Offered to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter 135: Chapter 135: The Question of Fate

“You sure about this, Hazel?” Lucas asked, his hand brushing against mine. His voice was calm, but I could sense the tension underneath.

The dim corridor leading to the pack cells felt longer than I remembered. Every step echoed against the concrete floor as I made my way toward Leo, the triplets following close behind me. My heart pounded against my ribcage, uncertainty gnawing at my insides.

I nodded, trying to ignore the trembling in my hands. “I need to talk to him.”

“We’ll be right beside you,” Liam assured me, his warm smile a contrast to the concern in his eyes.

Levi, uncharacteristically quiet, simply squeezed my shoulder.

The past few days had been a whirlwind—spending time with my mates, catching up with my grandfather before he returned to The Dark Hour, and hanging out with Sophia and Callum. It felt like I’d been living in a bubble of happiness, deliberately avoiding the conversation I needed to have with Leo.

The guard at the cell block nodded at Lucas and stepped aside, unlocking the heavy door for us. The familiar scent of dampness and disinfectant hit me as we entered.

“He’s in the last cell,” the guard informed us. “Been quiet. Barely touched his food.”

My stomach clenched. The guard’s words only intensified my guilt about leaving Leo here for days while I settled back into pack life. Yes, he’d deceived me, manipulated me—but he’d also protected me, in his own way.

Above all, he was still one of my fated mates. Leaving him here for so long seemed too cruel.

We reached his cell, and I peered through the bars. Leo sat in the corner, his back against the wall, staring blankly ahead. He’d always been lean, but days in confinement had sharpened the angles of his face. Only when he caught my scent did he turn, his grayish-brown eyes finding mine.

“Well, well,” he said, his voice hoarse from disuse. “Look who finally remembered I exist.”

Lucas stepped forward protectively. “Watch your tone.”

Leo’s laugh was dry and humorless. “Or what? You’ll throw me in jail? Oh wait.”

“We can let him out,” I said quietly, looking at Lucas. “Please.”

The three brothers exchanged glances before Lucas nodded to the guard. “Open it.”

pleasure? Is it time for my execution?” His sarcasm couldn’t quite mask the genuine uncertainty in his voice as he

“Don’t be so dramatic. If we

to free you,” I explained, stepping into the cell. “I want to talk to

arched skeptically. “Free me?

countered. “There will

needed to say to Leo required privacy. “Actually, I’d like to

pairs of green eyes widened in

not,” Lucas

he’s dangerous,” Liam

crossed his arms.

concerned gazes.

bored. “I’m not going to

but I placed a hand on Lucas’s arm. “Just wait outside the door.

a tense moment, Lucas relented with a sharp nod. “Fine.

out, each brother gave Leo a warning look. Levi was the last to leave, pointing two fingers at his eyes, then at

up the lone

you been?” I

lips quirked in

“Alive. Been better.”

the mark on his neck—the mate mark Helena had left him—just visible beneath his t-shirt collar. It looked more faded than I remembered. When he caught me staring, he adjusted his

said, his voice losing some of its edge. “Happy, even. I guess the reunion with

bitterness in his tone. “My grandfather went back to The Dark Hour,” I said instead. “He promised to visit again soon. For

Leo remarked dryly. “And your friends? That boy

asked, wrinkling my

said, dismissively waving a hand. “Starts with a ‘C’. The one that got suckered in with

a mate—a true one,” I replied, though I frowned slightly. “He doesn’t

shifted almost imperceptibly, something calculating crossing his features before it disappeared.

that we thought the same thing. Callum probably hadn’t forgotten

I fidgeted with my hands, trying to find the right

Hazel?” Leo finally asked, his piercing gaze making me squirm. “To gloat? To seek forgiveness