Lennox’s POV

I felt terrible. For the past two hours, since returning from the woods, I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. The raw pain I saw in Olivia’s eyes, the anger—it told me how deeply my words must have hurt her. I felt horrible and considered going to her, but if I did, what would I say? Apologize? Tell her I wouldn’t keep it a secret? Tell her I would let go of the past and accept our bond? All that was impossible. So what was the point in going to her? Maybe she was right. Maybe this…whatever it is between us…needs to end. She never truly wanted me. It was never me. So I should just leave it that way.

With a heavy sigh, I walked to the far end of my room where a small safe was tucked behind a shelf. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached out and brushed the dust off the keypad. I hadn’t opened it in months. Maybe even a year.

Six…one…seven…eight…

The soft click echoed in the silence as the safe unlocked. I hesitated for a moment, staring at the small door, then slowly opened it. My hand reached inside and pulled it out. I just stood there, staring at it as the weight of memories came crashing down. My throat tightened. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I didn’t blink them away.

It’s been four years. Four damn years. And it still hurt like hell. Every time I saw it, it felt like a blade twisting in my chest all over again. I could never bring myself to burn it…never could throw it away either. I kept telling myself that one day—one day—I’d confront her with it. Look her in the eyes and demand answers. But every time I got close…I froze. Because deep down, I wasn’t sure I wanted the truth. What if she admits it? What if she looks me dead in the eye and says, “Yes, I did it”? What then?

How the hell would I survive that?

I inhaled deeply and shoved the item back into the safe. Closed it. Locked it. I returned to the couch, picking up my glass of whiskey, trying to drown myself in alcohol, like I did that day. I almost drank myself to death. Olivia had hurt me so dearly. How can I still have a place for her in my heart? Why can’t my heart see reason and hate her? I was supposed to feel nothing but hate for that woman.

A sudden knock came on the door, and before I could ask the person to go away, the door pushed open. I frowned, already knowing it was my mother through her vanilla scent. She stepped in and slowly shut the door. Immediately, her eyes landed on me, and a worried look spread across her face. I grumbled, wishing I had locked my door.

“Lennox, is everything okay?” She sounded so worried as she moved closer.

I rubbed my forehead. “Yes, Mother,” I replied. “Just…pack stress.” I lied.

Mother, who didn’t seem to believe me, sat on my bed, her eyes studying me. It was obvious she didn’t believe me, but my mother knew I hated being questioned. When I said I was fine, it was better not to question me.

After a moment, she sighed. “I’m here to discuss an important matter with you. I should have discussed it with you and your brothers, but since you are the eldest, I thought of coming to you.”

I frowned. “Mother, we’re triplets. None of us is older.”

Mother rolled her eyes. “You know that’s not true. You came out first, and ten minutes later, I had Levi, and five minutes later came Louis,” she argued.

I scowled at her. Here she went again, bringing up this age debate. I wasn’t in the mood for it. “Fine,” I muttered. “Go on, then. What is it you need to say?”

She glanced at the whiskey glass in my hand, then looked back up at me. “The full moon is in two weeks.”

My heart skipped a beat. My fingers froze around the glass. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t need to. I knew exactly what that meant. Olivia’s first heat.

My jaw clenched tightly as I stared into the amber liquid swirling in the glass. The room suddenly felt colder, like someone had cracked open the window and let winter inside.

In werewolf tradition, any she-wolf who has been marked—willingly or not—experiences heat under the full moon. It’s intense, uncontrollable…primal. She desires her mate, aches for him. But if the mate isn’t there or refuses her, that ache becomes torment. Desperation. And sometimes…she’ll take anyone just to case it.

My throat burned with that thought. Another man touching her. Another man holding her the way only I should. No. My grip tightened around the glass, and I had to force myself not to shatter it in my hand.

“I thought it’s best to remind you,” my mother continued gently, watching me with a mixture of sympathy and hesitation. “You and your brothers marked her, Lennox. Whether you accept her or not, the bond exists. You might not be ready, but your wolf—her wolf—won’t care about reasons.”

I shut my eyes briefly and exhaled through my nose. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because you need to prepare yourself—you and your brothers. This is Olivia’s first heat. I know what she will go through if you men refuse to touch her.”

The room fell into silence. I understood what Mother said. I know what it means for a woman to go through her first heat after being marked. Some whose mates aren’t around end up sleeping with different male wolves just to quench the heat.

I thought of Olivia. Of how she had broken me. Then I looked away.

“Mother, I think you should have the discussion with either Levi or Louis because Anita also bears my mark, and she will be on heat that day, so I will be with her,” I murmured and saw the disappointment on my mother’s face. “Maybe one of them will choose to be with Olivia,” I added, even though I knew the odds were slim.

My mother glared at me, clearly disappointed, but she didn’t argue or press on. Rather, she stood to her feet and walked away.

I downed the rest of the whiskey and slammed the glass on the table. The burn in my throat didn’t compare to the pain clawing through my chest. I ran a hand through my hair and let out a low growl. What pissed me off the most was…she was right. My wolf was already agitated just hearing it. The thought of Olivia needing—craving—a touch during that damn full moon and me not being there?

No. Hell no. But then I reminded myself. She hurt you. She never even wanted me. Not really. She said it herself. So why the hell did I still care?

Even now…even after everything…a twisted part of me still ached for her. Still saw the girl who once looked at me like I was her whole world—even if it was all a goddamn lie.

I thought of Levi and Louis. I knew they would also not accept being with Olivia. They hate her too. But what if one of them agrees? Or worse, what if both my brothers agree? Then what will happen? Would I be with Anita…while my brothers touched the woman I still dreamed about? The thought made me restless. I couldn’t even imagine it in my head.