Scarlett’s POV

​"You aren’t going back to your apartment," Chen said, his voice firm as he gripped the steering wheel tight. "It isn’t safe there. I am taking you to my house. It has good security and guards at the gate."

​I was too tired to argue with him. I just nodded and leaned my head against the cool glass window.

​When we arrived at his large estate, the security guards quickly opened the gates, and Chen drove us straight up to the front doors. He led me inside, walking me up the grand stairs to a large, beautiful guest room.

​"You are safe here, Scarlett," Chen said softly, turning on the warm lights. He looked into my eyes, his face full of deep worry. "Do you have any idea who those men could be? Did you see their faces?"

​"No," I whispered, looking down at my hands. "I have no idea."

​Chen sighed, running a hand through his neat hair. "Maybe it is some jealous art rival. Your painting just sold for fifty million dollars tonight, Scar. The art world can get very ugly and dangerous when that much money is involved."

​I nodded, pretending to agree with his human logic. "Maybe you are right," I said, faking a small smile. But inside, my stomach twisted. I knew it wasn’t an art rival. Normal human painters don’t hire masked werewolves with guns to shoot up a crowded riverside restaurant.

​Chen stepped closer and gently kissed my forehead. "Get some rest. No one can get past the security gates tonight. I will be just down the hall if you need me."

​"Thank you, Chen," I said softly. He gave me one last caring look and closed the door behind him.

​The moment the door clicked shut, the silence of the room felt heavy. I threw myself onto the soft guest bed, burying my face in my hands.

​Do you think it is the triplets’ parents? my wolf suddenly spoke up in my mind, her voice sharp and anxious. Think about it, Scar. They are the only people who would actually want us dead to protect their precious prophecy.

​I let out a long, heavy sigh, staring up at the ceiling. I don’t even know what to think anymore, I replied to her. But it makes sense. Three years ago in Paris, someone tried to kill me in my own room. And now, just a few hours after I reveal myself to Liam, Leonard, and Leo, another gunman shows up? It can’t be a coincidence.

​Needing answers and feeling completely alone, I opened my mind and reached out for a mind link. I called out to Alpha Ethan.

​These days, I didn’t usually talk to him much. Ethan had moved on with his life. He was happily married to his fated mate, he got his happy ending, and they were even expecting a baby now. I didn’t like to bother him with my dark drama, but right now, he was the only person who knew my past.

​The link connected, and Ethan’s voice popped into my head, sounding surprised but warm. Scar? What’s up? It has been a while.

​Ethan, I was shot at today, I told him straight out, my mental voice shaking. I was at a restaurant in China with a friend, and a masked werewolf opened fire through the window. I had to dive to the floor to dodge the bullets.

​What?! Ethan roared through the link, his Alpha instincts flaring up instantly. Are you hurt? Did they hit you?

​I’m fine, I didn’t get hit, I quickly answered to calm him down. Then, I explained everything to him. Ethan, I think it is the exact same person who sent those assassins to my room in Paris three years ago. The scent of the wolves was the same. And it happened just a few hours after I talked to the triplets on the phone and told them I was alive. I think someone is tracking me.

​Ethan sighed and groaned, his mind link buzzing with protective anger as he processed the news. Scarlett, that place is not safe for you anymore, he said firmly. If someone knows you are in China and they are actively sending shooters, you need to leave right now. Come to my pack. We have the best warriors, and my borders are locked down tight. You will be completely safe here. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

​I closed my eyes, thinking about his offer. It was a very good idea, and I knew Ethan would protect me with his life. But then I pictured his pack house. I pictured his new life, his happy home, and his pregnant mate.

​There was too much complicated history between me and Ethan. If I moved into his pack house while running from a dark prophecy and three furious triplet Alphas, it would bring danger straight to his doorstep. It might not sit well with his mate, and the last thing I wanted to do was ruin his perfect family.

​No, Ethan, I told him softly through the link, shaking my head in the dark room. Thank you, but I can’t come to your pack. I can’t bring this trouble to your mate and your unborn child. I will stay at my friend’s house tonight, and tomorrow I will think of something else.

​Scarlett, listen to me, Ethan’s voice cut through the link again, sounding deeply frustrated and worried. If you won’t come to my pack house, at least let me send some of my top warriors to China to guard you. You cannot stay there alone with just human security.

​No, Ethan, I replied, my mental voice firm even though I was trembling inside. If your warriors cross into China, it will create suspicion. I need to handle this quietly. Just... keep this between us. Please.

​Ethan let out a long, heavy groan through the link. Fine. But if anything else happens, you call me immediately. Do you hear me, Scar? No matter what.

​I promise, I whispered.

​I broke the mind link, letting out a breath I felt like I had been holding for hours. The room went completely quiet again. I pulled my knees up to my chest, staring at the large window of Chen’s guest room. The moon was high and bright in the sky, casting long shadows across the floor.

​I felt so trapped. On one side, my past was catching up to me. The triplets knew I was alive, and they were probably on their way to China right now to claim me and drag me back to the pack. On the other side, a hidden enemy wanted me dead, sending masked killers to shoot up a public restaurant.

​I lay my head back down on the pillow, my mind spinning with a million questions. How did the killers find me so fast? Who gave them my location?