The Triplet Alphas' Secret Mate

Chapter 25: Hit

​Scarlett’s POV

​Lana’s smile didn’t fade, but her eyes turned sharp, a flash of something hard and cold flickering beneath the surface. She stepped closer, placing her hands on my shoulders.

​"My mother loved life, Scarlett," she said quietly. "She wouldn’t want us sitting in the dark crying for the rest of our lives. We’ve mourned for two years. Tonight, we celebrate you. And tonight, we finally breathe."

​I looked at the red dress, then at the door. I could almost feel Liam, Leo, and Leon lurking in the hallways, their hatred and rejections still fresh. Going to a club on the night of their mother’s memorial? If they caught us, there wouldn’t be enough of me left to reject in three months.

​"Lana, please," I whispered. "If the triplets find out..."

​"They won’t," Lana said with a wink. "They’ll be too busy brooding in the study. Now, put the phone in your pocket. We have a long day ahead of us."

​I swallowed the lump in my throat and whispered a shaky thank you. Jane and Jameson stepped forward next, their faces beaming as they handed me their own wrapped presents. Lana then reached for a smaller, elegantly decorated box from the vanity. "And this one," she said, "is from Lyra. She insisted you have it today."

​I took the gifts, my fingers trembling. A sharp, stinging pain flared in my chest—not from the bond this time, but from the guilt of what I was about to do. Lana was talking about dancing and partying, planning a future for us that would never happen. She didn’t know that tonight, when she went looking for me to put on that red gown, I would be gone.

​I was leaving tonight.

my childhood that hadn’t turned cruel, and the realization that I was looking at them for the last time made my vision blur. Suddenly, I couldn’t stop the

as if I were simply overwhelmed

nod, offering a tight, watery smile that felt like a lie. After a few more minutes of forced cheer, I excused myself, claiming I needed to get back to my duties before

the center of my tiny room, my heart breaking. I had to start packing the few things I actually needed, but I couldn’t do it now. The memorial preparations were in full swing,

higher, and the air was getting warmer. I was struggling with a heavy stack of

with hungry eyes. He pinned me

woman. No more playing the little orphan. Be my mistress, and I’ll make sure the rest of the staff stays clear of you. I’ll protect

dirty hands off me, Silas!" I spat, my

My head snapped to the side. Inside me, Zoe howled, her fur bristling with a fury that matched my own. Before I could think, my hand moved on instinct. I slapped him back, the sound echoing like a gunshot in

turned a dark, murderous red.

grabbing the front of my tunic and slamming my head back against the wall. A sharp, white-hot pain exploded behind my eyes, and I screamed as the world began to spin. Darkness

he barked, raising his fist to