Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers

Chapter 90: Cruel joke

**~ Caspian’s POV ~**

Not long after Aurora and I stepped away from Hazel’s side, I felt the weight of it settle over me again.

She was right...Hazel needed rest. Whatever had broken inside her had shattered too hard, too fast. Her body was forcing her to stop, even if her mind wouldn’t. But while she slept, we had a funeral to attend.

My room felt colder than usual as I stepped inside, the shadows already lengthening across the floor. I walked toward the tall wardrobe and reached for my black cloak. the traditional mourning robe reserved for full moons, deaths, and disgrace. Tonight was all three.

The cloak felt heavier than usual as I slipped it over my shoulders.

It would soon be evening. The Blue Moon would rise. And under its light... we would bury them.

I swallowed hard. I didn’t know which part ached more burying my brother... or burying her babies.

I had failed...It was my fault.

If only I had gotten there faster... If only I hadn’t hesitated. If I had pushed harder, run quicker, sensed something was wrong before it happened.

They would still be alive. Hazel would be awake. Laughing. Holding them. Smiling at me with that light in her eyes I barely ever saw but would’ve died to protect. But I had let it all crumble. I had let it happen.

My jaw clenched. My fingers twitched at my side, aching to rip something apart.

When I stepped outside, the air was still. Too quiet. As if the entire realm was holding its breath.

Cayden was already there, dressed in black, standing like a statue by the edge of the gathering field. He hadn’t said a word to me since that day. None of us had. Not really.

His eyes were swollen...something I’d never seen before. My brother, the coldest of us, the most ruthless, had cried. He wasn’t crying now, but he had.

And the thought that the only thing powerful enough to break him was the loss of his children... it made my throat close.

Mother stood close by, her hand resting gently on his arm, grounding him. I knew she was doing everything in her power to keep him from losing control. One wrong look, one wrong breath, and Cayden could explode. And tonight wasn’t the night to battle his grief. His gaze found mine, and I gave a firm nod.

No words passed between us...None needed to.

The doors to the High House opened moments later. The Elders stepped out first, draped in ceremonial robes, followed by the silent procession of pack wolfes. Everyone was already gathered, dressed in black.

We were only waiting for the bodies.

Hazel should be here. She should be standing beside us, even if only to whisper one last goodbye. But her body had shut down completely. She had collapsed and hadn’t woken up since. And no one could tell me when or if she would., Still, it didn’t sit right with me.

In our traditions, a body must not remain above ground for more than two days, or its soul could become trapped between realms. Even magic wouldn’t be able to bring peace then. But this... this felt too soon. Too brutal.

And yet, we had no choice.

The twins deserves a sacred burial. Even if their mother couldn’t be here to witness it.

As soon as the three coffins were carried out, the entire courtyard fell into a heavy silence. Not a single sound, not even a coug Everyone stared.

Their breaths caught in their throats.

And then, just as the bearers knelt to lower the coffins onto the sacred platform, I heard the first sob.

It came from my mother. Across from her, Father leaned in, whispering harshly under his breath, "Enough, Anna. Please."

She didn’t respond at first. Just kept shaking. "If you are crying like this," he added, his voice low but firm, "then what do you expect of Cayden? Or the mother who is not even here to weep for her children?"

"I—I just can’t," she stammered, her voice breaking with each syllable. "I can’t..." I clenched my fists at my sides.

The weight in my chest was unbearable. The sight of those three identical coffins...so small, too small was enough to make even the most stone-hearted Elder pause. Then, Elder Gina stepped forward.

She stopped just before the platform and turned to the crowd.

"Let the parents of the departed children step forward," she called gently.

My mother and father walked forward for Cyrius

Cayden, shoulders square, hands trembling at his sides, stepped forward alone for the twins.

Elder Gina’s eyes flicked to the side, searching for Hazel. But I caught her attention with a slight shake of my head. She’s not coming, I silently told her.

She gave a small nod of understanding, though her mouth pressed into a sad line.

They stood before the coffins. "Place your hand upon your child’s casket," Gina instructed, "and whisper their name. Say your silent prayer, and let your spirit speak what your lips cannot."

The parents obeyed. Mother’s hand trembled violently as it hovered over the lid of Cyrius’ coffin. Her fingers never quite settled. It was Father who gently laid his palm across the polished surface, steadying her.

Cayden stood still for a moment, then placed both hands on his twins’ coffins. His head dipped low, lips moving in silent reverence.

The crowd bowed their heads as well, some whispering prayers of their own, others simply closing their eyes.

When the prayers ended, Elder Gina’s voice rang out again, quieter now.

"You may open the coffins and give your final goodbyes."

Mother hesitated, her fingers curling away from the edge. "I can’t... I—" Her knees buckled, and she turned into Father’s chest, burying her cries there.

Father exhaled deeply and reached out, gripping the lid. Slowly, solemnly, he pushed it open.

Next to him, Cayden reached for both of the twins’ lids, one hand on each. He didn’t flinch. Didn’t breathe. He just opened them both in one slow, fluid motion.

Then...Three sharp gasps. All at once.

Mother’s face went white, eyes widening in horror. Cayden staggered back half a step, his mouth parting but no words came.

Even Father froze, blinking in disbelief, his hand hovering midair like he’d touched something cold and unreal.

Confused murmurs broke out in the crowd. I sstepped forward instinctively. Something was wrong—terribly wrong. noveldrama

I pushed through the sea of heads and made my way to the front, heart racing as I approached the coffins. I looked down

And felt my stomach drop...Empty. All three coffins were completely empty.

Just the hollow, polished wood staring back at us like a cruel joke. "What?" I choked out, blinking furiously. "Empty? How... how is this possible?"

The whispers erupted instantly, frantic and overlapping:

"Where are they—?"

"Was this a mistake—?"

"Who touched the coffins before the ritual..?"

"No one—no one would dare—"

My breath caught in my throat...No. This wasn’t a mistake. Someone had taken them.