The Triplet Alphas' Secret Mate

Chapter 54: Reject His Offer

Scarlett’s POV

​I expected him to yell. I expected the full force of his Alpha rage, but instead, the fire in his eyes just... went out. He looked smaller, his shoulders sagging as he stared at me with raw, broken pain.

​"I want to accept you," he whispered, the word dropping like a bomb. "I want to accept this bond, Scarlett."

​I froze. My heart, which had been hammering against my ribs, felt like it stopped beating entirely. I was confused. After two years of cold shoulders and averted eyes, he was saying the words I used to cry myself to sleep wishing for.

​"Scarlett... I will be made Alpha tomorrow," he continued, stepping closer until I could feel the warmth of his breath. "Just give me a few days. Once the coronation is over, I’ll tell everyone. I’ll stand in front of the pack and say it... that you are my mate. That you are my Luna."

​I looked at him, and for the first time, I didn’t know what to feel. Days ago—even hours ago—I would have done anything to hear him say this. I would have crawled through broken glass for this moment. But right now, standing here with the ghost of Ethan’s kiss on my lips and the bruises of the last two years on my soul, I felt... hollow.

​"Say something," he begged, his voice trembling. "Please, Scarlett."

​I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat painful... then slowly shook my head. "Leo... don’t."

​His eyes blinked, wide and wounded. "Why? Scarlett, I’m giving you everything. I’m telling you I’m choosing you."

​"What am I saying?" I repeated, my voice rising as a sudden anger rose up in my chest. "I’m saying don’t do it. Let’s just keep things the way they are. I don’t want to accept this bond. I don’t want to be your Luna."

I know I hurt you. I know I was a coward, but I will make up for it. I swear on my life, I’ll make it

if

space,

parents," I spat. "How are you going to make up for that? Will you bring them back?

​His face went pale.

but no words came

room. "You can’t. You can’t

out at the dark trees. I wanted him gone. I wanted the scent of him out of my room so I could stop feeling like my heart was being

of hearing the door open, I felt a sudden rush of

against his chest, burying his face in the crook of my neck. I froze, my hands hovering over his as his touch

Scarlett," he whispered against my skin, his voice muffled

couldn’t. My wolf, Zoe, was stirring, her tail tucking between her legs at the sound of his pain. She wanted to lean into him, but

afraid I would vanish if he let go. "You may not believe it, but you were my first and

words I had waited years for felt

shaky against my back. "I will fight. I don’t

kept my back turned, my eyes fixed on the window. I heard his heavy footsteps move toward the door. I heard the click of the latch as he opened it, and then the soft thud as he

in my bed, pulling the thin blanket over my shoulders. My wolf, Zoe, was whimpering and whining inside me, mourning

and eyes, I finally woke up. I glanced at the small clock on

a moment, I just lay there, staring at nothing. My chest felt tight,

voice wouldn’t leave