecting them carefully. Her brows pulled together. "No... I’ve never used this combination before."

"Exactly." Obrian’s voice was low. Grim. "Only a witch would carry these. And not just any witch—these herbs are used for cloaking, tracking... and immobilization. All signatures of Dahlia’s magic."

My stomach turned.

Hazel. My mate. My child. If Dahlia was alive....Hell No!

I clenched my fists. "If what you’re saying is true—then Hazel is in danger."

Obrian nodded. "Exactly. We need to remove her. Quietly. Without letting Dahlia know we’re aware of her presence. If Hazel stays here, she becos a target. Her child—Our future heir is in serious danger. I suggest we send her away. Tonight."

"With Aurora," He added. "She’s powerful, and she can cloak them both."

Sir Claus cleared his throat. "That herb is enough proof for . It’s witchcraft, without a doubt. But sending Hazel away...That’s a dangerous ga."

"I agree," Mother added.

"I’m not asking," I said, my voice steel. "We’re doing this. That herb proves Dahlia is alive. Aurora, you’ll leave with Hazel. Tonight. You’ll be relocated to the Parkhouse far from New Orleans. No one will know your location."

Aurora looked stunned. "Wait. Tonight? You’re just going to force her to go? Without even telling her?"

"She’s pregnant with my child," I growled. "I’m protecting them both. She doesn’t get a vote."

Aurora’s mouth opened to argue, but I cut her off. "Are you working for or for Hazel?"

She looked down, defeated. "You," she whispered.

"Good. Then prepare. You leave tonight."

I was about to stand and walk out when sothing caught my eye.

A damn smirk slithered across O’Brien’s face—faint, like a shadow overlaid on his skin. No one else seed to see it. But I did.

And that was enough.

My fists clenched. O’Brien was shady. He had always been shady. I hadn’t forgotten the way he voted against becoming Alpha. The way he avoided eye contact during my crowning. And now suddenly—he cares about Hazel? About mychild?

No. This isn’t concern.

This is calculated.

It was his idea to send Hazel away. He presented the herb. He spun the tale of Dahlia’s return. And now, like a loyal fool, I had gone along with it. My wolf, Ragnar, snarled inside . The hairs on my arms bristled.

Don’t trust him, he growled in my mind.

And he was right. I’d been too eager. Too focused on protecting Hazel that I didn’t stop to question the source of the warning.

Aurora was right. I should be overseeing this entire matter, not blindly following a shady bastard’s plan. If anything went wrong, it would be on . If she disappeared and never ca back—

No. That wasn’t happening.

I stood, jaw set.

"This eting is disposed," I announced coldly, already storming out before anyone could question .

But I didn’t go far.

I waited and like clockwork, O’Brien was the last to leave the council chamber. He didn’t head toward the entrance like a man ready to leave the High House. No—he went deeper inside.

My eyes narrowed.

I followed silently, making sure to stay hidden. My pulse hamred as I watched him move through the halls like he’d done it a thousand tis. Like he knew the path.

And then he stopped.

Right in front of his room.

Cyrius.

My heart stopped.

He knew.

O’Brien didn’t knock. He didn’t open the door. He just stood there, brushing his fingers over the wood like he was greeting an old friend. Then he smirked.

My blood ran cold.

He turned and walked away casually, but I didn’t follow. I couldn’t.

He knew about Cyrius. And he was keeping it to himself. First, he warns us about Dahlia. Then he wants Hazel gone. And now this?

He’s hiding sothing—sothing big.

I needed to tell soone. Imdiately.

So I rushed to Hazel’s chambers, ready to drag Caspian out by the hair if I had to. But the second I walked in, the air hit —thick with sweat, sex, and that scent that made Ragnar nearly lose control again.

Caspian sat on the bed, shirtless, his robe barely tied. Hazel lay across the pillows unmoving.

Panic clawed at .

"What’s wrong with her?" I snapped.

Caspian said tightly. "She just... passed out."

"Then why isn’t she breathing?"

"She’s breathing," he growled back, "barely. This isn’t the first ti. Rember when she tried to escape? Sa thing happened. She collapsed. High fever. Hot skin."

I stepped closer, my heart thudding. She was burning up. Her skin glistened with sweat, and her body was limp. "What happened? What were you doing when it happened?"

Caspian narrowed his eyes. "You know damn well what we were doing. Don’t push , Cayden."

"You were having sex while she’s unstable?"

" we were having sex then she passed out!"

"Call Aurora. Now."

"She’s busy," I snapped. "We’re sending Hazel away tonight. And she’s packing because she’s following her, I don’t want her forgetting anything important.

Then she coughed. Her consciousness was slowly drifting back.

"Cyrius," She muttered.

"What the hell is Cyrus’s na and presence suddenly doing everywhere? First O’Brien... now Hazel’s? Did you tell her about him?"

"She already knows," Caspian said calmly.

I grabbed him by the collar. "You told her?"

"I didn’t have to. She saw it."

"What did you see?" I turned to Hazel, even though she was unconscious. I needed to know what she knew. I needed to understand why all of this was happening so fast.