The Triplet Alphas' Secret Mate

Chapter 52: Why?

Scarlett’s POV

I ​didn’t know why it hurt this much—but it did. My chest felt heavy, like something was pressing down on it, stealing my breath.

"Okay," I whispered, my voice flat... empty. "Goodnight, Alpha Ethan."

​I didn’t wait for him to explain. I didn’t want to hear who she was or why he had her lipstick smeared on his face. I turned on my heel and walked away, my legs moving as fast as they could without actually running. I felt his eyes on my back the entire way, but I didn’t look back. Not once.

​I reached my room and slammed the door, leaning my back against the wood. I sat down on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor as the silence of the room closed in on me.

​"Why do you even care, Scarlett?" I hissed to myself, gripping the edge of the mattress. "Why does it hurt?"

​I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to force the image of that red lipstick out of my head. I didn’t like him. I barely knew him. He was just a way out—a ticket to a new life where I wouldn’t have to be a servant anymore. He was supposed to be my escape, not someone I actually caught feelings for.

​"You don’t like him," I reminded myself, my voice trembling. "You are just confused... lonely and..." I paused and inhaled deeply, trying to calm my nerves. My wolf, Zoe, was silent, leaving me alone to my thoughts.

​A sudden knock came on the door. Even without opening it, the scent told me exactly who it was. My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to stay calm. I composed my face, wiped any trace of hurt from my eyes, and opened the door.

​Alpha Ethan stepped inside without waiting for an invitation and shut the door behind him. I acted like everything was okay, keeping my voice light. "Do you need anything, Alpha Ethan?" I asked, already planning how to dismiss him so I could be alone with my thoughts.

walked right up to me, his hands reaching out to cup

my resistance crumbled. I closed my eyes and kissed him back, my wolf, Zoe, howling disapprovingly in the back of my mind. It was wrong—I knew the triplets would feel it. Our bond

to be wanted...to

pulled away, his breathing ragged. He shook his

his voice thick. "I

tingling from the kiss. "Is it because I’m your cousins’ mate?" I whispered, already

bitter sound escaping his throat.

"Then what?

He looked at me with an intensity that made my knees weak,

moment of awkward silence, he inhaled deeply,

the kiss," he said, his voice dropping to a

at him, my heart still racing

Completely out of place.

to apologize," I said, trying to sound stronger

his gray eyes unreadable as he stepped back toward the

me another glance as he walked to the door, pushed it

was that? Why did he kiss me if he was just going to pull away? And why did it feel like

throat, my wolf Zoe standing on high alert.