Six
ว
Elira’s POV
Monica screamed as we fell, and icy water swallowed us whole. I couldn’t swim. I panicked, flailing, gasping, trying to breathe through the water choking me.
We screamed for help. Monica thrashed beside me, glaring like this was somehow my fault. I caught sight of my parents–Lucas beside them–rushing to the deck.§
People crowded around. I tried swimming up, but something dragged me under. My lungs burned. “Help…me…” I choked out, trembling. A sharp pain ripped through me–I wasn’t healed yet.§
I heard two splashes. Then my mother’s voice pierced the chaos.\
“Save my daughter! Monica! Oh, goddess, my Monica!”
Not me–Monica.§
I kept struggling until darkness started to take me. My last thought was, someone, anyone, save me…
I woke up in a hospital room, disoriented, weak. I thought I was dead.”
The room was quiet. Empty. I tried to sit up, pulled out the IV, ignoring the sting as blood welled up. My body ached. My throat was dry. I stumbled toward the water… then stopped.
Across the hall–Monica’s room. She was surrounded by my parents, pack members, even flowers. Mom cried, telling her how thankful she was she survived.
And me?>
Their other daughter. Forgotten.
I didn’t feel anything anymore. Not pain. Not sadness. Just… nothing.”
I sat at the edge of the bed, water in hand, not even caring about the blood trickling from my wrist. My wolf? Silent. I couldn’t feel her at all. Too weak–because of me.}
That abortion weakened us both.
The door swung open. The doctor came in, frowning as she reattached the IV. “You shouldn’t have removed this. You’re still not stable.“}
“You’re weak,” she added. “The abortion damaged your body. It’s going to take time. No heavy lifting, no stress–or it could kill you.“}
I just nodded. Whatever.
She handed me a prescription to help my wolf recover, then left.
Lucas entered.§
And suddenly, the room felt colder.
Had he heard everything?
He sat at the edge of the bed, silent. Watching me.
“Did you…” I started, but he cut me off.
“I saved Monica. She’s my wife.” His voice carried guilt.
I let out a breath. Good. He didn’t hear the truth.§
“No worries,” I said with a small smile. “I get it. Brother–in–law.
His eyes widened. “You’ve never called me that before.“}
I looked out the window. My voice came out calm. “I’ve accepted it now. No one loves me. That’s just how it is.”}
“Elira… you’re grieving my brother’s death. I know it’s hard. He loved you,” he said, trying to sound comforting.
Loved me??
What a sick joke.}
I laughed–bitter and sharp. It hurt my stomach, made my eyes sting.
“Loved me?” I repeated, turning to face him. My voice flat. “How would you know? He’s dead.”
Lucas flinched, guilt flashing in his eyes.
He stood suddenly–no words. Just shame.}
Go on. Lie. Pretend.
Because the day you faked your death, Lucas… I knew the truth.
You’re a liar. A user. And once, I was the fool who loved you.”
He walked out. “Get well. I need to see my wife,” he muttered, and left.
<-0
Days passed. I followed the doctor’s orders. Rested. Healed.§
Elder Thomas visited me–not my family. Figures.
They probably hoped I’d die.
Too bad. I lived.
n|:འཀཀཀཀi
inting hrch 20
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7:37 PM
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They probably hoped I’d die.”
Too bad. I lived.
Disappointing, huh?!
Elder Thomas brought me fruits, checked on me daily. I heard Monica got discharged two days before me. Typical.”
G
On my discharge day, Elder Thomas picked me up. I thought I’d rest once we got home. But he invited me to dinner–and guess who was there??
Lucas. Monica. The Blackthorn relatives.
“Luna Elira,” Elder Thomas said gently, “tomorrow is the Moon Goddess Festival. I’d like you to visit Alpha Lucas‘ grave… one last time.“}
I nodded.
After dinner, Elder Thomas walked me to my room and gave me a warm hug. One of the few moments of kindness I’d felt in weeks.
-0
Morning came. The pack celebrated. I dressed quietly and headed to the burial site with Elder Thomas. Monica came with Lucas and the others.
I held a bouquet in my hands and placed it on Lucas‘ gravestone.”
Before, I used to cry my heart out at his grave.
Now? Nothing.}
Lucas stared at me from a distance before his father pulled him aside, probably to talk pack business.}
Then Monica appeared beside me.
“You’re lucky you’re still alive, sis,” she said, her voice sugary sweet and venomous all at once. “No one even tried to save you. They didn’t care. And yet… here you are.“>
I stayed quiet.”
“But you know,” she continued, smug, “I thought Lucas loved you… until I found this.“}
She held up a folded letter. “A love letter. From Lucas. To me. Turns out he’s been secretly in love with me for years.“}
I clenched my jaw.
“How unlucky for you,” she went on. “No one’s ever truly loved you. Not our family. Not even Lucas. He only married you to make me happy–so I could be with his brother. Everything he did was for my happiness. Isn’t that cruel, Sis?“}
She smiled like she’d won something.”
