Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198: The Council

Hailee’s POV

We were all seated having lunch when I heard footsteps coming toward the dining room.

These footsteps sounded different from the staff. The staff always walked softly so they wouldn’t make noise, but these were fast and loud. Whoever it was, they were in a hurry.

I frowned and glanced at Callum across the table. His expression changed at once—a deep frown formed on his face. It was clear he already knew who was coming.

A moment later, the door opened. Three elderly men and one elderly woman entered the room. Their clothes were fine and neat, showing their high rank. Their eyes moved over the table—first to Callum, then to me.

And then... to my boys.

The coldness in their gaze made my chest tighten. I frowned, confused and angry all at once. What had my boys done to deserve such hateful stares? They were only children.

The eldest man stepped forward, his gray beard trembling as he spoke. "So, it’s true then," he said harshly. "What Montana told us."

My brows drew together. Montana?

That’s when it hit me—these weren’t just visitors.

They were members of Callum’s council. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Callum rose slowly from his seat, his chair scraping against the marble floor. His expression was tight, his eyes dark with warning.

"Now is not the time for such a discussion," he said firmly, his gaze flicking toward the boys. "We’re having lunch."

But the elders didn’t stop.

The eldest man stepped closer, his tone rising with boldness. "With all due respect, Alpha," he began, "this cannot wait. The pack has already accepted Montana as your fiancée. She was chosen by the council for a reason."

Callum’s jaw clenched. "I said not now."

The old woman crossed her arms, her sharp eyes moving toward me. "And yet, instead of preparing for your union, you bring her here." Her voice dripped with disgust. "A single mother, from no rank, with children we know nothing about. What kind of example does this set for the pack?"

My stomach twisted. I wanted to speak, to defend myself and my boys, but I bit my tongue. They were elders—people of respect in this pack. I didn’t want to cause more trouble for Callum.

But their words... they hurt.

The second man, tall and broad, slammed his palm against the table. "Alpha, we are warning you. If you continue down this path, you risk the stability of this pack! Montana is of Alpha blood—her father commands a large territory! And this woman—" his eyes burned into me, "—what can she offer?"

My hands tightened into fists under the table. My lips threatened to move, but I forced myself to stay still.

"Enough," Callum said again, this time louder, sharper.

But the third elder ignored him. "You’re being blinded by lust, Alpha. You’ve always been too sentimental. That woman—" he jabbed a finger in my direction, "—and her bastard children will ruin you if you let her stay."

The last of my patience snapped. I opened my mouth, my voice trembling with barely contained anger. "Don’t speak about my children in such a way."

"Hailee," Callum interrupted softly, his eyes on me. He wasn’t silencing me out of disrespect—he was protecting me.

Then he turned back to his council, his entire aura changing. The air in the room grew heavy, his power rolling through it like a storm.

"I said," he growled, his voice deep and thunderous, "enough."

The table shook slightly under the weight of his command. The elders froze, their words caught in their throats. Even the boys went quiet, wide-eyed.

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