Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19: The coffin

Author’s Note: Bonus Chapter Because It’s My Birthday! 🖤

~ Caspian’s POV ~

The council meeting was short and precise and as soon as it ended, I rushed to my chambers. The door clicked shut behind me, and the weight of everything hit me like a steel wall. I ripped off my shirt and threw it aside, letting my skin finally breathe.

Nizen...

The shift still clung to me. I could feel my wolf pacing just beneath the surface, still too close, still too agitated. We hadn’t bonded fully in days. I needed to let him speak.

"Hazel." His voice came sharp and deep in my mind. My wolf’s voice was never soft, but this time it carried more than command. It carried longing.

I exhaled, rolling my shoulders.

I felt it too.

Meeting Hazel had changed everything. The moment I scented her, my body stopped moving on autopilot. The bond was undeniable. I had the maids send one of the best dresses in New Orleans for our wedding. But a question still needled at the back of my mind like a splinter I couldn’t remove.

Is she truly human?

Before I could spiral further, a gentle knock echoed against the door.

My brows furrowed. No one should be on this floor. "Who’s there?" I called out.

"Aurora."

That name was enough to jolt me upright.

Aurora wasn’t just anyone. She was the only witch allowed within our pack’s borders—hell, the only one welcome in all of New Orleans. And even then, barely. Wolves were still bitter about what the witches had done—trapping us in our wolf forms under the Blue Moon’s curse. It had taken years to break it.

Cayden broke it first.

But Aurora had helped him free the rest of us. Without her, we’d still be feral, buried in fur and madness.

Still, her presence here, alone, unguarded?

I yanked my shirt back on and flung open the door, grabbing her by the wrist and yanking her inside before anyone saw her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed, scanning the hallway before shutting the door. "You’re supposed to stay in your chambers. The others would tear you apart if they saw you roaming freely."

"I’d love to see them try," she said with that smirk that never seemed to fade. She walked further in, her movements slow and deliberate, like a queen entering her throne room. Her long red hair gleamed under the lantern light, and her emerald eyes were sharp enough to slice steel.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You’re insane."

"No," she said smoothly, seating herself on the edge of my bed like she owned the place. "I’m here for something important."

I crossed my arms, waiting.

Then she reached into her cloak and drew out three strands glowing, silver-threaded strands of energy, hovering gently between her fingers. The air crackled.

"What is that?" I asked, eyes narrowing.

"Mating strands," she said, her voice unusually serious now. "Proof that the triplet brothers of this pack have each found their mates."

"Yes," I said cautiously. "We have."

My brows furrowed. Why was she telling me what I already knew?

"I said triplets, Caspian," she said, her tone deliberate, slow, and unnervingly calm. "Not two brothers."

I frowned. "We are triplets. Or we were. One died. Cyrius died. Cayden killed him."

She didn’t blink.

"Then explain why THREE strands are glowing." she emphasized on the ’Three’.

My entire body stilled. I stepped back slightly, unsure whether I’d heard her correctly.

"No," I muttered. "No, that’s not possible. He’s dead. Death doesn’t unlink a bond. That must be it. Even in death, we’re connected."

Aurora rose to her feet, slowly walking toward me. "These strands only appear for the living, Beta Caspian."

My breath hitched.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked, my voice lower, dangerous.

"I have access to the coven’s ancient spellwork now that they’re gone. When triplet alphas are born, witches prepare their fated prophecies ahead of time. Three strands were made when you were born. When a mate is found, their corresponding strand glows."

She raised them again. All three pulsed with soft golden light.

"Cyrius... is alive. Breathing. Somewhere."

The words sliced through me like a serrated blade. My legs buckled slightly as my mind tried to keep up.

"No," I whispered. "Cayden said he killed him. I remember—he said—he saw it happen."

"Then Cayden lied," she said. "Or he thought he killed him and Cyrius survived."

"I’ll kill him," I growled, blood roaring in my ears.

I stormed for the door.

"Versa!"

Aurora’s voice rang out, and instantly, I froze—paralyzed by magic. I snarled, my jaw tightening as I fought the invisible binds. My muscles trembled against the spell.

"Please," she said softly, stepping forward. "Don’t tell him I told you. He might come for me."

She waved her hand, releasing me.

Without another word, she disappeared into the shadows, cloak swirling behind her.

I didn’t waste time.

I bolted from my room and raced through the hallways, storming past stunned guards and startled maids.

"Cayden!" I yelled, throwing open his chamber door. "Cayden!"

Empty.

Of course. He was always in one place after council meetings. The rooftop. His sanctuary. His hiding spot. His cliff’s edge.

I didn’t walk.

I jumped.

My body landed soundlessly on the rooftop, and there he was—sitting on the edge, bottle in hand, staring at the moon like it held the answers to his sins and atrocities he commits.

He didn’t even turn at the sound of my landing.

"Want to join me, brother?" he asked, voice too calm.

I didn’t reply.

I lunged at him.

My hand wrapped around his throat and shoved him back so fast the bottle shattered against the stone. His legs dangled over the edge. One slip, and I’d throw him off.

His eyes widened in pure shock.

I growled, voice like fire in my throat. "Where is Cyrius?"

His heartbeat spiked. That was all the answer I needed.

Out of sheer, burning rage, I shoved Cayden off the rooftop.

I expected to hear bones snap, maybe a scream, at least a hard thud—anything that would satisfy the fury clawing at my chest. Something to match the betrayal. And maybe a few hours’ worth of damage to give me space before we had our "discussion."

But not even a second later...

He was behind me.

No crash. No blood. No broken bones. Just... there.

Back on the rooftop like nothing had happened.

I didn’t turn to face him. I didn’t have to. I could feel the force of his power behind me like static in the air, a reminder of who he truly was. Sometimes I forgot—forgot that Cayden had shifted early, that he became an Alpha at just fourteen, that power never really left him. It simmered beneath his skin like a living weapon.

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