Chapter 56
Scarlett’s POV
I looked around the woods, feeling trapped. I knew he wasn’t bluffing. Leon was the most disciplined of the triplets, and when he set his mind to something, he never let go. If I didn’t give him what he wanted now, he would humiliate me in front of everyone I knew.
Zoe was pacing in my head, sensing my distress. She wanted out. She wanted to show him that we weren’t weak.
“Fine,” I spat, my voice thick with resentment. “But stay back. If you move an inch closer while I’m changing, I’ll rip your throat out before I even find my paws p>
Leon rolled his eyes, clearly not moved by my threats.
“Turn around,” I commanded, I snarled.
Leon’s brow arched, and he let out a short, dry laugh. “What? Don’t be ridiculous, Scarlett. You have a wolf now, and soon you’ll be shifting with the entire pack during training. Seeing each other naked is something you should be used to by now p>
I didn’t budge. I kept my arms locked over my chest, my glare fixed on him. “Until then, I’m still allowed my privacy. Turn around p>
“No,” he said stubbornly, his jaw setting. He didn’t even blink. “I’m not moving. Besides, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m standing here naked too. It’s not like I’m hiding anything from you p>
“That was your choice,” I shot back, my frown deepening. “Now, my choice is for you to turn your back. I am not undressing while you gawk at me p>
He scoffed, a dark, playful glint entering his eyes as he took a half-step closer. “What is it, Scarlett? Are you worried that I won’t find your body attractive? Is that what this is about p>
He smirked, and I could feel the heat of his gaze. I knew exactly what he was doing—he was rage-baiting me, trying to get under my skin to make me lose my composure. He wanted me to snap so he could have the upper hand.
I decided to play his game, but with much sharper teeth. I let my gaze drop slowly, trailing down his chest, over his abs, and landing directly on his cock. My insides clenched with a sudden, traitorous heat, but I kept my face blank.
I looked back up at his face, a mocking tilt to my lips. “Well, I can see why you’re insecure,” I said smoothly. “I’ve seen Leo and Liam naked during their shifts recently, and from what I’m seeing I gestured vaguely toward his lap. “They are way bigger than you in size. You really have to work on that, Leon p>
The smirk vanished from his face instantly. His pupils dilated until his eyes were almost entirely black, and a low, angry growl rumbled deep in his chest. I had hit his Alpha pride, and the air in the woods suddenly felt like it was charged with a suffocating aura.
“What did you say?” he snarled.
“You heard me,” I said, feeling a surge of triumph even as my heart hammered against my ribs. “And sadly for you, Leon, I’m actually proud of my body. If you want to watch so badly, then watch p>
I held his angry, dark gaze, refusing to let him see me tremble. Slowly, deliberately, I reached for the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head, tossing it onto the damp leaves. I followed with my pants, leaving me in nothing but my underwear. I saw his eyes track every movement, his jaw so tight I thought it might snap.
I reached back and unhooked my bra. As it fell away, I felt the cool morning air hit my skin, and my nipples hardened instantly under his predatory stare. His eyes darkened until they were pits of obsidian, his chest heaving with a jagged rhythm. I didn’t stop. I hooked my fingers into the waistband of my lace panties and slid them down my legs, stepping out of them until I was standing completely naked before him.
Leon swallowed hard, a visible ripple moving down his throat. The silence in the woods was deafening, but I could feel it—his desire was thick and suffocating, clashing with the rage I’d poked just moments before.
I didn’t give him a second to recover. I didn’t say a word. I reached deep inside, calling to Zoe, and let the change take me. My bones snapped and reformed, my skin stretching and fur sprouting.
When the transition was complete, I shook out my fur and stood tall on four paws. I looked up at him, and I saw his eyes widen in pure, unadulterated shock.
“You’re a red wolf,” he whispered, his voice breathless.
I didn’t answer him. I didn’t even give him a growl. I just turned on my heel and bolted, my paws thudding against the earth as I pushed for speed.
But I wasn’t alone. Behind me, I heard a thunderous growl that shook the trees, followed by the terrifying sound of Leon shifting mid-air. He let out a roar as he lunged after me, the heavy, powerful beat of his paws hitting the ground right on my tail.
I was fast, but I was no match for him. Leon’s wolf was a force of nature that didn’t just run; it conquered the ground. In a matter of seconds, the air behind me exploded, and a heavy weight slammed into my side, sending us both tumbling into a bed of thick ferns.
He pinned me to the ground instantly, his massive, wine-colored wolf looming over me. His paws were on my shoulders, and his golden brown eyes were blown wide with something that looked like awe mixed with terror.
“You are a red wolf,” his voice rumbled through the mind link, vibrating in my very skull.
I bared my teeth, my ears flattening against my head. “Yes. So what p>
“Scarlett, you are fucking special,” he countered, his wolf’s hot breath huffing against my snout. “Do you have any idea what this means p>