Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 73

**Healing Slowly But Surely**
*By R. Joseph*

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Ignored desires and imposed obligations.

Zevran.

I jolted awake, my heart racing and an undeniable throb radiating from my groin that demanded my attention.

With a low groan, I shot up in bed, rubbing my face in an attempt to shake off the remnants of sleep. But as reality settled in, I froze in disbelief. It had all been a dream—a wild, chaotic, erotic dream that clung to my consciousness like a stubborn shadow.

Vivid images flashed through my mind, each one more tantalizing than the last. I couldn’t help but groan again as the memory of her creamy, glistening skin, slick with sweat, flooded my thoughts. It was impossible to forget the way her full, round breasts swayed with every thrust, a sight that had ignited a fire within me.

And those lips—plump and pink—parted in an O-shape each time I found that sweet spot deep inside her. My body still hummed with the sensation of her trembling legs wrapped around my waist, as if they were trying to ensnare me in a web of danger and ecstasy.

She was a siren… my siren.

But it wasn’t Chalice who had invaded my dreams; it was Leilani.

Cursing under my breath, I flung the bedcovers aside, my eyes widening in shock at the sight of my throbbing erection, straining painfully against the confines of my pants. It craved—no, it yearned—to be buried in the warmth that had enveloped me in that dream.

Yet, I pushed those thoughts aside, forcing myself to get through the morning in a daze. Minutes later, I stumbled into the breakfast room, only to be met by the sour expressions of my brothers, mirroring my own mood.

From their downcast faces and the peculiar way they shuffled, I instinctively knew they were suffering from the same affliction that plagued me.

But why now? Why us? And why Leilani?

“Earth to Zevran!” Caelum drawled from his seat beside me, his cutlery scraping against his plate as he turned to face me, annoyance etched on his features.

My hand hovered over the glass of water in front of me, but the effort to lift it felt insurmountable. I couldn’t even bring myself to touch the food laid out before me; my appetite had vanished completely.

“I’m on earth,” I mumbled, feeling a mix of irritation and confusion.

“You certainly don’t look like it,” he retorted, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. Yet, even he seemed off this morning—there was a noticeable bulge in his pants that he couldn’t quite hide.

“We’re heading to the hospital to see Chalice today,” Kael interjected suddenly, his tone matter-of-fact. “I’ve asked the servants to gather some gifts for her. Once she’s discharged this weekend, we’ll finalize our marriage rites.”

My eyes widened in disbelief at his words, the surprise crashing over me like a wave. One glance at Caelum confirmed he was in on this too. I frowned, irritation bubbling within me. “You guys have discussed this without me?”

“Yes,” Kael replied, letting his fork clatter onto his plate of scrambled eggs. “We have. And honestly, I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.”

“It’s a big deal because you didn’t bother to ask for my thoughts! You didn’t care to see if I even wanted to marry—”

“Marry Chalice?” Caelum scoffed, cutting me off with a dark chuckle. “Who else would we even marry if not her? Seriously, think about it.”

“She’s been promised to us for ages,” Kael added dismissively. “It’s only logical to make it official now. No one will be hurt by this.”

With every word they spoke, the metaphorical knife in my chest twisted deeper. I slammed my fist against the table, ignoring the chaos that ensued as several items toppled over. Caelum’s rice spilled, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“I know she’s been promised! I’m aware of all of it, but can’t this whole marriage nonsense wait a few more months? Why does it have to be so sudden? How long have you been planning this?”

“Since yesterday…” Kael replied nonchalantly, and I rolled my eyes, frustration boiling over.

“Yesterday!” I seethed. “You two decided to get married to her by the weekend? Just like that?”

Fortunately, I had taken a cold shower and exercised earlier, so I was the only one at the table not sporting a visible bulge. They fell silent, and I understood what that silence implied—they had been caught.

But what I couldn’t fathom was why they were so eager to rush into a wedding simply to ‘compensate’ Chalice. Whatever happened to their usual grand gestures? Where were the extravagant gifts, the penthouses, the luxurious pieces, or the plans to whisk her away for better treatment?

Unable to endure their company any longer, I turned sharply to leave the dining room, only to halt abruptly as a maidservant rushed toward us.

Her name was Gale, one of our oldest staff members. She bowed deeply, pressing her hand against her chest as she exclaimed, “It’s Lady Chalice, Alphas! We just received a call from the hospital. She has been hemorrhaging badly for the past two hours, and there’s no more blood left in the reservoir that matches her type. She’s running out of time!”

My heart plummeted. I turned to my brothers, and the panic etched on their faces mirrored the dread coursing through my veins.

Both Chalice and Leilani had Rh-null blood types, as rare as they were difficult to find, especially in moments as critical as this.

My heart raced as the words tumbled from my lips before I could think. “What should we do now?!”

Caelum’s eyes glinted with a wicked light as he turned to me, a smile spreading across his face that sent chills down my spine. “Leilani and Chalice share the same blood type. We should get Leilani to donate since she’s the cause of this whole mess in the first place.”

“But… she wouldn’t agree to that!” I protested, my frown deepening. “We can’t force her if she doesn’t want to.”

“Then we should kidnap her,” Kael suggested with cold conviction. “Like Caelum said, she’s the reason this all happened. It would be fitting if she were made to help end it.”

With that, he strode away, Caelum following closely behind, leaving me standing there, confusion and rage roiling within me.

And yet, beneath it all, there was an unsettling feeling—an inexplicable urge to protect Leilani.

Without a second thought, I dashed out of the house.