Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 225

Chapter 225: Who will you choose

Hailee’s POV

We were preparing to go to the council for the first hearing. Peter had assured me again and again that everything was in my favor—that I had nothing to fear—but somehow, my hands wouldn’t stop trembling. My chest felt tight, my heartbeat quick and uneven, like I was walking toward something I’d been running from all my life.

Nathan, Callum, and Dane weren’t ordinary men, nor were they ordinary Alphas. They were powerful, respected, and feared. Each of them commanded not only their packs but also the loyalty of others beyond their borders. They had influence that stretched across territories and alliances that could shift the Council’s decisions in a heartbeat.

Especially Nathan. His pack, the full moon pack, wasn’t just powerful—it was strategic, political, and deeply connected. He had a voice that could silence a room, and I knew he wouldn’t come here unprepared. He would fight with everything he had, and that scared me more than anything.

Oscar, Oliver, and Ozzy were having breakfast together while I just sat in a corner, quietly watching them. Since the truth came out, they hadn’t really talked to me. In fact, I could probably count the number of words they’d said to me so far. Because of that, I was tense. I knew the council would ask them a few questions, and I was terrified they might speak against me.

I took a deep breath and stood up, forcing myself to speak. "Boys," I said softly.

They didn’t look up.

"Oscar," I tried again. "Oliver. Ozzy. We need to talk."

Oliver finally raised his head, his expression blank. "About what?" he asked flatly.

I swallowed. "About today. We’re going to the Council. They might ask you questions about what’s been happening about who you want to stay with." My voice wavered slightly. "And I just... I want to prepare you."

Ozzy put his spoon down, but he didn’t look at me. "You mean they’ll ask if we want to stay with our fathers or you?"

The words hit harder than I expected. "Yes," I whispered. "Something like that."

Oscar leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "And what do you want us to say, Mother?" His tone was calm but sharp, too mature for his age.

I blinked, caught off guard. "I want you to say what you feel," I said carefully. "I just want you to be honest."

Oliver let out a quiet, bitter laugh. "Honest? You want us to be honest now?"

I froze.

He looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, but his voice was steady. "You lied to us for years. You told us our father was dead. You said we didn’t need anyone else. And now we find out everything we believed was a lie."

"Oliver..." I started, but my throat closed up.

Oscar’s voice came next, colder, firmer. "You didn’t trust us with the truth. You didn’t even trust us to know who we were."

Tears filled my eyes. "I was protecting you," I whispered. "You don’t understand."

"No," Oscar cut me off. "We understand perfectly. You were protecting yourself."

His words stabbed deep.

Ozzy looked between his brothers and me, his small face scrunched with confusion and hurt. "Why did you hide them from us, Mom?" he asked softly. "Did you think we wouldn’t love them? Or that they wouldn’t love us?"

My vision blurred. "No, baby, I—"

Oscar pushed his chair back suddenly, the sound sharp in the silent room. "Stop calling us ’baby.’ We’re not little anymore. We know what you did."

Oliver’s voice trembled when he spoke. "The Council doesn’t need to ask, Mom. I already know who I want to stay with."

My heart dropped. "Oliver, please—"

He looked away, his lips tightening. "With my father. He didn’t lie to me."

Ozzy’s chin quivered. "Oliver..."

Oscar put a hand on his little brother’s shoulder, his eyes still on me. "We’ll tell the truth, Mother. That’s what you asked for."

I couldn’t breathe.

They stood slowly, one after another, and walked toward the door. Ozzy paused for a second, looking back at me—hurt flashing in his small eyes—then followed his brothers out.

The room fell silent again.

I pressed a trembling hand to my mouth, trying to hold back a sob. I had prepared myself for the council’s judgment, but not for theirs.

My sons practically hate me. They would prefer to go live with their fathers they barely know than live with me. But what did they expect? For them to forgive me so easily?

Through the glass door, I saw Peter walking toward us. He paused when he saw my face, then his expression darkened.

"They’re angry," I said quietly, my voice breaking. "I’ve lost them, Peter. My own children hate me."

Peter sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "No, Hailee. They’re hurt, not lost. But you can’t fix this with tears. You face the Council, then you face them. One truth at a time."

I nodded weakly, wiping my eyes.

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