Scarlett’s POV
I sank onto the edge of my bed, my chest tight with grief and restless adrenaline.
I can’t just go, I thought, my fingers digging into the thin mattress. Not like this. If I left now, the last mory I would have of the triplets—the boys who were once my entire world—would be rejection and pain. I had held Liam, even if he hadn’t held back. I had felt the spark of our bond one last ti. But Leo and Leon... I couldn’t leave without seeing them, without hearing their voices once more, even if it was just to hear them tell to get back to work.
My wolf, Zoe, whimpered. She wanted her mates. She wanted to be close to the power that radiated from them, even if that power was currently aid at hurting us.
"Just once more," I whispered to the empty room. "One more ti."
I stood up, quickly splashing cold water on my face to hide the tear tracks. I smoothed down my servant’s tunic, ignoring the way my head throbbed. I needed to find them before the final prayer began, while the pack was still milling around the garden buffet.
I slipped out of my room and moved like a shadow through the corridors. I knew their habits; I knew where they escaped to when the pressure of being "perfect Alphas" beca too much.
I followed their scent and found Leo first.
He was in the small training courtyard behind the main hall, away from the mourners. He was punching a heavy sandbag with brutal intensity. His shirt was discarded, and I could see the muscles in his back rippling with every strike. He looked like a god of war, fueled by a rage I knew I had caused.
"Leo," I said softly.
The sandbag swung violently as he stopped mid-punch. He didn’t turn around imdiately. His breath ca in heavy, ragged gasps.
"I told you to stay out of my way, Scarlett," he growled, his voice low and full of rage.
"I know," I said, taking a tentative step forward. "I just... I wanted to say thank you. For what you did in the shed."
He finally turned, his dark eyes burning with a fire that made my knees weak. He looked at the bruise on my face, and for a split second, his expression crumbled into sothing pained and agonized before the mask of hate slamd back into place.
"Don’t thank ," he snapped, stepping toward until I was backed against the stone archway. "I didn’t do it for you. I did it because no one in this pack hits a female without my permission. You are a servant here, and Silas forgot his place. That’s all."
The cruelty of his words hurt, but I stood my ground. I looked deep into his eyes, searching for the boy who used to share his snacks with . "Is that really all it was?"
His jaw clenched so hard I thought it might snap. He leaned in, his scent of whiskey and rain suffocating . "Three months, Scarlett. That was the deal. Don’t make regret giving you even that much ti."
He turned back to the sandbag, dismissing with a single cold shoulder. I swallowed the lump in my throat and moved on.
Through Leon’s scent, I found him in the library.
It was the only place in the pack house that felt truly quiet today. He was standing by the tall windows, staring out at the forest—the very forest I was about to disappear into. He held a glass of dark liquid in his hand, his posture rigid and lonely.
"Leon?"
He didn’t jump. He didn’t even flinch. He just took a slow sip of his drink. "You’re supposed to be preparing the table for the dinner, Scarlett."
"I will," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "I just wanted to see you. To say I’m sorry... I know you are in pain... we are all in pain. Luna Olivia was a kind queen; she was like a mother to ."
I didn’t know why I was saying this, but this was the only excuse I could give for coming here.
Leon finally looked at . His gaze was different from Liam’s conflict or Leo’s rage. It was cold.
"I don’t need your sympathy or condolences, Scarlett," he said, his voice flat. "Your parents are the reason she’s dead... so don’t stand here pretending you care. Just leave. Get out. I don’t want to see you ever again."
I felt the final string of my heart snap. I nodded slowly, backing toward the door. "You’re right... I’ll stay away. You won’t ever have to see again.
He didn’t ask what I ant. He just turned back to the window, his reflection in the glass looking older than twenty-two years.
I walked away with a heavy heart but a clear mind. I had seen them. I had said my goodbyes. It was enough. I had all the reasons I needed to never look back.
I headed toward the kitchens, but instead of picking up plates for the al, I veered left, toward the servant’s exit.
Getting to my room, I reached under my pillow and pulled out the smartphone Lana had given and the small bag I’d hidden. I didn’t have much, but I had enough. I looked at the red dress one last ti and left it there.
I moved to the window, watching as the pack mbers began to move toward the long tables set up for the evening al. The triplets would be at the head table, flanked by their fathers. They wouldn’t notice my absence.
The door creaked open, and I gasped, spinning around. I expected to see a triplet or a jealous servant, but instead, I was t with the stern, weathered face of Sir Golden, the Head Warrior. He had been one of the few who remained neutral over the years—neither cruel nor kind, simply a man of duty.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice a blank.
"Yes," I whispered, my voice caught in my throat.
He reached into the folds of his dark uniform and handed a thick, heavy coat. "Wear it. Cover your head."
I did as I was told, slipping into the oversized garnt. I pulled the deep hood over my head, the fabric shadowing my face.
"Co with ," he said.
I took one final, lingering look at the tiny room that had been my prison and my sanctuary. Then, I turned my back on it and followed him. He didn’t lead through the main halls or even the servant’s corridors. Instead, he steered toward a heavy tapestry near the back of the mansion. He pulled it aside, revealing a small, unassuming wooden door.
Inside was a narrow, winding underground staircase made of cold, damp stone. My heart hamred against my ribs with every step we took downward. I had lived in this mansion for years, yet I never knew this secret passage existed.
We walked in silence for what felt like miles, the air growing thinner and colder. Finally, we reached a giant iron-reinforced gate. Two guards stood there, their faces blank. They didn’t seem surprised to see .
At a nod from Sir Golden, they pulled the heavy levers. The gates groaned open, revealing the dense woods beyond the pack’s inner walls.
Cool evening air brushed against my face, carrying the scent of damp leaves and earth.
Sir Golden pointed toward a man waiting by a tree.
"He will guide you through the woods," he said. "Outside the forest, a car is waiting. The driver will take you to a private jet that will fly you out."
He stepped aside to let pass. "Goodbye, Scarlett."
I didn’t say anything.
I simply stepped forward, my boots crunching against the mud and fallen leaves.
Behind , the iron gates slamd shut with a heavy echo.
And just like that, the only world I had ever known was sealed behind .
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