Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 24

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

Leilani.

This was not where I wanted to be. The last place on Earth I wished to find myself was amidst the very people who had shattered my spirit time and again, inflicting wounds that ran deeper than anyone could fathom.

Yet, Jay insisted I needed this.

He had urged me to emerge from the shadows that had cloaked me for far too long, to carve out a space for myself in a world that felt so foreign.

And so, against my better judgment, I stepped into the lively hall tonight, fully aware that it was a den filled with my adversaries, a gathering of those who thrived on my misfortunes.

As I entered, the atmosphere shifted. Every gaze in the room turned toward me, and in stark contrast to the timid girl I once was, I stood tall and unwavering. I lifted my chin slightly, striding further into the room with the confidence that Maya, my fitness instructor, had drilled into me.

My breath hitched in my throat when a pair of familiar blue eyes caught my attention from the far corner, but I quickly averted my gaze, my heart racing, and let out a smile as Jarek came into view.

“You made it!” he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement, drawing astonished looks from those nearby. Ignoring their astonishment, he enveloped me in a warm embrace, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I’ve missed you terribly! Look at how much you’ve blossomed!”

“You look quite grown up yourself,” I replied, my tone teasing, “…and every bit the abominable Alpha everyone can’t stop chattering about.”

His laughter, rich and deep, wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. Then, lowering his voice to a playful whisper, he asked, “Are you jealous?”

“That you’ve amassed such a massive fan club?” I scrunched my nose in mock disgust. “Eww, absolutely not! But I must admit, people do get a bit green with envy when they hear I have you wrapped around my little finger.”

He chuckled again, and I couldn’t help but notice the astonished expressions on the faces surrounding us.

While Jarek was an adorable presence by my side, it was no secret that he was the most sought-after enigma to everyone else. I could easily understand why the crowd was so taken aback by his laughter.

– And that was because he rarely laughed.

Especially not in public.

He grasped my hands gently, leading me toward a cluster of business moguls gathered at his side. Some of them were faces I recognized, while others were complete strangers—men I was more than happy to meet at this moment.

“Hello everyone, allow me to introduce Ms. Sinclair, the leading Engineer at Frostelaw, Inc., and the brilliant mind behind our three most recent groundbreaking innovations.”

As soon as he made that announcement, the men around us turned their attention to me. Some nodded respectfully, some extended their hands for a handshake—my grip was firm—and others simply offered polite smiles and brief nods.

“Thank you for having me. I trust you fine gentlemen are enjoying a splendid evening?” I greeted softly, my smile widening as they responded warmly, with several making an effort to stand closer to me.

“She’s so young.”

“It’s astonishing to see someone so young possess such talent.”

“She’s absolutely stunning.”

Compliments rained down on me from every direction, and I could only smile through it all, while ignoring the piercing glares from the women nearby who likely resented my presence—or perhaps loathed the fact that their men were so effortlessly praising me.

If looks could kill, I would have been a goner by now.

But they couldn’t, so I survived. Just then, Jarek gently squeezed my arm and leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. “I can see you’re feeling uncomfortable. Let’s find a quieter spot to sit.”

I flashed him a grateful smile and followed his lead. However, we had barely taken a few steps when three pairs of familiar grey eyes appeared before us. I froze, my heart hammering in my chest.

“Leilani…” Jarek murmured softly beside me. I turned to him, and he added, “They aren’t worth your energy. Try not to let their presence affect you.”

I offered him a thankful smile, then turned my attention to the men—my mates—who had somehow grown into striking figures over the years. I drawled, “Kael, Zevran… Caelum. I didn’t think I’d have the displeasure of seeing you again.”

I watched them freeze, confusion etched on their faces. It dawned on me that they didn’t recognize me. Had I truly changed that much?

But Kael’s confusion was short-lived as he narrowed his eyes at me, the realization hitting him like a cold wave.

“Leilani…?” he said slowly, as if testing the name on his tongue, and for some unfathomable reason, hearing him say my name so softly ignited a fire of rage within me.

I snapped, “Ah, I see you still possess a functioning brain, Alpha Kael. How have you been?”

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