Fated To Three Betrayed By All Until She Rose (Leilani) by Ahvahh novel Chapter 7

**Healing Slowly But Surely**
**By R. Joseph**
**Capítulo 7: The Break Up**

Zevran.

I found myself standing behind my brothers, an unsettling turmoil brewing within me, my heart pounding wildly as the weight of their actions settled in my stomach like a heavy stone sinking into the depths of a still pond.

They were orchestrating a trap for Leilani… all for Chalice.

Under normal circumstances, I would have felt justified. After all, my desire to keep Chalice safe was just as strong, if not stronger. Yet, there was an inexplicable heaviness in my chest, a sense of foreboding that gnawed at me.

“LIAR!” Leilani’s voice, raw and hoarse, sliced through my thoughts, forcing me to avert my gaze.

It felt as if the world had conspired against her. Who would dare to stand in the way of this chaos?

I watched as she closed her eyes, a look of resignation washing over her. My heart raced as the blade pressed dangerously close to her neck, a cruel reminder of her vulnerability. And then—

A thunderous howl erupted, reverberating through the room and shaking the very foundation beneath us. A massive black wolf burst into the space, its fierce focus locked onto Leilani as it charged forward.

I stood frozen, torn between horror and fascination, as it sank its teeth into the rogue wolf that had her in its grasp. Instinct kicked in, and I shifted, joining the fray against the remaining rogues, who were now thrown into disarray.

The battle raged on for what felt like an eternity, perhaps five minutes, maybe ten, before an eerie silence enveloped us. It was only then that the reality of Leilani’s condition hit me. My mate. Our mate. She lay sprawled on the floor, bloodied and battered, a deep gash marring her neck.

I sprinted towards her, desperation fueling my movements, but I was too late. A large male had already scooped her up, his eyes wild with panic as he desperately tried to revive her.

“Leilani!” he shouted, his voice tinged with worry, an unmistakable sense of urgency. “Baby, please wake up!”

B. A. B. Y?

An icy dread gripped my chest. I turned to my brothers, who stood as immovable as statues, their expressions mirroring my own disbelief as they absorbed the scene unfolding before us.

“Girl, please don’t do this to me!” The stranger continued to plead, his focus unwavering despite the odd looks exchanged between Beta Blackthorne and his family.

When Leilani remained unresponsive, he cradled her in his arms and rushed out of the room, his gaze fixed on her face as he stumbled through the doorway.

I froze in place.

Something deep within me felt as though it had been shattered, a tightly coiled spring unleashed, leaving me gasping for air. My eyes remained glued to the door long after he had vanished, and I could sense my brothers doing the same.

“Caelum, Zevran, Kael… thank you so much!” Chalice’s sweet voice cut through my stupor, and I turned to her as if on strings, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my heart.

“What for?” Kael was the first to shake off his daze, wrapping an arm around Chalice and pulling her close.

“For what you did back there!” she replied, her tone light yet laced with concern. “Though I feel terrible that Leilani had to bear the brunt of it all because of me.”

This was the aspect of Chalice I admired—her genuine respect and care for Leilani, despite the latter’s cruel treatment towards her.

I couldn’t help but wish that Leilani could learn a lesson or two from her.

As if sensing my thoughts, Caelum nodded in agreement. “I wish Leilani was more like you,” he remarked, his voice casual, but I could see the way Chalice blushed, turning as red as a ripe beet. “But don’t worry about her. I wouldn’t mind stepping in again and again, as long as you’re safe.”

But I minded.

I minded it deeply.

Chalice then leaned away from Kael, her perfectly manicured finger trailing over my chest. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she asked, “I hope you guys won’t get mad.”

“About what?” I queried, my brow furrowing in confusion.

“Promise me you won’t be angry with Leilani first,” she said, her words rolling off her tongue as she blinked sweetly at me and my brothers.

Oh, sweet heavens, my body reacted in ways I couldn’t ignore.

“I can’t,” Kael growled, his voice low and dangerous.

“If Leilani did anything reckless, she needs to face the consequences.” That was Caelum, ever the voice of reason. I remained silent, observing them quietly while relishing the sensation of her fingers on my chest, pretending not to notice that she was doing the same to Caelum.

“I overheard her having a strange conversation with someone on the phone yesterday,” she purred, and I felt a chill run down my spine. I had overheard her too, but today, I caught her talking about leaving.

“…and after I sneakily checked her phone, I discovered she was communicating with someone about a planned attack. She was giving them our pack’s address. I didn’t understand what she meant until now… but I believe she instigated this rogue attack. And that guy who saved her? He’s in on it too.”

I froze, my mind racing.

“THE BITCH!”

“But why?” I blurted out, my voice tinged with disbelief. “Why? She was the one most harmed. Why would she do that to herself?”

Chalice shot me an impatient look, retracting her hands from my body. With a flick of her wrist, she scoffed. “Why else? She craves your sympathy!”

I glanced down at the lit screen, my breath hitching as I saw an open chat window between me and an unknown number. A message had been sent from my account, instructing them to attack our pack, with a particular focus on Chalice.

It even appeared I had sent a picture of Chalice to that number.

I gasped, “I didn’t… what the hell? What is this?”

“Leilani, stop this charade! You keep hurting me despite the fact that I’ve done nothing but love you!” Chalice snapped, her words echoing in the stunned silence that enveloped the room.

I couldn’t endure this any longer. I couldn’t bear the weight of these lies. I retorted, “You and I both know I didn’t do this! You know I would never hurt anyone. Look at me!” I pointed at the gash on my neck, my voice rising in desperation.

“We know you’ll do anything for attention.” Gavin’s voice cut through the tension, and I looked up, shocked that he would think so little of me.

One glance at my mates told me they shared the same sentiment.

“Chalice!” I pleaded, desperation clawing at my throat. “You know I didn’t do this! Tell them the truth.”

I saw malice flicker in her eyes, a darkness that sent chills down my spine. But then she looked away, bowing her head meekly at the triplets as she muttered, “She won’t admit it, but we all know she did it.”

“I did not!”

*Crack!*

My father’s hand connected with my face, sending my head whipping to the side, my lips splitting open. But I didn’t cry out. I was done with the tears.

“As I was saying…” Chalice’s voice sliced through the air, dripping with false sweetness. “Let’s not punish her, please. She seems so battered already.”

“She must be punished.” This time, it was Kael who spoke, his tone cold and unyielding. I didn’t need to turn to know that he was glaring at me; I could feel it in my bones.

“Punish her in the ways of old!” my father snarled, plunging the room into yet another tense silence. “Punish her as if she is not of noble blood… because she isn’t! Henceforth, she is no longer my daughter! Every member of my household shall have nothing to do with her!”

“Father, you’re…?”

“Do not call me father!” he seethed, his gaze piercing through me with a deadly intensity. “I am not your father, runt. I disown you!”

His words crashed down upon me like a tidal wave, leaving me gasping for breath as I registered the satisfaction etched on my family’s faces… and then on my sister’s.

I shook my head, disbelief coursing through me. “You know, that’s amusing,” I whispered, my voice trembling with unshed tears. “Because I’ve already secured a court-ordered emancipation form.”