Chapter 190: The Plan
Hailee’s POV
I took a deep breath, looking at my boys. Their young faces were still tight with anger, but they were listening now.
"There’s something I must tell you," I said slowly. "I made a plan. For three months, I will spend time with each of the men. Every weekend, I will stay in one of their homes. At the end of those three months, I will choose who I will be with. That is the only way to end this fight between them."
Goodness, I was so ashamed saying this to my sons.
They were quiet. Their eyes went wide, their lips pressed shut. I could almost hear their thoughts spinning.
"That’s why I’m telling you now," I added softly. "Because when I leave, you will not stay behind. You will leave with me. If I go to Alpha Callum’s house, you come too. If it’s Dane, Nathan, or Frederick, you follow. Always together. Do you understand?"
Oliver’s face brightened, his eyes shining with a spark of excitement. He leaned forward, his voice full of excitement. "So tomorrow... you’re going to Alpha Callum’s first?"
I nodded, my chest heavy.
Oliver grinned, turning quickly to his brothers. "See? I told you! Mama is spending time with Alpha Callum first. That means she’s already starting to see he’s the right choice!"
Oscar groaned, throwing his hands up. "That doesn’t mean anything! It’s just first. Anyone could be first!"
Ozzy crossed his arms, frowning. "We’ll see. But no matter what, we stay with Mama. That’s the rule."
Their voices softened a little, but their eyes still burned with different loyalties. My heart ached, watching them pulled apart like this. I forced a smile and touched their faces one by one.
"Yes," I said, my voice steady. "No matter what happens, we stay together."
Oscar spoke. "So... what happens at their houses, Mama? What will you do?"
My throat tightened. I didn’t want to answer, but I forced myself. "I don’t know yet," I admitted. "Talk. Spend time. See who they are when it’s just us. I need to know the truth before I choose."
Oliver leaned forward, his excitement bubbling again. "Alpha Callum will show you his world, Mama. He will treat you with respect. You’ll see."
Oscar snorted, folding his arms. "Or Alpha Nathan will prove himself. He doesn’t have to try—he already saved us. That means more than anything."
Ozzy’s jaw was set, his voice firm. "No. When you go to Alpha Dane’s, you’ll understand. He’s the only one who can give you peace. That’s what you really need, Mama."
Oscar scoffed. "That man is married unless you want Mother to be a second wife."
Ozzy bristled. "That’s not true... he had rings on his hands, not only his wedding finger... it’s just fashion," he defended.
I swallowed hard and thought... Could Oscar be right? Was Dane truly married? No! I shook my head. It couldn’t be. If he were married, he wouldn’t be fighting for me. Rubbing my temples, I felt the ache in my chest deepen. My boys were only ten, yet already they spoke like warriors—choosing sides, battling over me.
I pulled them closer, one arm around each, my heart breaking. "Listen to me," I whispered. "No matter what happens in those houses, you are my world. Nothing will ever change that."
They quieted, their small bodies still tense, but they leaned into me. For a moment, I let myself breathe in their warmth, their scent. My sons. My strength.
My boys were quiet now, but their faces were still serious. I kissed each of their heads before standing.
"You may be hungry," I said softly. "I’ll go get food for you."
They nodded, and I slipped out of the room, my chest still heavy from everything. My steps carried me to the kitchen.
When I pushed the door open, I saw the cooks moving about, cutting and stirring. The smell of roasted meat and warm bread filled the air. I tried to smile, thinking how my boys would love it.
"Please," I said to the head cook. "Can I prepare something for my sons? They haven’t eaten since—"
But then I froze when I noticed someone else walking in behind me.
"Well, well. Look who we have here."
My stomach dropped. Clara. Nathan’s sister. My old enemy.
Her dark eyes narrowed as she stepped forward, her lips curling into a smile that wasn’t kind at all.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed. "This is the royal kitchen. Maids like you don’t belong here. If you want food, go to the servant kitchen where you belong."
Anger flared inside me. I clenched my fists. "I came for my boys. They are hungry. I am not in the mood for you, Clara."
Her frown deepened. "Hungry or not, you don’t walk in here like you are the Luna. You are nothing but a servant. And don’t forget it."
My chest ached. I wanted to scream, but before I could answer, a deep voice roared from behind us.
"Clara!"
We both turned. Nathan stood in the doorway, his eyes blazing with annoyance. His aura filled the room like a storm.
"Brother—" Clara began, but he cut her off with a growl.
"Not another word," he snapped. "Hailee is not a maid. She is my guest here. And as long as she is under my roof, you will show her the respect she deserves."
Clara’s face paled.
Nathan stepped closer, his voice sharp with anger. Goodness, why was he so angry? "If you ever try to humiliate her again, if you ever dare pull this act again, I will send you back to your mate’s house without warning."
Clara’s eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing like she wanted to argue but couldn’t. She lowered her gaze, fists trembling at her sides.
I stood frozen, my heart racing. The weight of Nathan’s protection pressed down on me. I hated how part of me felt safe because of him.
As Clara stepped back like a scolded child, Nathan turned from her slowly, his eyes now on the head cook. His voice was calm, but it held authority.
"Take note of what Hailee’s boys eat and what they don’t," Nathan ordered. "From today, they eat at the main table with me. And if I am too busy to sit, you will still make sure they have more than three full meals every day. Do you understand?"
The cook bowed quickly. "Yes, Alpha."
My breath caught. I stood frozen, unable to believe what I was hearing.
Nathan didn’t even look at me. He didn’t glance back or wait for thanks. He just turned on his heel, his boots heavy against the floor, and walked out of the kitchen.
I pressed a hand to my chest, my heart racing.
He had spoken for my boys. Protected them. Provided for them. All without asking me.
And all while ignoring me completely.
Clara was still glaring from the corner, but I no longer cared. My mind spun, torn between anger, relief, and something else I dared not name.
"Goddess," I whispered to myself, "why does he make it so difficult to hate him?"