Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One-Chapter 12: Apologies

Hailee’s POV

He stepped in, but I didn’t lift my head from the book in front of me. There were so many things I wanted to say to him. God, I wanted to yell. To scream at him. To tell him he had no right to call me names.

But he was Nathan—the Alpha heir.

And to everyone else... I was just an omega.

"I need a book... I can’t find it," he said suddenly.

I wished I could spit in his face and tell him to go to hell. But instead, I stood slowly and walked to the shelves, my back turned to him.

"What’s the name?" I asked, already running my fingers over the spines of the books.

There was a long pause before he spoke again.

"... How to apologize to a lady?"

My hands froze.

I turned around slowly, unsure if I’d heard right—but before I could say a word, his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against him.

I gasped.

"Nathan—" I tried to push him off, but his grip tightened.

"Just... wait," he muttered, almost like he was struggling to breathe. His jaw clenched, and for the first time, he looked unsure of himself. "This... this is hard for me, alright?"

I stilled, my heart racing.

"I’m not good at this," he muttered. "Apologizing. Especially not to girls."

His voice dropped lower. "I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t see you as a loose girl. It’s just that... Damn it—" he swore under his breath and suddenly let go, stepping back and dragging his hands through his hair in frustration.

I held his gaze and something in me wanted to soften. To believe him.

But then Clara’s words echoed in my head—he only kissed you because of a bet.

And just like that, my heart turned to stone again.

"Keep your apologies to yourself... I don’t need it," I spat, turning back to the desk without waiting for his response.

I dropped into my seat and stared at the book in front of me, pretending to read. But the words blurred. My fingers trembled slightly as I held the pages down.

He was still there.

I could feel his presence, his eyes locked on me.

I waited for him to say something else. To push. To bark an order like he always did.

But instead... he turned around and left.

The door clicked softly behind him.

I exhaled, slowly sinking back into the chair. My shoulders sagged. What was that?

Since when did Nathan, the proud, sharp-tongued Alpha heir, start apologizing?

And more importantly... why?

Why did he look so frustrated? So torn? What changed?

This was the same Nathan who once made me feel like dirt beneath his feet. The one who wouldn’t even breathe in my direction unless it was to insult me.

And now... this?

A soft buzz pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced down at my phone. A message.

Callum.

Hey. You okay?

My brows lifted.

Callum? Asking if I was okay?

Since when did any Alpha heir ask me that... when did they start becoming nice?

A small, almost invisible smile touched my lips as I typed back:

Yes. I’m fine.

His reply came seconds later.

Good. I’ll come pick you up after your closing time. You don’t get to say no.

I blinked at the screen.

I didn’t even know what to reply to that. Before I could decide, the library door creaked open again. I looked up—expecting maybe one member of the royal family.

But instead, a guard stepped in... holding a large bouquet of red roses in his arms.

"For you," he said, walking over and placing it gently on the table in front of me.

My mouth fell open slightly. "M-Me?"

He nodded and left without another word.

I stared at the bouquet. It was beautiful—elegant, full, and freshly cut. My fingers reached for the tiny note tucked between the petals.

It was handwritten.

"I’m sorry."

Just two words.

But the handwriting... I recognized it.

Messy, sharp... impatient strokes.

It was Nathan’s.

My heart thudded louder in my chest.

What in the world was going on with him?

I stared at the note, then at the bouquet. A part of me wanted to be moved. Wanted to believe it.

But this was Nathan.

Maybe he’d made another bet... and heaven knows what it’s about this time.

Frowning, I pushed the roses aside and tried to focus on the book. The door creaked open again. I looked up.

It was Mother, dressed in her chef uniform.

Her eyes landed on the flowers. "Are those for you?" she asked, stepping closer.

"Yes," I mumbled.

She raised a curious brow. "From an admirer?"

I didn’t answer directly. "Don’t think too much of it."

She shrugged and pulled a folded envelope from her apron. "They sent a letter."

I didn’t need to ask who. I already knew.

I took it, opened it, and read. My frown deepened.

I was supposed to be happy... but instead, I felt angry.

I handed it back to her.

"You want to respond?" she asked.

"No. Just burn it—like usual. And if they ask, tell them I have read it."

Mother looked like she wanted to say more, but she held back her words, nodded, and left.

The rest of the day crawled by.

I didn’t get much reading done, not really. My mind kept drifting—toward the flowers, the note, and the frustratingly confusing boy who sent them, and not to forget the letter I got. I tried to shut it all out, focus on my tasks, but even the silence of the library felt heavy with thoughts I didn’t want to have.

By the time the clock hit 7 p.m., I felt drained. I gathered the books on my desk and stacked them properly, preparing to shut things down for the night.

My phone buzzed again.

Callum.

I know you’re about to close. I’m on my way.

I stared at the message for a second.

How did he know I was closing right now? Was he watching me?

I shrugged the thought off. Maybe he just had good timing.

Switching off the lights, I left the library, not even bothering to take the roses with me. I left them right there on the desk—where they belonged.

I passed a few staff on my way out and offered them small nods and polite smiles.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Miss Hailee."

But just as I reached the top of the stairs that led to the main exit, I paused.

Someone was there.

Leaning against the wall casually, hands in his pockets, head tilted slightly back like he’d been waiting for a while was Nathan.

My eyes locked with his, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He pushed off the wall slowly, stepping toward me.

"I believe you’ve closed for the day," he said, his voice low. Calm. Different from the harsh tone I was already used to.

I didn’t respond.

I should have walked past him. I should have ignored him like he did me for years. But my feet stayed still. And my heart... God, my heart wouldn’t shut up.

He stopped a few feet in front of me. "I’m going out to get something. I can drive you home on my way."

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