Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers novel Chapter 267

Chapter 267: Lead.

Hazel’s POV

I sat in the council chamber, Caspian at my side. We were positioned at the altar, while the others filled the seats before us. Caspian’s hand wrapped around mine—tight, grounding—because I was too emotional to pretend to be heartless today, too shaken to act like the strict, untouchable Alpha they all expected.

Cayden rose first.

"We’ve searched all of New Orleans and the neighboring territories. There’s still no sign of Aurora or Leon," he said.

My stomach twisted. The same news, every day for days. Aurora gone. Leon gone. No trace. No scent. Nothing.

And the Aurora who had been living in our palace? Not Aurora at all—a demon wearing her skin. She escaped before we could catch her.

A demon.

My sword shivered at my hip, responding to the spike of dread in my chest.

"Wife," Caspian murmured, leaning close. "Do not stress yourself like this. Aurora and Leon are strong. They must be somewhere—safe."

"But what if they’re not?" My breath hitched. "What if they’re with the demons? What if they’re trapped or hurt, and we can’t help them because of our—because of our—"

"You’re overthinking this," he whispered. "Cayden and the pack will find them. I promise."

"But when?" My voice cracked. I tugged at his vest, desperate. "Caspian, when? Tell me when."

He hesitated. "I can’t tell you when. But don’t ask me to calm down—it’s not what you need right now."

"Aurora just wants peace," I whispered. "She’s been denied it in every single way. Poor girl... she didn’t deserve any of this. I just—" My throat closed. "I just want to find her. And I want to give her the happiness she deserves."

Caspian pulled me into his chest as the tears finally came.

"Why do the worst things happen to the best people?" I whispered into him, my head throbbing, my heart splitting open.

The council meeting was just about to adjourn when the doors slammed open.

Sophia and her sisters stormed in.

She was dressed head-to-toe in black, looking like a grieving widow as she stumbled toward the altar. Then—dramatically—she dropped to her knees before me.

"Alpha... where is my husband?" she demanded, voice cracking. "Hazel, where is Leon? I—I don’t know where he is. He’s missing. Please... tell me you’re finding him."

"We are," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Trust me, Sophia. We’re searching everywhere."

But she shook her head violently. "Lies. You’re hiding him!" she shouted. "Leon never wanted me. He never loved me. And now he suddenly disappears with that witch—the one he’s always wanted." Her finger stabbed the air toward me. "You’re all helping him hide from me so he can live happily ever after with her!"

Her sobbing echoed in the chamber.

Cayden’s jaw tightened. "Lady Sophia, this is a council hall. You cannot burst in here screaming."

"This is a hall full of people hiding my husband away from me!" she screeched.

"You heard me, Lady Sophia," Cayden said, voice sharp as a blade. "Leave, before I drag you out myself."

"Cayden," I murmured tiredly, "just... let her go."

Sophia looked at me, shaking. "You’re not even going to reassure me? You’re not even going to promise you’ll find him? I knew it... I knew it. You’re hiding him."

"If we had found your husband," Cayden snapped, "we would have brought him back to you already."

He extended a hand to her, urging her to get up.

She rose shakily, clutching her stomach like she was in unbearable pain. I rolled my eyes. Such a fake bitch. Acting like she ever cared about Leon. She only cared about the title, the mating mark—finally having meaning in her meaningless life.

Her sisters grabbed her arms to help her stand.

Natasha turned and snarled at me. "We should be sisters. We should be a family, Hazel. But you treat us like strangers."

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