Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 15

**Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph**

A million more stairs to conquer.

Leilani.

An unbearable ache throbbed in my heart, and my lips quivered as if jolted by a current of electricity. I stumbled blindly toward my room, each step heavy with regret and dread.

Now, as I reflected on my decision, it was clear: returning here with Zevran had been a grave error. I should have anticipated the chaos that awaited me.

A monumental mistake.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks, blurring my vision as relentless memories of Chalice’s unconscious form invaded my thoughts. I could still see her, sprawled helplessly, and the image haunted me as I reached my room. Moments ago felt like an eternity away, yet I couldn’t shake the scene from my mind—how Chalice had met with that unfortunate fate.

How she…

The moment I had crossed the threshold into the house, I had barely begun my ascent up the stairs when Chalice had appeared out of nowhere. She seized my arm with surprising force, spinning me around until I found myself staring directly into her icy blue gaze, which was filled with an unsettling blend of fury and disdain.

“Why are you here?” she hissed, her lips twisting into a malevolent sneer. “Why haven’t you disappeared yet?”

For a heartbeat, I stood frozen, stunned into silence. My heart raced violently, pounding against my ribcage, and a cold sweat broke out across my skin.

“Ask Zevran,” I replied flatly, desperate to avoid a confrontation. Not today, not when my heart felt so fragile. “I didn’t want to return. He’s the one who came to bring me back.”

Her frown deepened, a dark shadow crossing her features. She scoffed, the sound dripping with sarcasm. “The way you phrase it, one would think Zevran longs for your presence, that he pleaded to have you back…”

“Then you might want to ask him that yourself,” I interrupted, ignoring the look of disbelief etched across her face. “Now, can you please let go of me?” I snapped, yanking my arm free from her grasp, my breath hitching as she stumbled back, clearly taken aback.

There was an unexpected power behind my action, a strength I hadn’t known I possessed. I wasn’t as weak as I had believed…

Do I really have a wolf?

Her eyes widened, almost comically. “Leilani…?” The surprise on her face was unprecedented. She glanced from my hands to my face, her mask of cold indifference slipping momentarily. But then, with a venomous glare, she spat, “You’ve become unruly.”

“Just like you’ve always been,” I shot back, my voice sharp.

Her gasp was audible, but I had no intention of lingering in this exchange. I turned away, ascending the stairs with determination. Yet, just as I reached the top, her voice sliced through the air, sweet yet taunting.

“You know, it’s not my fault your mates chose me. It’s not my fault our parents adore me, and all I have to do is pout to have them fawning over me. Maybe you should stop being such a brat and accept your defeat.”

I pivoted to face her, an involuntary smile tugging at my lips. “They chose you,” I drawled, “I know. But it’s also not my fault they can’t bear to be away from me. And it’s definitely not my fault your fiancés are too cowardly to reject me outright and put an end to this nonsense!”

Her jaw dropped, and she seethed, “You—”

But I waved her off, dismissing her with a flick of my wrist. “Tell them to stay the hell away from me. And since you’re so skilled at manipulating them, perhaps you could help me convince them to let me go. I’m done being their pawn. Do you understand?!”

Her expression darkened, a storm brewing in her eyes as she approached me, her face contorting with rage. “When it comes to the triplets, the only edge you have over me is that ridiculous mate bond, and you never hesitate to flaunt it.”

“Just as you never hesitate to flaunt their ridiculous love for you,” I retorted, my voice dripping with disdain. “Or are you upset now because the mate bond isn’t something you can easily fake like everything else you’ve pretended? Does it sting that you can’t just pick it off a shelf at Target?”

She gasped, her indignation palpable. “Oh, that’s rich! At least they love me! And you can’t just purchase their affection at Walmart either!”

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