Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One - Chapter 239

Chapter 239: Headline News
Hailee’s POV

My head was pounding. A dull, throbbing ache that felt like someone had hit me with a hammer. I groaned softly and pressed my hand to my forehead, forcing my eyes open. Bright light. White sheets. A soft bed that definitely wasn’t mine. Panic hit me like cold water. I sat up quickly, looking around the unfamiliar room. It was elegant, too elegant, all dark wood, silver accents, and soft velvet curtains. This wasn’t my chamber in the palace.

“Where… where am I?” I whispered to myself, my heart racing. I looked down. My clothes were still on, the same dress from last night. My heels lay neatly by the edge of the bed. Nothing felt wrong, but my chest tightened anyway.

What happened last night?

I remembered the club, the music, the dance, the drink. Cira handing me another drink. Then, spinning. Losing my balance. And then—

The memory snapped like a whip. Strong arms catching me. A hard chest. The scent of something rich and clean, like rain and smoke. Before I could piece it together, the sound of water running stopped. The bathroom door opened. And out stepped Rylan.

I froze. My mouth opened, but no words came out. He was shirtless, a towel around his waist, his hair damp and messy. He looked calm, like he’d been expecting me to wake up. My heartbeat kicked up several notches.

“W–What are you doing here?”

He raised an eyebrow. “In my own room?”

My breath caught. “Your—your room?”

He smiled faintly. “Yes. You passed out last night, Hailee. I wasn’t about to leave you on the club floor.”

I blinked, trying to make sense of it. “Wait. How—how did I even get here?”

“You don’t remember?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.

I frowned, my voice rising with panic. “No! That’s why I’m asking!”

He chuckled softly, walking to the chair beside the bed and picking up a black shirt. “You were quite the handful last night.”

I stared at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

He looked at me then, eyes amused but gentle. “You wouldn’t let go of me.”

“What?”

He smirked. “You clung to me the whole way out of the club. I tried calling for your driver, but you kept saying I smelled nice and that I was ruining your fun.”

My face flushed hot. “I said what?”

He laughed quietly. “Oh, there’s more. You told the bouncer you were the ‘Queen of Regret,’ whatever that means, and then demanded another drink before falling asleep on my shoulder.”

“Oh, my God,” I muttered, pressing my hand to my face.

He chuckled again, pulling his shirt on. “Relax. I made sure you got some water and sleep. You’re safe.”

I exhaled shakily, embarrassment flooding through me. “You could’ve just sent me home.”

“I tried,” he said simply. “You refused to let go of me long enough to do that.”

I closed my eyes, groaning. “Kill me now.”

He laughed softly. “Sorry, I can’t do that. You’re already famous.”

My eyes snapped open. “What?”

He turned toward the desk, grabbed his iPad, and walked back. “You really don’t remember anything?”

“Rylan,” I warned, “what are you talking about?”

He handed me the device. “Apparently, a paparazzi was at the club last night.”

My stomach dropped. “No…”

“Oh yes,” he said, almost amused. “And they got quite the picture.”

With trembling fingers, I looked down at the screen. The image hit me like a slap.

Me, clinging to Rylan’s chest, his arm around me protectively, both of us caught in the golden club lights. My eyes half-closed, his gaze down on me, the two of us close enough to look intimate. The headline beneath the photo read:

“Western Lycan Princess and Southern King Spotted Together—Royal Sparks Flying?”

My mouth fell open. “Oh. My. Goddess.”

Rylan leaned casually against the dresser, crossing his arms. “Well, looks like we’re dating now.”

I glared at him. “This isn’t funny!”

He smirked. “I’m not the one who decided to pass out in my arms in front of flashing cameras.”

I dropped the iPad onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. “Peter’s going to kill me.”

He chuckled softly. “Probably. But if it helps, I told them you were safe. That’s all.”

I peeked at him through my fingers. “And what did you tell them about this picture?”

He shrugged lightly. “No comment.”

“Rylan!” I groaned.

He smiled, slow, calm, and annoyingly confident. “Hey, it could’ve been worse. You could’ve woken up in someone else’s bed.”

“I am in someone else’s bed!” I snapped.

