Chapter 189: Picking Sides
Hailee’s POV
I pushed at his chest with all my strength, my breath coming fast. My lips still burned from his kiss. I looked into his eyes, and for a moment, my heart almost gave in. I wanted to fall into his arms, to tell him the truth—how much I had missed him. How many nights I cried into my pillow, wishing he was there. Even after all these years, I never stopped loving him. No matter how hard I tried to bury it, the feeling was still there, alive and burning.
And now... after his rough touch, after his kiss, my body was screaming for more. I hated myself for craving him. But I couldn’t lie, not to myself. I missed it. I missed him. I pulled in a shaky breath, forcing the words out before my heart could stop me.
"What we did doesn’t mean anything, Nathan," I whispered. My voice broke, but I kept going. "I was just... sex-starved. Ever since my husband died, I haven’t had sex. What happened between us now—" I swallowed hard, hating myself even as I spoke, "—it could have happened with any man. Callum. Dane. Even Frederick."
The moment the words left my lips, his eyes changed. They darkened, not with anger but with pain. It flashed across his face so fast I almost wished I hadn’t seen it. His mouth opened like he wanted to speak, but nothing came out. For once, Nathan looked... lost.
My chest ached, but I turned away before he could see my tears. My legs felt heavy as I walked toward the door before Nathan could stop me. My chest hurt, but I didn’t let myself look back. If I did, I knew I would crumble.
I found my boys sitting together, waiting for me in the room we shared. They looked up as soon as I stepped in, their faces serious, their eyes searching mine.
"Sit," I told them softly. They obeyed, though I could see the questions burning on their tongues. I took a deep breath, steadying myself.
"There’s something I need to tell you," I said, forcing my voice to stay calm. "Those four men want me. They want me to choose who I’ll be with."
I knew they understood what I meant. My boys were smart; I didn’t need to spell things out for them. For a moment, silence. Then Oliver spoke, his voice low and full of curiosity. "Who do you want, Mama?"
My throat tightened. I had no answer.
Oscar leaned forward, his jaw set. "I think it should be Alpha Nathan," he said firmly. "He’s strong. No one will ever mess with us if he’s around."
Oliver scoffed, shaking his head. "Strong doesn’t mean good. Alpha Nathan’s dangerous. Alpha Callum actually cares. He respects you, Mama. He looks at you differently. He’s the one you should choose."
Ozzy, quiet until now, frowned deeply. "You’re both wrong. It’s Alpha Dane. He’s calm. He doesn’t explode like the others. Mama needs peace, not more fighting."
The room went heavy, the weight of their words hanging between us. None of them said Frederick’s name. The man who had been a father figure to them... wasn’t even in their hearts.
And then—for the first time in years—they argued.
"You don’t know anything," Oscar snapped at Oliver. "Alpha Nathan is the only one who can protect Mama. He won’t let anyone touch her."
Oliver shot back, sharp and quick. "Protect her? He scares her half the time! Alpha Callum doesn’t. He actually listens. That’s what matters."
Ozzy jumped in, his voice rising. "Both of you are blind. Alpha Dane is calm. He won’t hurt her. He’ll give her a safe home."
"Safe but boring," Oscar fired. "We need someone who can fight for us!"
"And not someone who buys her like property?" Oliver growled, his eyes flashing.
"Stop twisting things!" Oscar barked back. "He saved us."
"Enough!" Ozzy shouted, his fists clenched. "You two don’t get it—Mama doesn’t need a fighter or a listener. She needs peace. Alpha Dane is peace."
They were all on their feet now, standing in front of me, voices sharp, their loyalty pulling in different directions.
I sat frozen, my heart aching as I watched. This was one of the rare times my boys didn’t stand together. They always agreed, always backed each other up. But now, because of me, they were divided.
Tears burned my eyes as I whispered inside, Goddess, what am I doing to them?
But then I was confused. Why were they suddenly each picking a man... why were they talking and arguing like they had known these men all their lives?
Oliver turned to me, ignoring his brothers. "Trust me, Mother... Alpha Callum is the right choice."
Oscar scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Alpha Nathan loves Mother more... she should be with the man who loves her most."
Ozzy sneered at Oscar. "You just want Alpha Nathan because you’re grateful he saved us, but deep down, we all know he’s the worst option."
Suddenly Oscar’s frown deepened. The three of them were nose to nose now, their voices sharp, their chests rising and falling fast. Their bond—the bond that always kept them together—was tearing apart right in front of me.
"What do you even see in Alpha Dane? That man is married. Didn’t you notice the wedding ring on his finger?" Oscar spat.
I furrowed my brow. "Wedding ring?"
Oscar nodded, turning to me. "Mother, didn’t you see it?"
"Lies... you’re lying," Ozzy shot back.
"Enough!" My voice cracked the air like a whip.
They froze, breathing hard, glaring at one another but not daring to speak. Their eyes finally turned to me.
I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, steadying my breath. "Sit," I said firmly. "All of you. Now."
Slowly, they obeyed, dropping back onto the bed, shoulders stiff, jaws clenched.
I looked at each of them, my heart aching. "This ends here. No more fighting each other. You’re brothers. You’re all I have. And I..." I swallowed hard, forcing myself to be strong. "...I have an idea."