Desired By Three Alphas Fated To One (Hailee) novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266: Decision

Hailee’s POV

Warm sunlight brushed across my face when I finally opened my eyes.

For a moment, I didn’t know where I was.

Then I felt fingers sliding slowly through my hair... gentle, careful, worshipful.

Nathan.

I blinked up at him. He was lying beside me, propped on one elbow, his green eyes soft and full of something so deep it almost hurt to look at.

"Good morning," he whispered, smiling a little.

My cheeks flushed remembering everything that happened last night. Everything we did. Everything we crossed.

But before I could say anything, I noticed something else.

His bandage.

It was gone.

I sat up fast. "Nathan—your injury—"

He looked down at himself, then at me. "It’s healed."

Completely healed.

No wound. No scar. Nothing.

I stared with wide eyes. "How is that even possible?"

He exhaled slowly, his voice quiet.

"We need to talk."

My heart dropped.

I knew what was coming.

"Nathan..." I whispered, already tired.

He shook his head, pain flashing in his eyes. "Hailee, listen. Yesterday... what happened between us... it shouldn’t have happened."

I stiffened, feeling the sting like a blade.

He cupped my cheek quickly. "No—don’t think that way. I wanted you. God, I wanted you more than anything. But your life—your child’s life—is still at risk."

I looked away. "We’ll figure something out."

"Hailee," he said firmly, "nothing is more important than your life. Not even my love for you."

His voice cracked at the word love.

I swallowed, frustration rising. "You’re giving up too easily."

"I’m trying to save you!"

"And I’m trying to save us!"

The room fell silent.

Both of us breathing hard. Both of us hurting each other without meaning to.

Before either of us could speak again, my phone began to ring on the nightstand.

I glanced at the screen.

Peter.

I answered. "Hello?"

"Hailee," he said, sounding rushed, "the jet will arrive soon. Be prepared."

My stomach twisted.

I hung up slowly and turned to Nathan.

He watched me with a tight jaw. "He’s coming."

Before I could respond, a knock came at the door.

"Miss Hailee... Alpha Callum has arrived. He is downstairs."

My breath froze.

Nathan’s entire body stiffened beside me.

"I don’t want to see him," I whispered.

Nathan closed his eyes, exhaling heavily. "Hailee... you have to."

"I don’t," I snapped.

"He is the father of your child," Nathan said quietly. "And that man is also in love with you."

His words hit like a slap.

I felt heat rush to my face—anger, guilt, and confusion. "Why are you pushing me toward him?"

"I’m not," he murmured. "I’m pushing you toward staying alive."

I didn’t want to hear any more.

I stood, grabbed my robe, and stormed out of the room.

As I walked down the stairs, I could feel Nathan’s eyes burning into my back... but I didn’t stop.

Callum was standing in the living room, looking anxious, tired, and guilty.

He stood up the moment he saw me. "Hailee..."

I crossed my arms. "What do you want?"

He swallowed hard. "I’m sorry about yesterday. I lost control. I shouldn’t have yelled. I shouldn’t have touched you. I was wrong."

I didn’t answer.

He took one step closer. "But you need to think about the baby. Our baby."

I looked away. "There has to be a way. A different way. Something we’re missing."

Callum’s voice broke. "Why don’t you love me? What does Nathan have that I don’t? What does he give you that I can’t?"

The pain in his voice made my chest tighten.

I opened my mouth to respond—

But the atmosphere suddenly shifted.

A strong, cold, dangerous presence filled the room.

Nathan.

He walked in slowly, his gaze sharp as glass, locked directly on Callum.

The tension exploded instantly.

Callum’s nostrils flared. He sniffed the air. His eyes darkened.

"You slept with her," he said quietly, deadly.

Nathan didn’t deny it.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t look away.

Callum stepped closer, rage building. "You touched her while she carries my child?"

Nathan stepped forward too. "It’s not your place to judge what she chooses."

"She’s mine!" Callum roared.

"She’s hers," Nathan snapped back, jaw tight. "And she can choose who she wants."

They were inches apart now—shoulders tense, hands balled, wolves rising, anger vibrating in the air like lightning.

"STOP!" I screamed.

Both men froze.

Breathing hard. Staring at each other with deadly eyes.

"Stop fighting over me like I’m an object!" I yelled again. "I’m tired. I’m scared. And I have no idea what I’m supposed to do right now."

Silence.

Heavy. Cold. Painful.

Callum looked at me first, guilt flooding his expression.

Nathan looked away, jaw clenching, breathing hard.

Both of them waiting for what I would do next.

Nathan stood stiff beside me, chest rising and falling too fast, jaw locked tight.

Nathan looked down at the floor, shoulders tense, as if he was bracing for what would come next.

Callum took a step toward me. "Hailee, the healer said—"

"I know what she said," I cut him off. "But I am done letting fear make choices for me."

His jaw clenched. "You’re risking your life."

Nathan finally looked up, jaw tight. "She knows that."

Callum’s voice broke. "Hailee... I don’t want to lose you or the baby."

"Then stop trying to control me," I whispered.

He froze.

My breath shook, but I held his gaze.

"I will not be marked by someone I don’t love."

Callum staggered slightly at the words, like they physically hit him.

He ran a hand through his hair, his voice breaking. "Why him? Why is it always him?"

My heart squeezed painfully.

Because he heals me. Because he listens. Because he chooses me even when it hurts. Because he loves me.

But I didn’t say any of that.

Instead, I whispered, "I don’t know what to do yet. I don’t know what’s right or wrong. But I know what I feel. And I know what I won’t allow."

Callum’s breath hitched. "Hailee—"

"I will never terminate this pregnancy," I said firmly. "And I will never let anyone pressure me into a decision I’m not ready to make."

He stared at me, chest rising and falling sharply.

Nathan finally stepped forward, his voice calm.

"You heard her."

Callum glared at him. "Stay out of this."

"She’s not your property," Nathan replied coldly.

"And she’s not yours!" Callum fired back.

Both men took a step closer.

My heart jumped. "STOP!"

They froze—again—because of me.

Tears rolled down my cheeks freely now.

"I can’t handle both of you fighting. Not right now. Not when my whole world is already falling apart."

Nathan bowed his head slightly.

Callum’s face crumpled with guilt.

I wiped my cheek with a shaky hand.

"I need time," I whispered. "I need space. And I need both of you to respect that."

Callum swallowed. "Hailee... please don’t shut me out."

"I’m not," I whispered. "But right now... you hurt me."

Callum’s shoulders dropped. "I’m sorry."

I nodded, but the hurt was still fresh.

Nathan watched quietly, every muscle in his body protective and tense.

For a moment, none of us spoke.

The weight of everything hung over all three of us.

And then—

A knock sounded at the door.

A guard came through.

"Miss Hailee... the jet is ready."