Desired By Three Alphas Fated To One (Hailee) novel Chapter 274

DANE'S POV

She was beautiful.

Not pretty.

Not cute.

Beautiful.

Her eyes were wide and glassy.

Her lips parted in shock.

Her long hair fell in messy waves over her shoulders.

Her chest rose and fell too fast—like she had been running for hours.

Her clothes were torn.

Her arms had scratches. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Her feet were dirty.

She looked exhausted. Terrified.

But her scent…

Her scent was the most perfect thing I had ever inhaled in my life.

My mate.

My mate.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, her eyes rolled back suddenly.

"No—wait—"

I lunged forward and caught her before her body hit the ground.

Her head fell against my chest.

Her breathing was fast.

She fainted in my arms.

I stared at her face—stunned, shaken, and overwhelmed—while my wolf whispered softly:

"We found her."

And for the first time in years…

I felt something warm bloom in my chest.

Hope.

Real hope.

I held her tighter, brushing a strand of hair from her face as I whispered:

"You're safe now. I've got you."

I didn't waste a second.

With her unconscious in my arms, I gently lifted her—my mate—holding her as if she were made of fragile glass. Her head rested against my chest, her breath shallow and uneven, her skin cold from running gods-know-how-long through the forest.

My chest tightened painfully.

Who did this to her? Why was she being chased? Why was she wearing a collar meant to suppress or chain a wolf's spirit?

A growl built deep in my chest, low and promising blood.

Anyone who dared hurt her…

I would end them.

But first—

I had to get her to safety.

I carefully opened the back door of my car and placed her inside, lowering her gently onto the seat. Her hand slipped from mine as I adjusted her, and something inside me cracked at the sudden loss of contact.

My wolf whimpered loudly.

"DON'T LET GO OF HER."

"I'm not," I muttered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Calm down."

But the truth was…

I didn't want to let go either.

I closed the door softly, walked around to the driver's seat, and started the car. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary as I drove toward my pack grounds—fast, but careful enough not to jerk the car and disturb her.

Every few seconds, I glanced at the mirror to look at her.

My mate.

Her lips parted slightly as she breathed.

Her lashes were long, touching her cheeks.

Her hair had fallen all over her face again.

Her arm rested beside her small waist.

Her collarbone was visible.

Her skin pale.

Too pale.

And the damn silver-wolf-suppressing collar shimmered faintly against her neck.

My wolf growled.

"That collar is hurting her. It's choking her wolf."

I frowned deeply. "I know. I'll remove it."

"No. You can't," my wolf snapped. "Silver will burn her. And the lock—only an Alpha with immense aura can break it."

My jaw tightened. "I'll break it."

"You need the healer first."

I exhaled shakily.

The drive felt too long. Every second I wasn't helping her felt like a sin.

Finally, the pack gates came into view.

The guards ran forward to open the gates—then froze when they saw me holding someone in the backseat.

I didn't wait for questions.

I drove straight in.

My house stood at the center of the territory—tall, strong, the Alpha mansion glowing under the early evening light.

As soon as I parked, staff members gathered outside, whispering, shocked at the sight of me carrying an unconscious woman.

My chest grew tight.

"What were you running from?" I whispered to her unconscious form. "What did they do to you?"

Her lips trembled slightly, like she was trying to speak. A small whimper escaped her throat, weak and soft.

I leaned closer, cupping her cheek.

"You're safe now," I murmured. "I've got you."

My wolf nuzzled inside me.

"Touch her again."

I brushed my thumb along her jawline, unable to stop myself.

Her skin was soft.

Her breath fanned against my fingertips.

Her heartbeat, though faint, was steady.

Gods… she was beautiful.

I leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead—just above the collar—letting my lips linger for a long moment.

The contact sent a shock through me.

Warm.

Electric.

Right.

"I've found you," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion I couldn't hide.

"I've finally found you."

As I pulled back, she shifted slightly in sleep, turning her face toward my hand as if searching for warmth.

My heart melted straight out of my chest.

I gently tucked the blanket around her again.

And the realization hit me like a punch:

My life had changed.

Right here.

Right now.

Forever.

I sat beside her, my hand lightly touching her wrist as I whispered:

"No one will ever hurt you again. I swear it on my life."

Just then—

The door burst open.

The healer rushed in, carrying a small wooden box and herbs.

"Alpha Dane," she gasped, staring at the unconscious woman. "Who is she?"

I didn't hesitate.

"My mate."