Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One-Chapter 15: Caught

Hailee’s POV

I should have told him to leave. I should have shut the door in his face and walked away. But somehow... I didn’t. I didn’t know when my hand moved—or why my body betrayed me—but I stepped aside and let him in.

The moment he entered, his eyes swept over the living room, scanning like he was searching for something, or someone.

"She hasn’t returned from the packhouse," I said quietly, answering the unspoken question about my mother.

He gave a small nod, then turned to face me.

For a long, heavy moment, neither of us spoke.

Thick, suffocating silence hung in the air, making it difficult to breathe properly.

He stood there for another moment, then let out a quiet breath.

"I should go," he said finally, his voice low. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

I nodded slowly, though something inside me twisted. I didn’t know why I wanted him to stay, but I said nothing.

He turned toward the door, his hand already reaching for the knob.

But then—he stopped.

Unexpectedly, he spun around and closed the space between us in two quick steps.

And before I could even react, his hands gripped my waist and his lips crashed onto mine.

I gasped, but he didn’t stop.

His lips moved hungrily over mine, and then I felt the slick heat of his tongue sliding into my mouth, stealing the breath straight from my lungs.

I reached up, maybe to push him away, maybe to pull him closer—but we stumbled.

His foot knocked into the coffee table, my leg hit the edge of the couch, and the next thing I knew, we tumbled to the floor together.

The impact was hard, but neither of us cared.

He landed above me, his body pressing into mine as his mouth never left mine—kissing me like he couldn’t help it, like he’d been waiting for this moment.

His hands gripped the sides of my face like he needed to feel I was real.

And just as suddenly as it started... he stopped.

Breathing hard, he pulled back just a little, our faces still inch apart.

His eyes locked on mine—bright, intense, completely serious.

"I really like you, Hailee," he whispered. "I’m not playing with you. This... whatever this is... it’s real for me."

My lips parted. I didn’t know what I was about to say. Maybe something stupid. Maybe something honest.

But before either of us could speak—the sharp sound of keys rattling at the door froze us both.

I stiffened under him. Callum quickly pushed himself up, and I sat up just as the door opened.

My mother stepped inside.

She stopped in the doorway, staring at us with a furrowed brow, her eyes moving from me to Callum and back again.

I swallowed hard, my heart still racing.

"Mom..." I said quickly, brushing hair out of my face. "This is Callum."

She didn’t speak, just stared.

I quickly stood up, clearing my throat. "He’s, uh... Callum. The Alpha’s son from the Nightshade Pack," I said. "I’ve been assigned as his guide while he’s here."

My mother’s expression stayed unreadable, but her eyes narrowed slightly.

Callum stood up too, then gave a small, respectful bow. "Ma’am," he said, his tone serious. "It’s an honor to meet you."

I almost relaxed—until he opened his mouth again.

"I like your daughter," he said simply. "And with your permission... I’d like to court her."

What?!

My eyes widened. My jaw dropped.

Did he really just say that?

I smacked his arm hard. "Callum!" I hissed, sounding annoyed. "What is wrong with you?!"

He chuckled softly, rubbing the spot where I hit him.

"I meant every word," he said, smiling like he wasn’t standing in front of my mom after tackling me to the floor and kissing me breathless.

"Get out," I said, pointing to the door.

Still smiling, he nodded. "Alright. I’ll leave for now."

He turned to my mom and gave another polite nod. "Goodnight, ma’am."

Then he looked at me one more time, still wearing that maddening grin.

"I’ll see you soon, Hailee."

And with that... he walked out, leaving me standing there, my face burning hot as my mother slowly turned those sharp eyes on me.

"So?" she asked, her voice surprisingly calm. Curious, not angry.

I sighed. "It’s nothing serious, Mother," I said quickly.

I lied.

Hell, it was something serious.

Kissing Callum... it was like my whole world flipped upside down.

It wasn’t just heat or surprise. It was something deeper. Something that left me breathless and confused. Like the ground under my feet had shifted, and I didn’t know if I liked it or hated it.

My mother walked past me, placing her bag on the small table by the door. "He’s bold," she said calmly, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. "I’ll give him that."

I folded my arms across my chest, trying not to look as flustered as I felt. She gave a small smile. "You like him."

I looked away.

"I don’t," I muttered.

"You’re blushing."

I touched my cheek without meaning to. Of course I was.

"I’m just... surprised, that’s all," I mumbled.

My mother sat on the couch and crossed her legs. "So... are you going to let him court you?"

My heart jumped.

I turned to her quickly. "No! I mean... I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it."

Mother was silent, but I knew she had something to say.

"You know they won’t approve of you dating."

I frowned as my anger rose. Of course I knew exactly who she meant.

"I don’t fucking care! I don’t care what they approve and what they don’t approve!" I spat and tried to walk away, but then I stopped and turned to face Mother. "You know what? I’m going to date Callum or any other young man I want to date, and I hope you pass this message across to them!"

Without waiting for her response, I turned and climbed the stairs to my room.

Reaching the door, I shoved it open, stepped inside, and nearly lost my breath.

Nathan was sitting casually on my bed, his eyes locked on me like he’d been waiting there for hours.

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