CHAPTER 221: AS ONE

Callum’s POV

Nathan and Peter were just seconds away from attacking each other when Hailee stepped between them. Her voice was shaky but strong enough to stop them.

"Please, stop!" she said.

Nathan’s fists were clenched, his wolf ready to break free. He looked ready to kill. And honestly, I didn’t blame him. I was boiling too; every word that came out of that Lycan King’s mouth was driving me insane.

But I knew better. Violence wouldn’t fix this. Not now.

"Nathan," I said firmly, stepping closer. "Violence, isn’t it."

He turned his glare on me, his chest rising and falling fast. For a second, I thought he’d ignore me, but then he looked at Hailee standing between them and slowly stepped back.

Peter smirked, his arms still crossed like he had all the control in the world. He gave a short scoff, shaking his head. "I honestly wonder what Hailee ever saw in you men," he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Peter, please," Hailee said softly, stepping closer to him. Her voice trembled, sounding tired and pleading. "Stop this... please."

For a moment, the Lycan King’s cold eyes stayed on us, daring anyone to speak. Then he exhaled slowly, his sharp glare softening only for her.

"Alright," he said quietly, his tone low but firm. "If that’s what you want."

He turned to her and added, "Let’s go, Hailee."

She hesitated, glancing at us one last time — and in her eyes, I saw everything. Pain. Regret. Fear. And maybe... love that still hadn’t died.

Without another word, she followed him out. Peter placed a protective hand at her back, guiding her through the door, and the moment it clicked shut behind them, the room fell into heavy silence.

None of us spoke for a while. The air felt thick, charged, like lightning had just struck and left the ground smoldering.

Nathan was pacing again, his jaw tight. Dane stood still, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. I just sat down heavily, rubbing my temples.

"That man..." Nathan growled finally. "He’s annoying."

Dane nodded slightly. "He’s not just annoying," he said quietly. "He’s powerful—maybe as powerful as us. And he has something we don’t."

I looked up. "More influence."

Dane met my gaze and gave a short nod. "Exactly. He has power beyond territory. If this goes to the Council, his word will weigh heavier than ours."

Nathan stopped pacing, his eyes dark and cold. "Then we can’t let it go that far."

I frowned. "And what do you suggest, Nathan? That we fight the Lycan King?"

He turned sharply toward me. "I’ll fight whoever I have to. I’m not losing my son—and I’m not losing Hailee."

His words hung in the air like a growl, raw and full of emotion.

Dane sighed, stepping forward. "We can’t keep being divided. That’s exactly what Peter wants. He’ll use our rivalry to tear us apart — and when he does, he’ll win custody and control of everything."

I leaned back, thinking it through. He was right. All this time, we’d been too busy fighting each other to see the real threat standing in front of us.

"We need to join forces," Dane continued, his voice firm. "For once, we stop acting like enemies and start acting like what we are—Alphas. United. That’s the only way we’ll stand a chance."

Nathan nodded slowly. "Then we fight together. Against Peter. Against the Council. Against anyone who tries to take them."

I looked at both of them—two men who had once been my rivals in everything, especially when it came to Hailee—and I realized something I didn’t want to admit.

It wasn’t just about the boys.

Nathan’s eyes burned with something more than fatherly instinct. And Dane... for all his calm, his jaw tightened every time Hailee’s name came up.

And me?

I wasn’t any different.

No matter how much I tried to bury it—the guilt, the anger, the years—nothing had changed. The truth hit me like a blade to the chest.

I still wanted her.

I still loved her.

Even now, after everything.

I looked toward the door where she had just left, my hands curling into fists. "Then it’s settled," I said quietly. "We fight together."

Dane nodded. Nathan grunted his agreement.

But deep inside, I knew—even if we stood together against Peter, none of us could ever truly stand together when it came to Hailee.

Because all three of us wanted her.

And only one of us would win.

Nathan and Dane left while I stood there for a moment, breathing deeply before turning and walking quietly toward the boys’ room. The door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and stepped inside.

The room was calmer now. The machines hummed softly. The boys were awake, quiet, doing their own things. Nathan was in the corner talking to one of the doctors. Dane sat beside Ozzy, who was showing him something on a drawing pad. And in another corner, I saw Hailee and Peter sitting together—whispering quietly.

My eyes found Oliver.

He was sitting on his bed, staring out the window, the soft glow of moonlight brushing across his small face. My chest tightened instantly.

For ten years, I hadn’t been there—not for his first words, not for his first steps, not for a single moment that mattered.

I walked closer and stopped by his bedside.

He turned slowly, his sea-blue eyes meeting mine.

"Hey, buddy," I said softly, unsure of what else to say. "Can I sit?"

He nodded, his face calm—too calm for a child his age.

I sat on the chair beside him and tried to smile. "You probably don’t want to talk to me, huh?"

He shrugged slightly. "You’re my dad. So... I think we should talk."

That small sentence hit harder than any punch could.

I let out a shaky breath and nodded. "Yeah. We should."

I paused for a long moment, trying to find the right words. "Oliver... I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. For almost ten years of your life. I missed everything—your birthdays, your first day of school, your favorite shows, your little milestones. All of it."

He looked at me with a calm expression. "It wasn’t your fault. You never knew of my existence."

My throat tightened. "I know," I said softly. "But if I had... I swear, I would’ve moved the world to be by your side."

He didn’t say anything right away. His small hands played with the edge of the blanket as he thought. Then he looked up again.

"My birthday’s next month," he said suddenly.

I blinked. "Next month?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I’ll be ten."

Ten.

The number hit me hard. A whole decade. My boy had lived ten years without me.

I forced a smile and leaned closer. "Ten, huh? That’s a big age. What do you want for your birthday?"

He tilted his head like he was thinking deeply. "A real football set," he said finally. "Not the small one. The real one they use in Alpha tournaments."

A small laugh escaped me. "A football player, huh?"

He grinned. "Yeah. Mom says I’m fast. I always win when we play in the garden."

I smiled, warmth flooding through my chest. "Then we’ll train together. I’ll get you the best football gear I can find. Deal?"

His smile grew wider, but then he grew serious again. "You don’t have to buy me things," he said softly. "I just... I just want time with you."

I froze, staring at him. That simple, honest sentence nearly broke me.

He continued, his tone wise beyond his years. "Mom said sometimes grown-ups make mistakes, but if they really love someone, they try to fix it. So... if you really love me, you’ll fix this."

For a second, I couldn’t even speak. My throat felt tight, and I could only nod. "I will," I managed to say. "I’m not going anywhere this time. That’s a promise."

He smiled faintly, then said something that shattered what was left of my heart.

"You’re just what I wished for in a father," he said quietly. "Kind eyes. Strong voice. And someone who listens. I’m glad it was you."

I blinked, caught completely off guard. "Really?"

He nodded. "Every full moon, I wished Mom was lying when she said my dad was dead."

I laughed softly, brushing away a tear that had somehow escaped. "Then I think your wish worked, kiddo."

He smiled proudly, and in that moment, I realized something. He didn’t just have my face—he had my spirit too. Brave, curious, and gentle.

When I looked up, I caught Hailee’s gaze from across the room. She was watching us quietly, her eyes soft, full of emotion. Peter sat beside her, saying nothing, though his expression was unreadable.

Nathan was still speaking with the doctor near the door, and Dane was listening patiently to Ozzy explaining his drawings.

But for the first time, I didn’t feel like Alpha Callum.

For the first time, I felt like a father.

And as I looked back at Oliver, smiling at me with that light in his eyes, I knew one thing for certain—I wasn’t going to lose him.

Not to Peter.

Not to anyone.