Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One-Chapter 16: Confession

Nathan’s POV

I drove back home but couldn’t bring myself to get out of the car. I couldn’t understand it, but I was losing my mind, and if I didn’t do something about it soon, I Would go insane.

Without thinking, I shoved the door open and stepped out, but instead of going into the mansion, I walked back to the gate. The guards gave me curious looks, but I ignored them and ran out of the gate.

Still running, I made my way to Hailee’s home. I didn’t even know why I was going to Hailee’s house, or what the hell I planned to say. But I needed to see her. Maybe when I saw her... I’d finally understand this madness in my head, and the words would come.

As I neared her home, I spotted her mother—Mrs. Vivian—standing at the door. I quickly ducked behind the fence, watching as she opened the door and stepped inside.

I was about to head straight to Hailee’s room when my gaze landed on Callum’s car sitting in the driveway.

My heart sank.

What the hell was he doing here?

What had he told her? Had he managed to convince her of something?

Panic set in. For a crazy moment, I thought about barging in—but I held myself back. Her mother was inside. I didn’t want to cause a scene in her presence.

So instead of walking in through the front, I moved to the side of the house, toward her window. It was slightly open. I didn’t think twice. I jumped.

With one smooth movement, I hoisted myself up, pushed the window wider, and climbed into her room, landing silently on the floor. The moment I stepped in, the air changed. Everything smelled like her. My heart pounded harder. I hadn’t even planned what I was going to say. I didn’t know what I was going to say.

So I did the only thing I could. I sat on the edge of her bed and waited.

Minutes passed.

Then I heard Callum’s car engine starting. I moved toward the window and peeked through the curtain.

He’s leaving.

I exhaled slowly, the knot in my chest loosening just a little. My eyes stayed fixed on the driveway until his car disappeared.

Then, soft footsteps echoed down the hallway.

My heartbeat picked up again.

The doorknob turned.

And then the door opened.

She stepped in, her eyes falling on me immediately.

Her body froze at the sight of me sitting calmly on her bed.

Our eyes met.

And for a long second—

Neither of us said a word.

I watched her throat bob as she swallowed nervously. Slowly, she shut the door behind her, but she didn’t move away. Instead, she pressed her back against it, frowning hard at me.

Her eyes narrowed coldly. "Nathan... are you stalking me?"

My chest tightened. I didn’t answer right away.

But my wolf growled softly inside me. "Yes, you are."

I ignored him, rising slowly from the bed.

My legs felt heavy.

Like I was carrying something too big, something I didn’t understand.

I took one small step toward her, but I stopped when I saw her tense.

I didn’t want to scare her.

Hell, I was scared too.

My mouth opened, but no words came out. What the hell was I doing here?

What was I even trying to say?

I dragged a hand through my hair and looked away. "I... I don’t know what’s wrong with me," I mumbled. "I’ve been losing my mind ever since I saw you with Callum."

She didn’t speak.

I forced myself to look back at her.

Her expression was difficult to read.

And that made everything harder.

"I didn’t plan to come here," I said honestly. "I saw Callum with you and... I just—I couldn’t take it."

I paused, letting out a shaky breath.

"I’ve never felt like this before."

She blinked but said nothing.

"I don’t do this," I added, my voice low. "I don’t chase anyone. I don’t believe in feelings. I don’t feel like this for anyone."

Her eyes softened just a little—but she stayed quiet.

I took another step.

And then I just said it.

"I like you, Hailee."

The words left my lips shakily. It felt like a confession I’d been holding in for years

But once they were out, I couldn’t take them back.

"I like you. And it’s driving me crazy."

Hailee’s eyes widened in shock. I could see the disbelief written all over her face, like she didn’t know whether to be angry, confused, or frozen in place.

But I didn’t stop.

I took another careful step closer, afraid she might run away.

"Yes, Hailee," I said again, more sure this time. "I like you... I really do."

The words came easier now, like my heart had been dying to get them out.

My eyes stayed locked with hers.

"I don’t know when it started. Or how. Maybe... maybe it’s been there all along," I said quietly. "Maybe that’s why I hated you so much."

She blinked, her lips parting slightly, but she didn’t speak. She just listened, And I was grateful. I needed this moment. I needed to let it out.

I took a breath and looked down for a moment before continuing.

"The first day I saw you four years ago. At the bonfire. You were with your mom. I remember how you stood there, so calm, like you didn’t care about anyone watching you. And I... I wanted you to look at me. To throw yourself at me like every other girl did."

I met her eyes again.

"But you didn’t."

"You didn’t even glance my way twice. Like I didn’t exist. And I thought, fine... maybe in a week. You’ll fall for my charm. You’ll join the list like the others."

I gave a short, humorless laugh.

"But you didn’t. You never did. You never tried to impress me, never chased after me, never begged for attention like the rest. You acted like I was no one. And that pissed me off."

I paused.

"That’s why I bullied you."

Her eyes flickered, and I could see the hurt flash through them.

"I was stupid. I thought if I couldn’t get your attention the usual way, I’d do it by getting under your skin. Making you mad. Making you notice me."

I shook my head slowly.

"I hated that I wanted you... and you didn’t want me."

An awkward and tensed silence hung in the air.

"But now... seeing you with someone else—seeing you with Callum—it made everything clear."

I swallowed hard.

"All that hate... all that stupid, childish bullying—it wasn’t really hate. It was frustration. It was wanting you to look at me... to see me the way I saw you."

I stepped even closer now, my voice low and filled with fear. freewebnøvel_com

"I didn’t know how to handle it. And I handled it wrong. But Hailee... I like you. And I don’t want to keep pretending I don’t care."

For a moment, there was silence. I panicked, waiting for her response. It was as if this moment was the most important moment of my life. My heart raced, and my wolf? I felt his uneasiness. It seemed he liked her too.

But suddenly, she scoffed.

A bitter, humorless sound that made my chest tighten.

She began clapping her hands, a bitter smile etched on her face.

"Wow," she said with a shake of her head. "That was impressive, Nathan. Really impressive. You should go to Hollywood, you’d win an Oscar for that performance. Such a well-put-together act."

I froze.

What?

"What are you talking about?" I asked, frowning deeply.

She laughed, but it wasn’t warm. It was sharp and bitter, laced with anger and pain.

"Come on," she said, folding her arms across her chest. "Drop the act already. Tell me... what’s the prize this time, Nathan? What’s the reward for this bet? Is this the new bet you made with your friends? Is that why you’re here, spitting out all this crap about liking me?"

I stared at her, my heart pounding violently in my chest.

"A bet?" I asked, stunned. "What are you saying, Hailee? What bet?"

Her eyes darkened, and her smile disappeared.

"Cut it, Nathan," she snapped. "Clara told me everything."

My frown deepened. Confusion twisted in my chest.

"Clara told you what?" I asked, already losing my temper—but not at her.

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