Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 87

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

Kael.

Once everyone had departed, I found myself lingering behind. I had spun a tale to my brothers and Chalice, claiming I needed to take a drive around town to clear my mind. But the truth was far less innocent; I had a singular destination in mind—Leilani’s house.

Yet, as I parked outside her home, I was struck by an inexplicable paralysis. My heart thudded wildly against my ribcage, each beat echoing the urgency of my desire to see her. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel, staring at her front door with a mixture of longing and fear. But despite the fervent need within me, my body refused to cooperate.

I needed to see her. I needed to speak to her. But courage eluded me like a fleeting shadow.

With a heavy sigh, I turned the key in the ignition, preparing to leave this place behind when, as if the universe had conspired to intervene, her front door swung open. My breath caught in my throat as she emerged, dressed in a pair of soft grey shorts and a simple black tank top. Her hair was pulled back into a casual ponytail, and the remnants of her makeup had been washed away, leaving her face refreshingly bare.

In that moment, she was breathtaking. No, she was more than that—she was ethereal, a vision of understated beauty.

I felt a primal urge surge within me, an overwhelming desire to draw closer, to envelop her in my arms.

Goodness, Kael! Get a grip!

Logically, I should have driven away. I should have averted my gaze from her, from the way she effortlessly tossed a garbage bag toward the bin outside. I should have turned my back when her hips swayed with an intoxicating grace.

But instead, I found myself rooted to the spot, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

“Leilani!”

The name slipped out before I even realized what I was doing. As if struck by lightning, she froze mid-motion and turned to face me. But the moment her eyes met mine, a shadow passed over her expression, and the serene aura that had enveloped her dissipated like mist in the morning sun.

Does she really despise me that much?

‘If I were her, I’d feel the same way,’ Zephyr, my wolf, murmured in my mind. I brushed aside his comments, focusing solely on Leilani.

She took a step back, tossed the garbage into the bin, and hurried toward the safety of her home. But I was quicker. I didn’t even recall when I exited my car or how I managed to close the distance between us. All I knew was that my hand had wrapped around her wrist, compelling her to spin around and meet my gaze with a fierce glare.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she growled, her voice laced with irritation.

At that moment, my mind went blank, a vast emptiness where words should have flowed. I stuttered, struggling to articulate my thoughts. Her raised eyebrows and tilted head only added to my embarrassment.

“Cat got your tongue?” she teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

No, it wasn’t a cat that had silenced me; it was the overwhelming urge to kiss her senseless.

What is wrong with me? When did I become this desperate?

“I just wanted to talk,” I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

She regarded me with disbelief, then shrugged her arm free, crossing them defiantly over her chest as she tapped her foot impatiently. “You can start talking now. I have a guest, and you’re wasting my time.”

The words hit me like a physical blow.

Against my better judgment, I let my eyes drift down her figure, taking in how alluring her attire was, how it clung to her curves in a way that made it hard to breathe. Her long legs were on full display, and I couldn’t help but think they looked far more appealing than the Fettucine Alfredo I had for breakfast.

My throat suddenly felt parched, and I swallowed hard. “I wanted us to talk somewhere more… private.” I gestured around us, hoping she would understand my unspoken plea to enter her home.

Leilani glanced around, then shrugged nonchalantly. “Here’s just fine. We should talk here.”

“Why can’t we go inside?” I snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. Her eyes narrowed as she shot me a look that could freeze fire.

My heart sank. “Why?” I blurted out, immediately realizing how foolish the question was. “I know what I did with Caelum was inhumane. I understand how difficult it will be for you to forgive me, but please, can you promise to at least think about it?”

“No.”

Goddess, her gaze was piercing, and it made my insides twist with longing. Her lips, soft and inviting, drew me in, and I found myself lost in thoughts that were anything but innocent.

I craved her in a way that felt primal, a hunger I had never experienced before—not even with my supposed fiancée.

Emotions swirled within me, leaving my chest tight and my body trembling with desire for the woman standing before me.

She raised her eyebrows at me, ready to speak, when suddenly, another voice called out, “Lani, baby?”

What?

“Baby, where are you?”

My heart plummeted to the depths of despair. The person in her house—her date—had just called out to her, and they had used the term ‘baby’ instead of her name.

Rage ignited within me, flooding my veins and constricting my chest. But when I turned toward her door, I was taken aback.

Her so-called date was not a man at all; it was a woman with a vibrant mane of pink hair.

I exhaled a long, incredulous sigh. “Your guest is a woman?”

Leilani’s smile was radiant, almost mocking, and it made my heart race for all the wrong reasons. “Why do you worry so much about my guest, Alpha Kael? Have you met them before?”