Scarlett’s POV

​Leonard’s pace turned wild, his hips slamming into me with a speed that made my breath hitch in painful gasps. It was too much—too fast. My head tossed back against the pillows, and for a second, the pleasure was so sharp it felt like I was going unconscious. I reached back, my hands pressing against his chest to try and push him away and catch my breath, but he was like an immovable wall of fire.

​Then, with a final, guttural roar that vibrated through my entire body, he stiffened. I felt the hot, heavy pulse of his release filling me deep inside, over and over, as he finally broke. He collapsed on top of me, his full weight pinning me into the mattress, his chest heaving as he panted against my neck.

​We stayed like that for a long time, the only sound in the room our broken breathing. Slowly, my hands found his head. I began to stroke his thick hair, my fingers tracing the tense muscles of his back. It felt so natural, so right, that for a moment I forgot I was supposed to be a stranger.

​He hugged me tightly, burying his face in my hair. "Is Samantha your real name?" he rasped, his voice muffled.

​"Yes," I whispered, the lie tasting bitter on my lips.

​He hummed against my skin, a low vibration of satisfaction. After a few more minutes, he slowly pulled out of me. I felt the slick heat of his seed escaping with him, a messy reminder of what we had just done. We lay side by side, staring up at the dark ceiling.

​"Do you regret it?" he asked quietly.

​I took a breath, feeling the lingering tingles in my thighs. "No," I said honestly. "It was actually some of the best sex of my life."

​Leonard chuckled, a sound of pure Alpha pride. "Well, that is a compliment."

​"It is," I murmured.

​"There is something about you, Samantha," he said, turning his head to look at me in the shadows. "I can’t explain it. It’s like..."

​I swallowed hard, my heart jumping into my throat. Should I tell him? The words were right there, screaming to be let out. But telling him was too risky. I had barely escaped Leo’s possession; if I added Leonard into this mess, it would be a disaster.

​I shrugged, trying to keep my voice steady, and began to move to get up. But he reached out, his hand firm on my arm, drawing me back into his arms.

​"Please stay the night," he said.

​"I can’t," I said, looking away.

​"Please."

​"No," I insisted, my voice cracking slightly. "I have to leave, sir."

​He looked frustrated, his jaw tightening in the dim light. "Please, just stay."

​I knew I had to end this. I needed a reason he wouldn’t argue with. "I have a boyfriend," I lied, the words coming out fast. "Please... this is a one-time thing. It was like an adventure for me."

​The silence that followed was cold. I stood up, feeling his eyes devouring my naked body as I began to pull on my clothes. My hands were shaking as I fastened my silk wrap.

​"At least let me see what you look like," he said, his voice pleading now.

​"It’s better if you don’t," I replied, adjusting the silver mask. "I don’t want you to recognize me in public someday."

​I turned to grab my heels, ready to bolt for the door, when suddenly, the door creaked open. The light from the hallway flooded in, and my heart stopped.

​I turned, my blood turning to ice, to see Leo walking into the suite.

​His eyes were wide and dark. Even with my red wig and the feathers covering my face, I felt his gaze pierce right through me. A shifter’s eyes don’t just see; they feel. I knew the second his heart skipped a beat that he knew exactly who I was.

​But he didn’t say my name. He didn’t scream. Instead, he looked at Leonard, who was still half-dressed on the bed. His voice was low and dangerous, vibrating with a cold anger.

​"Leonard, what is going on here?" Leo asked.

​Leonard didn’t look ashamed. He sat up, his bare chest glowing in the light, his jaw set. "None of your business, Leo. Get out."

​"None of my business?" Leo stepped further into the room, his nostrils flaring as he caught the scent of sex and sweat in the air. He looked back at me, his eyes burning with a mix of hurt and fury.

​"Please excuse me," I whispered, my voice shaking. I didn’t wait for either of them to answer. I grabbed my heels and ran.

​I ran down the hall, my heart hitting my ribs like a trapped bird. My breath came in short, painful gasps. I finally reached my room, fumbled with the key, and burst inside. I slammed the door and leaned against it, sliding down to the floor.

​I tore off the silver mask, throwing it across the room. Then, I pulled off the red wig, my natural hair falling around my shoulders. I felt like I was suffocating. I scrambled into the bathroom and turned the shower on as hot as it would go.

​As the steam filled the room, a voice finally echoed in my mind. It was Zoe, my wolf. She had been hiding deep in the shadows all night, but now she was back.

​You should have told him, Scarlett, she said, her voice sounding sad. You should have told Leonard the truth.

​"No," I whispered, rubbing my face with my hands. "Not telling him is better. It has to stay this way."

​He felt you, Zoe insisted, even if he didn’t know it was you.

​"Please let me be," I snapped, stepping into the hot water. I washed my skin until it was red, trying to scrub away the feeling of Leonard’s hands and the look in Leo’s eyes.

​After I finished, I wrapped myself in a soft robe and walked back into the bedroom. Just as I was drying my hair, a loud, heavy knock hit the door.

​I didn’t even have to ask who it was. I could smell him. The scent of him was everywhere.

​I swallowed hard and opened the door. Leo didn’t wait for an invite. He barged in, his face red with anger. I quickly locked the door behind him, my heart racing again.

​"Scarlett, what was that?" he yelled, turning to face me.

​"What?" I asked, trying to act like I didn’t know.

​"Don’t play dumb with me!" Leo stepped into my space, his shadow towering over me. "You fucked Leonard. I saw you. I smelled you on him."

​"Yes," I said, tilting my chin up. "I did."

​He looked like he wanted to break something. He was mad—no, he was jealous. Pure, Alpha jealousy. He had just had me earlier that day, and the idea of me being with his brother was driving his wolf insane.

​"Why?" he growled, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "Why him? Why would you go to his room after being with me? Was I not enough? Did you need both of us in one day?"

​He kept talking, his words getting meaner as his temper flared. He was pacing the room like a caged animal, throwing questions at me that I didn’t want to answer.

​Finally, I snapped. My own anger rose up to meet his.

​"My body is mine, Leo!" I shouted, stepping toward him. "I don’t belong to you! And besides, we are no longer mates. You have a wife, remember? You don’t get to tell me who I can be with."

​"You are mine!" he roared, his eyes glowing amber.

​"I am nobody’s!" I yelled back, pointing to the door. "Get out, Leo. Get out right now!"