He grinned wider. “True. But at least this one’s clean.”

I threw a pillow at him. “You’re impossible!”

He caught it easily, laughing. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

“For what?” I muttered.

“For saving you from becoming a viral meme instead of a headline.”

I groaned again, burying my face in the pillow. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

He chuckled softly. “Believe it. You made front-page gossip before breakfast.”

I peeked at him again, sighing in defeat. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“A little,” he admitted with a smirk. “But mostly, I’m just glad you’re safe.”

Despite my irritation, something in his tone made my chest tighten—soft, soft, warm, sincere. I looked away quickly, muttering, “I need to go home.”

“I’ll have my driver take you,” he said easily.

“Thank you,” I murmured, already dreading the conversation that awaited me back at the palace.

Rylan slipped his jacket on, fixing his cuffs with practiced ease before glancing at me. “Ready?”

“Not even close,” I muttered, standing anyway.

He smiled, the kind of smile that felt too calm for the chaos he’d just caused. “Don’t worry. No one’s going to eat you alive.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” I shot back. “You didn’t wake up on the front page of the kingdom’s gossip column.”

He chuckled and opened the door, motioning for me to follow. “Come on, Your Highness. I promise not to let the press chase you down the hallway.”

I sighed and followed him out, barefoot, my heels dangling loosely from one hand. The corridor stretched wide and polished, every surface gleaming under soft morning light. The place looked like something out of a royal art exhibit, elegant but intimidating.

And then I noticed the staff. Maids. Guards. Attendants. They all froze the moment they saw me. Their eyes widened slightly before they remembered themselves and bowed politely. But even as their heads dipped, I could feel their gazes, curious and heavy with quiet gossip.

My cheeks burned. I crossed my arms instinctively, suddenly aware of how out of place I must’ve looked, yesterday’s dress, messy hair, walking beside the Southern King like I was his girlfriend or something.

Rylan noticed. Of course, he did. He leaned slightly toward me and said softly, “Relax. They’re only bowing because they finally see the woman who broke the morning headlines.”

I shot him a sharp look. “That’s not funny.”

He grinned. “You’re right. It’s hilarious.”

I smacked his arm lightly, but it only made him laugh harder. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

He gave me a knowing glance, that smirk still tugging at his lips. “If you say so.”

We reached the grand staircase, where two guards stepped aside to let us pass. When we finally reached the front entrance, a sleek black car was already waiting. The driver bowed deeply. “Your Majesty. My Lady.”

Rylan gestured toward the car with that infuriating calm of his. “Your chariot awaits.”

I narrowed my eyes at him but said nothing, sliding into the car. The leather seats were cool against my skin, the faint scent of his cologne still lingering inside.

He leaned on the open car door, one hand resting on the frame, his other tucked into his pocket. “Drive safely,” he told the chauffeur, then turned his attention back to me.

For a moment, his teasing expression softened, replaced by something different. “Get some rest when you get back, Hailee. And maybe stay away from golden drinks next time.”

I scoffed softly. “I’ll add that to my royal list of regrets.”

He chuckled. “You’re funny.”

“Says the man who turned my hangover into breaking news.”

He grinned again, leaning a little closer. “You have to admit, we look good together.”

“Rylan,” I warned.

“Alright, alright,” he said with mock surrender, holding up his hands. “No teasing before noon.”

I couldn’t help it, a small, reluctant smile tugged at my lips. Rylan was so different from his brother. He took a half-step back as the driver started the engine. “Drive carefully,” he reminded him again, his tone briefly shifting to seriousness.

Then, just as the car began to roll away, he lifted two fingers to his lips and blew me a kiss. Without thinking, I caught it, then tossed it right back. His smile widened, the kind that could melt steel. “I’ll take that as a promise,” he called out as the car pulled forward.

I sank back into my seat, shaking my head, half-annoyed, half something else. Through the tinted window, I caught one last glimpse of him, standing in the golden morning light, arms crossed, watching me go. And even though I knew I should’ve been furious, mortified, anything but amused, I couldn’t stop smiling. Because damn it, Rylan had a way of turning every disaster into a memory.