Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Sacrifice

**~ Cyrius’s POV ~**

They told me to stand back as they lit the candles around the half-fallen tree—where they had placed the babies. The air shifted, thick with incantations and strange power. The atmosphere was no longer natural; it had turned darker, heavier.

Then they started crying.

First Heather, then her brother.

Sharp, guttural cries. Cries that pierced through me like daggers.

I stepped forward immediately, heart racing, but one of the witches held me back.

"Don’t worry," she said quickly, her voice calm but her eyes watching me closely. "They’re fine. It’s just the beginning of the sacrifice. I’m sure they’ll survive it."

Survive it? The hell did she mean by that?

She could see it in my eyes—I wasn’t playing around. I didn’t care how powerful their little spell was. I wasn’t about to let these babies suffer.

They’re like mine now.. I’ve been with them since birth. I know their cries, habits, what makes them calm down, and what triggers them. I kept my damn sanity because of them.

But the witches didn’t stop. They began circling the tree stump, forming a tight barrier around the twins until I could no longer see them. Only their cries echoed back to me, muffled, but real. Painful.

I gritted my teeth.

"Calm down, Cyrius," I whispered to myself. "This is for the greater good. Think about the future. Think about the power."

But my heart was pounding like war drums. My whole body was on edge.

"Are you sure nothing’s going to happen to them?" I turned to the witch who was still standing beside me.

"I’m sure," she nodded softly. "You just need to breathe. If you need a break, take one—"

And then Heather let out a scream. Not just a cry.

A scream and it was high-pitched. Guttural. Painful. Before I even realized it, I snapped.

I shoved past the witches, ignoring their protests. I tore into the circle and grabbed both babies from the half-tree, wrapping them into my arms. Their cries began to settle immediately as I cradled them against my chest.

"You idiot!" one of the witches shouted. "You ruined the sacrifice! We’ll have to start all over!"

"I don’t give a damn," I snapped, glaring at them. "I said no pain. I meant it."

Their chanting stopped. I walked away from the circle, still holding the twins close. Their bodies were warm against mine, still a little shaken, but safe.

I found a quiet patch under a tree and sat down. With one arm holding both of them close, I reached into the small cloth pouch at my side and brought out the coconut milk. Heather nuzzled her face into my chest while her brother—still unnamed—looked up at me with that familiar frown.

"Shh," I whispered, feeding them slowly. "You’re alright. I’ve got you."

A quiet voice sounded behind me. "You’re quite the passionate uncle."

I turned, already on edge, but it was the same witch from earlier. The one who had first brought me to the coven. She sat beside me without asking.

"I’m not here to harm them," she added quickly, raising her hands. "If anything, I should be afraid of you. You’re stronger than me right now."

"Then you shouldn’t be sitting so close," I muttered.

She smiled faintly. "I’m Davina, by the way." She offered a hand, then noticed mine were full.

"Ah, right. You’re a bit occupied." I said nothing.

She studied me and the twins. "You’re... really good at this," she admitted. "That was, you know, until you kidnapped them. But they’re quiet. Calm. Well-fed. You’d be a great father."

"These are Hazel’s babies," I said after a pause. "She’s my mate. That makes me their dad. Technically."

Davina tilted her head. "So you named them?"

I nodded. "The girl is Heather."

"Oh my god," she breathed, "It fits her so well."

I looked down at the boy, still unsure. "I haven’t named him yet."

"What about... Sebastian?" she offered..."Sebastian?" I echoed.

"Yeah," she shrugged. "It feels right. That scowl? He’s definitely going to break hearts when he grows up."

I huffed. "I’ll think about it."

She nodded, then turned serious. "Cyrius... I want you to understand something. We’re witches, yes—but that doesn’t mean we’re cruel. We’re not trying to harm the babies. The scream you heard from Heather? That wasn’t pain—it was power. We were removing magic from them. Draining some of it. They’re too powerful right now. If we don’t channel it out, it could consume them before they even grow teeth."

I swallowed hard. She was right. They looked fine now. Breathing normally. Warm. Safe.

"It’s just... a little pain," Davina said gently. "They’ll survive it. But you—" she looked me dead in the eye, "you’re going to need to decide if you’re strong enough to finish what you started. Because this won’t be the last sacrifice."

I looked down at the babies.

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