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.

right up to me, his hands reaching out to cup

He kept kissing me, his touch firm and possessive. Slowly, my resistance crumbled. I closed my eyes and kissed him back, my wolf, Zoe, howling disapprovingly in the back of my

care. I felt a desperate need to be wanted...to be desired. I kissed him back, even though I knew this wasn’t

his breathing ragged. He shook his head, looking almost pained as he stepped

rasped, his voice thick.

stared at him, my lips still tingling from the kiss. "Is it because I’m your cousins’ mate?" I whispered,

escaping his throat. "Hell

deepening. "Then what?

his chest. He looked at me with an intensity that made my knees weak, but then he hesitated.

moment of awkward silence, he inhaled deeply, his

he said, his voice

my heart still racing in my ears. The words felt

Completely out of place.

have to apologize," I said, trying to sound stronger than I

gave me a stiff nod, his gray eyes unreadable as he stepped back

the door, pushed it open, stepped

ceiling. My mind was a mess. What was that? Why did he kiss me if he

because a sudden rustle from the balcony caught my attention. Before I could even react, a dark figure jumped onto the balcony. I jumped off the bed, my heart in my throat, my wolf Zoe standing on high alert. The dim light of the room hit his face, and my breath hitched. By the flash of those