Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 239

Chapter 239: Headline News

Hailee’s POV

My head was pounding. A dull, throbbing ache that felt like someone had hit me with a hammer. I groaned softly and pressed my hand to my forehead, forcing my eyes open. Bright light. White sheets. A soft bed that definitely wasn’t mine. Panic hit me like cold water. I sat up quickly, looking around the unfamiliar room. It was elegant, too elegant, all dark wood, silver accents, and soft velvet curtains. This wasn’t my chamber in the palace.

"Where... where am I?" I whispered to myself, my heart racing. I looked down. My clothes were still on, the same dress from last night. My heels lay neatly by the edge of the bed. Nothing felt wrong, but my chest tightened anyway.

What happened last night?

I remembered the club, the music, the dance, the drink. Cira handing me another drink. Then, spinning. Losing my balance. And then—

The memory snapped like a whip. Strong arms catching me. A hard chest. The scent of something rich and clean, like rain and smoke. Before I could piece it together, the sound of water running stopped. The bathroom door opened. And out stepped Rylan.

I froze. My mouth opened, but no words came out. He was shirtless, a towel around his waist, his hair damp and messy. He looked calm, like he’d been expecting me to wake up. My heartbeat kicked up several notches.

"W–What are you doing here?"

He raised an eyebrow. "In my own room?"

My breath caught. "Your—your room?"

He smiled faintly. "Yes. You passed out last night, Hailee. I wasn’t about to leave you on the club floor."

I blinked, trying to make sense of it. "Wait. How—how did I even get here?"

"You don’t remember?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

I frowned, my voice rising with panic. "No! That’s why I’m asking!"

He chuckled softly, walking to the chair beside the bed and picking up a black shirt. "You were quite the handful last night."

I stared at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

He looked at me then, eyes amused but gentle. "You wouldn’t let go of me." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"What?"

He smirked. "You clung to me the whole way out of the club. I tried calling for your driver, but you kept saying I smelled nice and that I was ruining your fun."

My face flushed hot. "I said what?"

He laughed quietly. "Oh, there’s more. You told the bouncer you were the ’Queen of Regret,’ whatever that means, and then demanded another drink before falling asleep on my shoulder."

"Oh, my God," I muttered, pressing my hand to my face.

He chuckled again, pulling his shirt on. "Relax. I made sure you got some water and sleep. You’re safe."

I exhaled shakily, embarrassment flooding through me. "You could’ve just sent me home."

"I tried," he said simply. "You refused to let go of me long enough to do that."

I closed my eyes, groaning. "Kill me now."

He laughed softly. "Sorry, I can’t do that. You’re already famous."

My eyes snapped open. "What?"

He turned toward the desk, grabbed his iPad, and walked back. "You really don’t remember anything?"

"Rylan," I warned, "what are you talking about?"

He handed me the device. "Apparently, a paparazzi was at the club last night."

My stomach dropped. "No..."

"Oh yes," he said, almost amused. "And they got quite the picture."

With trembling fingers, I looked down at the screen. The image hit me like a slap.

Me, clinging to Rylan’s chest, his arm around me protectively, both of us caught in the golden club lights. My eyes half-closed, his gaze down on me, the two of us close enough to look intimate. The headline beneath the photo read:

"Western Lycan Princess and Southern King Spotted Together—Royal Sparks Flying?"

My mouth fell open. "Oh. My. Goddess."

Rylan leaned casually against the dresser, crossing his arms. "Well, looks like we’re dating now."

I glared at him. "This isn’t funny!"

He smirked. "I’m not the one who decided to pass out in my arms in front of flashing cameras."

I dropped the iPad onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. "Peter’s going to kill me."

He chuckled softly. "Probably. But if it helps, I told them you were safe. That’s all."

I peeked at him through my fingers. "And what did you tell them about this picture?"

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