Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 199

Chapter 199: The Letter

Hailee’s POV

The letter was short. The handwriting was jagged, cruel, and scrawled in what looked like red blood.

"You have touched the lion’s tail. Be ready to get burnt," it said.

My hands went cold. I read the line twice, then a third time, as if the words would change. Who would send this? Montana? One of the elders? Or someone else who wanted me gone from Callum’s life?

I wanted to run to Callum and show him the letter. I wanted him to hold me, to shout at whoever did this. But I didn’t want to make more trouble for him. The council was already angry. Montana was already making trouble. If I made a scene, things could get worse.

All I could think was Monday. I couldn’t wait for Monday to come so I could just leave this place. My life and that of the boys might be in danger.

Hours later, I was unable to stop staring at the letter. Even after I hid it deep inside my drawer, the words burned behind my eyes. They kept replaying in my head.

My heart hasn’t stopped racing since. No matter how many times I told myself it was just a threat, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was not just a threat.

By the time night came, I couldn’t sleep. The boys were safe in their rooms, but I sat by the window, my knees drawn to my chest, watching the moonlight spill across the floor.

Then came the knock.

I froze. "Who’s there?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It’s me," Callum’s deep, familiar voice responded. "May I come in?"

My chest tightened. I quickly wiped my face and stood, brushing down my dress before opening the door. He stood there, the dim hallway light casting shadows across his face. His eyes softened the moment they found mine.

"You look pale," he said softly. "Are you alright?"

I forced a small smile. "I’m fine. Just... tired."

He didn’t believe me. I could tell by the way his brows drew together. Still, he didn’t push—not right away. Instead, he stepped into the room and walked toward the fireplace. He lit it with a single flick of his hand, the flames dancing to life.

Warm light filled the room, chasing away the shadows.

"Couldn’t sleep either," he said after a moment, his back to me. "Too many things on my mind."

I hesitated, then moved closer, sitting in the chair across from him. The firelight flickered between us, soft and golden. For a while, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn’t heavy this time—it felt... fragile, like something we both needed.

Finally, he looked up at me. "You’ve been through a lot," he murmured. "I should’ve made things easier for you. For the boys."

"It’s not your fault," I whispered.

He shook his head slightly. "It is. Not when the people around me treat you like this." His hand tightened against his knee, knuckles pale. "I can’t stand seeing them disrespect you."

Something in his voice made my chest ache. He wasn’t just angry—he was hurt.

"You don’t have to fight for me, Callum," I said quietly. "I can take care of myself."

"I know," he replied, his gaze locking onto mine. "But I want to."

The room grew still again. The fire crackled softly, filling the silence between our breaths. My pulse quickened, my throat dry. He leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees, eyes never leaving mine.

"I thought I’d forgotten how it felt," he said softly. "Having you this close again."

His words made something flutter in my chest—fear, longing, or both. I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. There was too much in his eyes. Too much of what I’d been trying to bury.

"Callum..." I whispered, my voice trembling.

He smiled faintly, but it was a sad smile. "Don’t worry. I won’t cross a line." He leaned back again, the firelight reflecting in his stormy eyes. "I just needed to see you tonight."

My lips parted, but no sound came out. I wanted to tell him about the letter, the threat, the fear clawing at my chest—but the words stuck in my throat.

So instead, I said, "Thank you..."

He nodded once. "Always."

Callum remained seated across from me, the firelight flickering across his face. Neither of us had said much after that. The silence was... heavy but strange. It wasn’t uncomfortable—it was full. Full of memories, of things neither of us dared to say.

He leaned back slightly, his lips curving into a small, teasing smile.

"You always get quiet when you’re thinking too much," he said softly.

I frowned a little. "Maybe I just don’t know what to say."

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