Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One-Chapter 20: In His Arms

Hailee’s POV

His hoodie was up, his face shadowed, but there was no mistaking him. He looked up at me, his eyes met mine—dark, tired, and filled with concern. I blinked, unsure if I was dreaming.

But I wasn’t.

He was really here.

My heart kicked up in my chest, a different kind of ache blooming inside me.

I slowly opened the window. The cold night air rushed in, brushing against my skin.

"Nathan...?" I whispered.

"I had to see you," he said, his voice low and rough. "I couldn’t sleep... I’m so worried."

He looked it too—hair messy, eyes slightly swollen like he hadn’t rested a second since I left.

I just stared at him, stunned. What had gotten into him?

"I also want to explain the situation with Ariella..."

I cut him off. "Everyone knows you two are fuck buddies."

Nathan frowned, but didn’t argue about it.

"Can I come in?" he asked, almost pleading.

I frowned. Every part of me wanted to say no. He should go home and rest. But I knew Nathan. He was stubborn. If I refused, he wouldn’t leave... and honestly, I didn’t have the strength to argue tonight.

Without saying a word, I stepped back from the window and made my way to the bed, my legs wobbling slightly. My body still ached, every nerve begging to rest and start healing—but now, with Nathan here, I’d have to wait.

I sat down carefully, trying to look fine... to seem okay. But he noticed. Of course, he did.

Nathan stepped inside quietly and walked straight to me, stopping right in front of the bed. His eyes searched my face with concern.

"You were fine a few hours ago," he said gently, his brows furrowed. "What happened, Hailee? What’s suddenly wrong?"

I froze.

My heart raced.

I needed to say something. Anything.

I quickly searched my brain for a lie that made sense. Then it hit me.

"My period," I muttered, not meeting his gaze. "It... it just started. And it’s really painful tonight."

Silence.

Relief flooded me. Some boys couldn’t handle that kind of thing. They’d run from it like it was a disease. I was almost certain Nathan was one of them. He’d probably be out the window in a minute.

I cleared my throat, trying to create space between us.

"You should go," I said quietly, laying down and pulling the blanket over my body. "I’ll be fine."

But instead of leaving, he crouched beside the bed.

"I’m not leaving," he said softly.

My brows pulled together in confusion.

"I heard once... that when a girl is on her period, a hug from a wolf male can help with the pain," he said, almost shyly. "I don’t know if it’s true—but... I want to try. I want to help."

I blinked, startled by his words.

Was he... serious?

Before I could process it, he added, "You wiped my forehead when I was burning up. Let me return the favor."

My lips parted to reject his offer, to tell him I didn’t need his pity or his kindness—not after everything. But before I could get the words out, he cut me off gently.

"I promise I’ll be a gentleman," he said, his voice so soft it barely carried over the silence. "I just want to help... You look pale, Hailee."

I stared at him, confused, unsettled.

This wasn’t Nathan.

This couldn’t be the same guy who spent the past four years making my life miserable. Who mocked me in the hallways, ignored me like I didn’t matter.

And yet... here he was. Kneeling beside my bed like he cared.

I swallowed hard, feeling the lump rising in my throat. Against my better judgment, my head gave a tiny nod.

He stood slowly and reached for the hem of his hoodie.

I blinked.

Wait... what was he—?

In one smooth motion, he pulled it off.

My breath caught in my throat.

He wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

His abs... sculpted, warm-toned, and lightly glistening in the dim light of my room. His chest rose and fell evenly, calm despite the tension that now swirled thick in the air. He looked like something carved from a daydream—and I hated how my eyes lingered.

I immediately shifted on the bed, turning my gaze away as heat flushed my cheeks. But I still saw him from the corner of my eye as he climbed in.

He moved carefully, slowly, like he was afraid I’d change my mind.

Then—

He wrapped his arms around me.

Gently.

Protectively.

My breath hitched.

The heat from his body soaked into mine like sunlight breaking through a cold winter. His warmth was like a blanket I hadn’t realized I needed. My aching body relaxed just a little under his touch.

I tried to stay stiff, to keep myself from melting... but I couldn’t help it.

He smelled like cedarwood and smoke. Warm, earthy, and something I wanted to breathe in forever.

I gave in to the comfort, allowing my head to rest against his chest, feeling his heart beating slow and steady beneath my cheek.

It was calm.

Strong.

Safe.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked softly, and I nodded... not able to trust my voice.

He didn’t say anything. Neither did I. Rather, I felt his hand on my hair as he gently stroked and then sniffed it.

"I love the smell of your hair," he whispered, his voice sounding so husky and sexy.

I bit my lips and shut my eyes closed as I tried to ignore the fact that I was in Nathan Dominic’s arms.

His touch was gentle. So unexpectedly soft for someone like him.

I almost thought I imagined it when his fingers began tracing slow, feather-light circles on my back.

At first, it felt innocent... comforting, even.

But the more he did it, the harder it became to ignore the way it made my skin tingle.

I tried to focus. I needed to start my healing—draw the energy in and let it work through me like before.

But his hands were still moving. Still... lingering.

My back arched slightly under the touch, my breath catching in my throat.

Stop it, Hailee. Focus.

I squeezed my eyes shut and forced myself to concentrate. Slowly, I began the process. Pulling my energy inward, channeling it through my body. It felt slower than usual. Heavy.

Maybe it was the exhaustion.

Maybe... it was the boy wrapped around me.

I didn’t even realize when my breathing evened out, or when the ache faded into something gentler.

All I knew was that his scent—cedarwood and fire—was the last thing I felt before darkness swept me into sleep.

—

When I woke, the first thing I noticed was the warmth.

The second... was pressure.

Something was poking me.

I blinked, still dazed from sleep, and slowly opened my eyes.

My face was tucked under Nathan’s chin.

His arms were still around me, his breathing deep and even.

But something down was poking me.

I carefully glanced down, only for my eyes to widen as I realized it was his arousal poking me.

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