Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers
Chapter 35: Mystery

Chapter 35: Mystery

~Hazel’s POV~

My hand trembled as everything suddenly began to make sense.

"Where did you say you found this?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper.

Ariel looked at me and replied, "I found it in Dad’s study. It’s your mom. Dad told me she was your mother. He said she ran away after giving birth to you... and was later found dead. I tried to ask more questions, but he just shrugged me off and walked away."

My mind was reeling, trying to process everything. And then like an echo I heard the old woman’s voice again, whispering in my head: "You look just like her."

Was this the woman she was talking about? My mother?

I stared at the picture in my hand, my grip tightening. My breath hitched. She looked exactly like me—same soft brown hair, same hazel eyes, same delicate facial structure. We were identical, like doppelgängers separated by time. It was uncanny. Overwhelming. I couldn’t breathe.

I must’ve been shaking, because Ariel gently touched my hand.

"Are you okay? Should I go get Beta Caspian? He’s downstairs. He told me to come upstairs, but if you’re not okay"

Then I heard her again—me.

"No, no, no. It’s fine, Ariel."

But it wasn’t fine. I was trembling. Tears welled up in my eyes without permission.

"Hazel, are you sure? You’re crying," Ariel said, concerned. "You’re pregnant. I don’t want to risk anything happening to you or the baby."

"Ariel," I said more firmly, clutching her hand, "I said I’m fine. Honestly. It’s just that... I’ve never seen a picture of my mother before. And realizing she looks exactly like me—it’s strange, right?" I smiled weakly, trying to lighten the mood and distract her.

She slowly nodded, still unsure.

"I just need some water," I added. "That’s all. Just water."

Ariel looked around for a maid, but finding none, she said, "Don’t worry. I’ll go get someone," and quickly slipped out the door.

As soon as she was gone, I clenched the picture tighter, my nails digging into the edge.

What the hell is going on?

The room suddenly felt like it was closing in on me. I couldn’t stay here. I had to get out. I had to find Aurora. I needed answers—now.

And almost like fate answering my call, Aurora walked through the door. Without thinking, I grabbed her and quickly shut the door behind her before Ariel could return.

She looked startled. "What? Isol?" she said, yanking her hand from mine.

I didn’t say a word—I simply held up the picture.

Her eyes widened. "Is that... is that a picture of you?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "That’s my mother. Remember that witch? The one who said I looked just like someone? I think this is who she meant."

Aurora took the picture from my hand, examining it closely. "Are you sure? Who gave this to you?"

"Ariel—my stepsister. She came in earlier and showed it to me. She’s gone now."

Aurora’s face grew serious. "Hazel, listen. I found something—the location the witch had written on that old paper. It’s just two hours from here." She tugged me to sit on the bed beside her. NovelFire

"I know you’re not just some ordinary girl, Hazel. You’re different. You can see visions. And Dahlia...she knows something. She always has. Ever since she first laid eyes on you that night, when you were revealed as the Moon Chosen. I saw it in her face. That smirk... it was like she already knew. And the vision of the child—it’s all spiraling out of control."

She paused, then looked at me intensely. "But the reason I’m certain you’re not human is because I tested you."

I stared at her, heart pounding. "That night... the vision. When we shook hands..." I trailed off.

"Yes," Aurora nodded. "That memory you saw—of a younger version of me—that wasn’t an accident. I placed it in my palm, and when we touched, you saw it. That was the test. You are special, Hazel. I don’t know what you are yet... but I want to find out. Still, I don’t want to do this without Caspian and Cayden’s consent. We need them."

I cut her off, my voice sharp.

"Do you think Cayden will take it well? Caspian, maybe. I trust him. But Cayden?"

Aurora sighed. "Then let’s just tell Caspian"

"No," I said quickly. "If Caspian knows, Cayden will find out. I trust Caspian too, but I have this feeling... we shouldn’t tell them. Let this stay between us. Just us girls. We can make the trip tonight. It’s only two hours. We’ll go and come back before dawn." I looked at her, pleading.

"Hazel..." she breathed. "You’re asking a lot."

I grabbed her arm, desperation rising in my chest.

"This is about my child. This is about me. I need to know who I am."

She looked into my eyes for a long moment before finally nodding. "Fine. We’ll go tonight. We’ll be back before morning. But if that witch tries anything, I swear I’ll end her."

"I know you will. I trust you," I whispered.

Aurora stood. "I’ll come pick you up tonight. Don’t fall into a deep sleep I’ll be knocking on your window."

I nodded slowly, feeling both terrified and oddly relieved. She gave my arm a gentle squeeze and then we both jumped at a sudden noise.

We turned to the door and froze.

Caspian and Ariel stood there, Ariel holding a cup of water in her hand.

I heard you needed water and something was wrong with you," Caspian broke the silence as he stepped into the room, Ariel quietly at his side. Aurora, catching the cue, slipped away with a quick wink in my direction before vanishing from sight.

Caspian walked over and sat beside me on the edge of the bed, his expression full of concern. He reached out, gently checking my temperature with the back of his hand.

"And how are you doing now? Everything alright?" he asked softly.

"It’s fine, Caspian," I replied quickly, trying to sound more stable than I felt. "I just had a terrible dream. That’s all."

He gave a small nod. "I was the one who sent Aurora here to check on you. Ariel told me she found you alone, visibly shaken, and crying. I couldn’t just stay away."

"I appreciate it. Really. But I’m okay now."

He studied my face for a moment, then said, "Good. I was actually in the middle of something, so I’ll go now. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

I nodded silently.

Before he stood up, he leaned in and gently kissed my forehead. Then, without another word, he turned and left the room.

"Aww, isn’t he so romantic?" Ariel cooed, blushing slightly as she closed the door behind him. She turned to me with a dreamy expression. "Oh my god, this is exactly like the man you used to tell me about. The one from all those books—treating you like a princess, like something out of a fantasy novel. Isn’t it?"

I smiled despite myself. "Yes... it really is."

She sighed and plopped down beside me on the bed, bouncing slightly on the mattress. "I hope I find my own Caspian one day," she said wistfully.

Then, grinning mischievously, she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. "Don’t worry," she added playfully, placing both hands on her own stomach. "I’m Mini Hazel. And Mini Hazel is going to find her own Mini Caspian."

I laughed, the sound light but a little forced, my thoughts still spinning.

"Are you sure the baby’s a girl?" I asked, raising a brow. Correct content is on NovelFire)

"Um, I just know," she said confidently. "I hope it’ll be a girl. I really do."

She beamed again, resting her head back on the pillows. I rubbed my palm against my own belly, trying to steady my breathing.

My heart was still racing. Would Aurora come back soon?

Caspian hadn’t heard anything or so I hoped. But Aurora might’ve thought he heard.

I just needed her to come. I needed to leave. I needed to end this mystery once and for all.