The Triplet Alphas' Secret Mate

Chapter 144: The Ultimate Test

​Leo’s POV

​I handed the trophy to her, my fingers brushing hers again. That same electric shock bolted through me, but I forced my face to remain cold and unreadable.

​"Join the high table for a meal," I said, my voice leaving no room for a ’no.’ "A champion should eat with the Alphas."

​She stood still for a second, then gave a quick, sharp nod of her head. She couldn’t refuse an invitation like that without insulting every Alpha in the arena. I turned and walked back to my seat, but my mind was already three steps ahead.

​I was never supposed to be here. When the invitation first landed on my desk, requesting one of the triplet Alphas to honor the festival with their presence, I had been seconds away from tossing it into the trash. I was ready to ignore it entirely—until my eyes caught the country: Nigeria. My heart had stuttered as I remembered the bangle. That single piece of jewelry, linked to a past I couldn’t bury, was the only reason I had boarded a plane. Now, staring at this masked warrior, that impulsive decision felt less like chance... and more like fate playing a twisted game with me.

​The festival continued with more noise and cheering, but I was focused on the table being set behind us. I signaled a maid, leaning in close so no one else could hear.

​"Do you have strawberries and coconut juice?" I asked.

​The maid looked surprised but bowed. "Yes, Alpha Leo. We have fresh fruit and milk from the coast."

​"Good," I said, my voice dark. "Put them on the menu for the high table. Make sure the champion is served the strawberries for dessert and the coconut juice as her drink. Do not fail me."

​The maid nodded quickly and hurried away. I sat back, my eyes fixed on her.

​This was the ultimate test. Scarlett was deathly allergic to strawberries. When she was twelve, she had taken one tiny bite and almost died. Her throat had closed up instantly, and if my mother hadn’t been there with her healing ability, she would have been dead. As for coconut—it wasn’t deadly, but her body hated it. One sip of coconut juice and she would be vomiting within minutes.

​If this woman was Scarlett, she wouldn’t go anywhere near those things. And if she wasn’t... then I was just a crazy man watching a stranger eat.

their spots, and I sat directly across from Samantha. The food was brought out—rich meats, spicy rice, and then, the tray I had been waiting for. A bowl of bright red strawberries was placed right in front of her, along with

her through narrowed eyes. I didn’t eat. I didn’t breathe. I just waited for her to push the bowl away or show even a hint of

didn’t hesitate. Not

picked up a large, ripe strawberry, and slipped it beneath the edge of her helmet. I heard the faint sound of her chewing. My heart sank into my stomach. Then, she reached for another. And another. She ate

head back slightly and drank the coconut juice in long, steady

waited. Five

gasping for air. No rushing to the bushes to

disappointment hit like a punch I didn’t see coming, knocking the air straight out of my lungs. It felt like I had lost her all over again. The

whimpered, curling up into a ball of misery in

stem snapped, the red liquid staining my hand like blood. I didn’t even notice. I

my soul... it had to mean something. But science and biology didn’t lie. Scarlett was dead, and I

Alpha Musa asked, looking at my blood-stained hand.

I didn’t even look at him. My eyes were locked

her head, her hands moving in a slow,

something wrong? She asked through sign

evidence that proved she wasn’t my Scarlett, but I wasn’t backing

voice low but

tensing. She looked at the other Alphas, clearly

"So, this is it, Alpha Leo? You have an interest in her. This explains your strange reaction today—the sparring, the staring, the sudden questions. You could

you are a High Alpha. It is only natural for power to be drawn to power. If you want a private moment to talk to our warrior, we

to warm my bed. It was better than them knowing I was a man losing

I said, standing up and looking directly at

maid. "Take them to the private guest