Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers
Chapter 33: A Womb of Shadows

Chapter 33: A Womb of Shadows

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~Hazel’s POV~

"That child is an abomination. That child needs to be gotten rid of," she said.

Her voice didn’t sound like it belonged in this room. It turned—low, dark, guttural. Like something ancient had just borrowed her tongue. It was Dahlia, yes—but it wasn’t her. Or not the Dahlia I’d met.

My breath caught in my throat.

This was the second time I’d heard those exact words.

The first time was in my dream.

The one I’d convinced myself was just a nightmare.

But now, hearing it spoken again... like an echo rippling through my bones...

I shot up from the table.

My chair clattered backwards.

Caspian was by my side in a blink. His hand on my lower back. His other hand reached for my hand, trying to keep me steady. I barely noticed when Cayden moved.

He was on her.. Dahlia..faster than I could blink.

His fingers wrapped tightly around her throat, lifting her just enough to draw a sharp gasp from the onlookers.

"What do you mean, my child is an abomination?" Cayden’s voice thundered. I could feel it in my chest, vibrating through the air. "I told you to tell me. Why are the damn witches and wolves after my child’s life? Why are you calling my child an abomination? How dare you?"

But she didn’t flinch.

Dahlia just looked him straight in the eye with an eerie calmness, like she’d already accepted something none of us knew.

"I’m only saying the truth," she whispered hoarsely.

She twisted her face from his grasp and stared blankly ahead. "You don’t know what I saw."

"Then say it!" Cayden’s roar made even the walls seem to tremble.

"WHAT. DID. YOU. SEE?!"

Dahlia’s lips quirked slightly, and her tone turned almost pitying.

"I cannot say it," she said, voice hollow. "But I will advise you. Even if it hurts you, or this pack... or even if you love your own life... get rid of that child. Kill it. Kill that monster, before nature does."

A beat passed. Then another.

And then.

CRACK.

A sound like a tree snapping in half.

Her neck twisted grotesquely as Cayden’s hand snapped it cleanly, ruthlessly. Blood spurted like a fountain as her lifeless body slumped to the ground with a sickening thud.

She was dead.

Dead right there in the war room. In front of the entire pack council.

Gasps filled the room. A few witches shrieked. One of the elders stood in stunned silence, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Cayden turned slowly, blood splattered across his neck and collarbone.

His voice rang out, hard and final.

"This is what happens when you go against your own word." He gestured to her lifeless form. "She promised she’d share what she saw. She broke that vow."

His eyes flicked to the shadows near the door. "Aurora," he said, low and sharp.

Aurora stepped forward cautiously, her face pale.

"You will be the new leader of your coven," Cayden announced, with absolute authority.

She shook her head immediately. "Alpha... you know that’s not possible. My coven already hates me. I betrayed them... for you. They’ll never allow me to.."

"Then whoever they choose next," Cayden cut in, "I’ll make sure I befriend that one. It’ll be nice having your old coven under my fingertips."

Aurora’s lips parted in disbelief. "You think they’ll work with you after you just killed their leader? Do you think that’s how this works?"

Cayden smirked. "They have no other choice, Aurora."

Then, his gaze turned to Caspian.

"Brother," he said more softly, "please take Hazel to her room. She needs rest."

Caspian didn’t speak. He just gently slid his hand into mine, holding it tightly. Protective. Grounding. I followed him, numb, unable to find my voice.

Once we were in his room—away from the tension, the blood, the madness—I finally let my breath out. It felt like I’d been holding it for hours.

My hand trembled as it found its way to my stomach.

What does this mean?

Why would they say my baby is an abomination?

Caspian’s arms wrapped around me from behind. His voice was low and calming against my ear.

"Dahlia plays tricks. She always has. Don’t let her words get to you, Hazel. She’s a cunning woman. You must know that."

I gave a small nod. But his words were paper trying to cover fire. I wasn’t soothed.

He walked me to the bed and gently laid me down. Then brought a warm cup of coffee for me to drink. I tried to smile for him. Tried.

"I’ll leave you to yourself," he said, brushing my hair back. "I’ve got things to handle. But I’ll call Aurora. She’s the only person you’ve truly bonded with here."

"No..." My voice came out barely a whisper. "I need my sister. Ariel."

His brow furrowed.

"You know that’ll be hard. Marcus won’t let us just take her. You know how he is."

"You’re the Beta, Caspian," I said quietly. "And he fears you. I’m her sister. I need her. I need her."

He exhaled deeply and nodded. "I’ll try."

But he still added, "Until then, Aurora will stay with you. She’s a witch. She can check on you... and the baby."

He left soon after.

I curled my hand again around my belly, trying to feel a heartbeat, a flutter, anything.

But I felt... nothing.

I swallowed hard.

Then whispered to myself, "I’ll protect this baby. No matter what."

I drank the tea. Ate the bread.

Eventually, I drifted into sleep, heavy and dreamless at first—until...

Suddenly, I was there again.

That place. That other place.

The one I thought was just a figment of a troubled mind.

But it was real.

I stood in the middle of a dark, loomy forest. The trees reached up like arms into an endless black sky. A bone-deep chill swept through the air, raising goosebumps on my skin.

What am I doing here again?

I tried scratching my arm with a branch, hoping pain would wake me up. Nothing. Not even a sting.

That’s when I saw it.

Smoke—curling up from a spot ahead. Pale and purple, almost glowing.

I moved toward it.

There, kneeling by the source, was a woman.

Blonde hair. Striking green eyes. Eyes that looked just like Aurora’s.

Her aura—familiar and frightening. Like Dahlia’s

A witch.

She looked up and smiled.

"I knew you’d come. You’re special, aren’t you? Very special." Correct content is on NovelFire)

She patted the ground beside her.

"Sit."

I hesitated, but sat cautiously. How did she bring me here? Was I summoned?

"You look exactly like her," she murmured.

"Like who?" I asked.

Her lips curled.

"Don’t worry. I’ll need you. There’s something I want to tell you."

"Why am I here?" I asked, my voice small.

She ignored the question.

"Hazel, isn’t it?"

I nodded slowly.

*"I’m not here to harm you. I’m here because of that."

She looked down—at my belly.

I instinctively wrapped my arms around it. Protectively.

"Don’t worry," she said. "I won’t hurt it. But I must tell you the truth behind those witch words."

My heart pounded. How did she know? What’s happening?

"That child... is not the abomination," she said.

I blinked.

She leaned closer.

"You are."

I flinched.

"You... and the one you slept with... are not ordinary. Your child... is a force against nature. The two of you should never have created life together. But now, it’s here."

She looked me dead in the eye.

"And that means everything is about to change."