Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers
Chapter 32: Blood and Bone

Chapter 32: Blood and Bone

~ Caspian’s POV ~

I don’t know why Cayden thought bringing Dahlia into this was a good idea, but for once... he was right. No ordinary coven would come after a woman like Hazel unless something is wrong. And if even Dahlia had to show up in our territory, laughing in chains, that meant the situation was spiraling faster than any of us could control.

Dahlia was seated now, draped in rusted iron that barely seemed to weigh on her. Her magic pulsed beneath the metal, heavy and electric. She didn’t even flinch as Cayden stepped forward, demanding answers.

"You know why they’re after my child," Cayden growled, his voice laced with Alpha authority. "You tell me this instant."

But Dahlia only smirked. "Or what, Alpha Cayden?" she teased. "Kill me? Or what lock me up again?" She lifted her hands and rattled the chains, her laugh echoing through the hall like a curse. "Release me and my coven, and I’ll tell you what they want..."

Her eyes, sharp as obsidian, dragged toward Hazel, and her lips curled. "And trust me, it’s quite... interesting."

A surge of fury built inside me. "We are not playing with you," I snapped, stepping forward until I was nose to nose with her. "You tell us what they want or I will tear your head from your neck."

Hazel’s hand found my shoulder. A soft, grounding touch. I exhaled through my nose, resisting the urge to snap the chains off her just to feel her skull crack in my hands.

But Dahlia stayed calm. "I’ve told you. Let me and my coven go, and I’ll tell you everything." Her smile was maddening.

Cayden’s next words stunned the room.

"Release her coven."

Every head whipped to him.

"No," Aurora hissed, stepping forward, her face pale. "You know what they did the last time. Don’t do this."

Dahlia turned on her like a viper. "Shut up, you traitor," she spat. "You’re a witch, betraying your own for wolves? Disgusting."

"You left me no choice!" Aurora screamed back, her eyes bright with emotion. Leon was at her side in an instant, his arms wrapped protectively around her, grounding her before her powers could spiral out.

But Cayden’s voice broke through it all.

"Leon... release her and her coven," he said again, slower this time. Then his eyes cut back to Dahlia. "But mark my words no witch will come near the High House. No one lays a hand on my wolves. If you’re smart, you’ll leave New Orleans entirely."

"You know we can’t," Dahlia replied smoothly. "Our ancestors dwelled here long before your kind built your palaces. But I agree none of us will step foot in your High-house."

Cayden bent to remove her chains. The sight alone made my stomach twist. I hadn’t forgotten the last time she was set free none of us had.

"Son," our father said from behind. "Don’t you think we should discuss this with the Council—"

"There’s nothing to discuss," Cayden interrupted. "My child is in danger. You’d do the same if it were me, wouldn’t you?"

His words struck something deep. Silence stretched. Father said nothing else.

Cayden stood, now face-to-face with Dahlia. "You’re free now. So tell me. What did they want?"

Dahlia looked at him like she was bored, then casually shrugged off his arm like it was filth. She walked toward Hazel, and instinctively, I pulled her behind me, shielding her body with mine.

Dahlia tilted her head. "That child she’s carrying is... curious. I wonder why. Is it the mother?" She glanced at Hazel. "Or the father?" Her eyes slid to Cayden.

Cayden’s growl was low and deadly. "You mean to tell me you don’t even know?"

She smiled and spoke a single word. "Versa."

The reaction was instant. Cayden stumbled back as if slapped. Every wolf present growled, the name twisting something primal in us. My wolf, Nizen, was already clawing at the surface.

Dahlia rolled her wrists. "Feels good to have my magic again," she whispered. "Those ugly chains were such a nuisance."

"Speak," I demanded, my voice no longer human.

"Well..." She shrugged again. "I’ll need to perform a small spell. But I’ll need a drop of her blood."

"No." I stepped forward, Nizen nearly taking over. "You’ve been pushing your luck, but this...this crosses a line. You’re not getting a drop of her blood!"

Dahlia simply smiled. "Then I’m done here."

She turned to leave.

"Wait." Hazel’s voice rang clear.

I turned sharply. "Hazel"

"I’ll give you my blood." She stretched out her hand. Her voice was calm, but her eyes trembled. Still, there was resolve in her. Fire. f.(r)eew ebnov\ll.com

I tried to stop her, but she shook her head. Just once.

Dahlia came forward with a glint in her eye, producing a thin, silver pin. Before it touched Hazel, Cayden stepped forward, his voice cutting the air.

"If you do anything to hurt my child," he said low, leaning into her ear, "I will punish you so badly, you’ll beg for death. And when death finally comes you won’t find peace. Because you’ll find me waiting in hell."

Dahlia actually shivered.

She pricked Hazel’s palm, collecting a single drop of blood. Then she turned to me.

"We’ll need to place her on a table."

I signaled the guards. Within seconds, a wooden table was set. Gently, we lifted Hazel and placed her down. Dahlia rubbed the blood between her palms, began chanting in a strange tongue, then placed both hands on Hazel’s stomach.

Hazel flinched. Sweat beaded down her forehead. And that’s when someone took my hand.

I turned—Natasha.

She was smiling. As if she belonged here.

What is she even doing here? Then I remembered she’s now a mistress...my mistress

I gently pulled my hand away. She scoffed and retreated, moving instead to Cayden’s side.

I focused back on Hazel.

Suddenly, Dahlia flinched and reeled back from Hazel like she’d been burned.

Her eyes were wide with something close to... fear.

"We need to get rid of that child," she breathed.