​Leo’s POV

​I looked up at her, my mind screaming with a thousand questions. Why did she fake her death? How did she even pull it off? And the seers—the powerful seers who swore they saw her soul leave this world—had they lied to us? Or were they under some kind of dark spell? I was dying to know the truth, but every time I opened my mouth, the fear of her vanishing again choked the words back.

​She reached out, cupping my face with her palms. Her touch was warm, but it didn’t trigger that familiar feeling in our bond. "You look bothered, Leo," she whispered.

​"You know why, Scar," I said, my voice rough. "I have so much to ask. My head is spinning."

​"I know," she said, her thumbs brushing my cheekbones. "And I will tell you. I will tell you and your brothers everything... when the time is right."

​I frowned, a sharp feeling of jealousy hitting me. Why do my brothers have to be involved in this part? Why can’t it just be me and you? Why do we have to wait?

​I looked at her, searching for any hint of the girl I used to know. "If I hadn’t found you today... if I hadn’t forced that helmet off... would you have ever come back to me?"

​She looked away, her voice small. "No. I intended to wait for two more years. That’s why I need you to keep this quiet."

​I let out a long, heavy sigh. Two years. Was this the secret our families were hiding? Was this part of some bigger game? "Does my father know?" I asked, the suspicion bubbling up. "Does he know you’re alive?"

​"Please, Leo," she pleaded, her eyes filling with those same terrifying thoughts. "Don’t ask me any more questions. Not tonight."

​"I’m sorry," I said quickly, reaching for her hands. "I’m sorry, I won’t press you. I just..." I trailed off, leaning my forehead against hers. "I missed you so much, Scar. Every single day, I regretted what happened. I hated myself for not protecting you. I’ve lived in a cage of guilt for three years."

​She smiled sadly, a look of deep understanding in her eyes. "I know, Leo. I understand."

​I leaned back, taking her in. She was different—stronger, harder, yet somehow more fragile. "You’ve changed so much. Even the strawberries... you ate them like they were nothing. How?"

​A small, knowing smile touched her lips. She held up her right hand, and before my eyes, a soft, golden glow began to radiate from her palm. My eyes widened in shock.

​"You’re a healer," I breathed, my heart racing. "A real healer."

​"Yes," she said, the glow fading as she lowered her hand. "That’s why the strawberries didn’t kill me. I can heal the reaction before it even starts."

​I laughed, a genuine, shocked sound of joy. I felt a surge of intense admiration. "I’m so proud of you, Scar. So fucking proud. You’ve become so powerful."

​She blushed, the first real bit of color returning to her face. For a moment, the tension in the room softened, replaced by a quiet, intimate warmth.

​She shifted on the bed, her movements a bit stiff from the heavy armor she had been wearing all day. She looked down at her clothes, then back at me, a shy look crossing her face.

​"Leo," she said softly, "it’s been a long day... and this armor was so heavy. I feel like I’m still covered in the dust of the arena... I want to take a bath."

​"I think there is a bathroom over there," I said, pointing toward a heavy wooden door on the far side of the suite.

​She nodded, giving my hand a final, gentle squeeze. "I’ll be back soon," she whispered before standing up and heading toward the door.

​As the bathroom door clicked shut, I sank back onto the bed, my head in my hands. My heart was racing with anxiety. I felt like a nervous teenager all over again. Every feeling I thought I had buried—the love, the desire, the raw need for her—was back with a vengeance.

​"Go to her," my wolf urged, his voice a low, hungry growl in my mind. "She is ours. Why are you still sitting here? Join her."

​I shook my head, trying to quiet him. "No, I can’t just... I don’t want to push her," I muttered to the empty room.

​"Don’t be a fool," my wolf snapped, his voice sharp and impatient. "Her saying she wants to bathe was an invitation for you. Can’t you read the room? She wants you."

​I still shook my head.

​But he wouldn’t stop. He kept pacing in the back of my mind, reminding me of every touch we used to share, every moment I thought I’d never have again. I stood up, feeling like a complete fool, my feet moving toward the bathroom door before my brain could tell them to stop.

​I reached the door and hesitated. My hand hovered over the wood for a long second before I finally let out a breath and knocked softly.

​"Scar?" I called out, my voice sounding shaky even to my own ears. "Can I... can I come in?"

​Silence.

​I immediately felt a wave of regret. "I’m sorry, Scar. That was stupid. I’ll just wait out..."

The door swung open before I could finish.

​I didn’t even have time to blink before her hand shot out, grabbing the front of my shirt and pulling me inside. The door slammed shut behind me, and she pushed me back against the cool tile wall with surprising strength.

​My breath hitched in my throat. She was completely naked, her skin still damp, glowing softly under the bathroom lights. She looked like a masterpiece.

​A low groan escaped my lips as my hands moved instinctively, finding the curve of her waist before sliding down to grip her bare ass cheeks. The contact was electric, a jolt of pure pleasure that sent me wild.

​She didn’t say a word. Her eyes were dark, focused entirely on me as she reached for my shirt. Her fingers moved with a purpose, quickly unbuttoning the buttons, her breath hot against my neck.

​I tilted my head back against the wall, my eyes closing as I felt her hands slide my shirt off my shoulders.