Leo’s POV

​I didn’t hold back. I withdrew almost all the way before slamming back into her with a force that made the headboard crack against the wall. Scarlett let out a broken, low-pitched cry, her legs wrapping around my waist to pull me even deeper.

​"Leo... yes... right there," she whimpered, her head tossing back and forth on the pillow.

​I picked up the pace, my thrusts becoming fast and rhythmic. Each hit was heavy and wet, the sound of our bodies colliding filling the small room. I watched her—the way her breasts bounced with every strike, the way her eyes rolled back into her head as I hit that sweet spot deep inside her over and over again. My wolf was howling, claiming her with every lunge, demanding that I leave my mark so deeply she could never forget the feel of me.

​I reached down between us, my thumb finding her clit again, grinding against it as I continued to fuck her. The combination was too much. Her internal muscles began to spasm, milking my cock with a fast, rhythmic suction that nearly pushed me over the edge.

​"I’m going to... Leo, I’m coming!" she screamed, her nails drawing blood as she raked them down my shoulders.

​"Come for me, Scar," I growled, my voice sounding like a beast’s. "Take it all."

​She shattered. Her entire body went rigid, her back arching off the mattress as a violent, pulsing orgasm took hold of her. She cried out my name, her face flushed and beautiful in the throes of pleasure. Watching her break like that was the final straw. I gripped her hips, my fingers bruising her soft skin, and delivered three more bone-deep thrusts before I followed her into the abyss.

​I groaned, a long, guttural sound of pure release as I came deep inside her. I felt my knot beginning to swell, locking us together, sealing the claim I had been starving for. I collapsed on top of her, my heart racing against hers, both of us drenched in sweat and gasping for air.

​The room was silent except for our heavy breathing. For a few minutes, the prophecy, my brothers, and the danger outside didn’t exist. There was only the heat of her body beneath mine and the undeniable truth that, no matter what happened next, she was mine.

​I kissed the side of her neck, my teeth grazing the spot where my mark should be. "You aren’t going anywhere," I whispered into her skin. "I’m never letting you run again."

​I rolled onto my back, pulling her slick, warm body onto my chest and wrapping my arms around her. I began to stroke her back in long, slow circles, my fingers tracing the dip of her spine. We stayed like that for a long time, the only sound being our hearts gradually slowing down together.

​The silence was heavy. I could practically feel the gears turning in her head, the weight of the prophecy and the secrets pressing back in now that the heat had faded.

​"A penny for your thoughts," I murmured, my voice still gravelly.

​Scarlett scoffed, a tiny, breathless sound. She tilted her head back to look up at me. I braced myself for the worry and the deep concern in her eyes, but I searched for something else. I looked for shame. I looked for the wish that this hadn’t happened. To my relief, there was no regret. She wanted this as much as I did, and that was the only thing keeping my wolf from losing his mind.

​"What is love?" I asked suddenly.

​She blinked at me, her brow furrowing. "Leo, you know what it is."

​"I don’t know," I said, playing dumb just to see her reaction. "Tell me."

​She huffed and hit my arm—a weak, playful strike. I chuckled, the vibration rumbling through my chest, and leaned down to press a soft kiss to her swollen lips.

​"Leo... I’m serious," she said, her voice turning small and fragile. "This is serious. We can’t see each other again. We can’t keep doing this behind your brothers’ backs."

​She sat up slightly, the sheets pooling around her waist, her eyes wide with a fresh wave of panic. "If Leonard or Liam find out you’re here with me while they’re grieving and miserable... it won’t just be an argument, Leo. It’ll be war."

​I reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I’m not afraid of them. I found you once; I’ll find a way to keep you. I don’t care if I have to fight the whole world to do it."

​"But you don’t understand," she whispered, her lip trembling. "I’m not just running from you. I’m running to save you from yourselves."

​I looked at her, my mind working through the mess of the prophecy and the fear in her eyes. I needed a way out of this situation.

​"Okay, let’s do it this way," I said, already plotting in my head. I pulled her closer, forcing her to look at me. "If my brothers have children and fall in love with their wives... will you be with me then? Will you stop running?"

​Scarlett’s eyes searched mine, her breath hitching. "Leo..."

​"Yes or no, Scarlett," I pressed. I needed the promise. I needed a goal to fight for.

​She swallowed hard, the silence stretching between us. She didn’t say no. That small hesitation was all the fuel my wolf needed.

​"Okay," I said, a dark determination settling in my chest. "I’ll make it happen. I’ll make my brothers fall for their wives and have children with them. I can do it."

​She looked at me like I’d lost my mind. "How? Leo, you can’t force love. Are you going to use a spell? You can’t—"

​"I’m not using a spell on them," I interrupted, shaking my head. "No magic can touch us like that anymore. We’re fortified. I don’t need a witch to do this. I’ll use my words. I’ll push them, manipulate the situation, and lead them exactly where they need to go."

​I cupped her face, my thumbs stroking her cheekbones.

​"So tell me, Scar," I whispered, my gaze intense. "Will you be with me? Once my brothers are happy with their families, once they have their own lives and children to protect... will you finally come home to me?"

​She stared at me, the conflict tearing through her. I could see her weighing the impossibility of it against the hope of us actually being together.

​"If they are truly happy..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. "If they have children and they don’t want to kill each other over me anymore... then yes, Leo. I’ll be with you."

​I felt a surge of triumph so strong I almost shifted. It was a deal. A dangerous, impossible deal, but it was the only way forward. I leaned in and kissed her, sealing the promise.