Nine
Monica came and grabbed the test results from my hand before I could even react.”
“You…” She stared at me, like the truth had just hit her. “You’re not dead, Lucas?” she asked, disbelief in her voice.
“Then who’s…” Her words trailed off. “It’s Thorne…”
I didn’t say anything. My mind was a mess, my wolf was in turmoil, and all I could think was, Why?}
Then, the realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I stood up, feeling nauseous. Elira had given the fetus at the celebration because… she knew it was mine.”
Dread settled in my chest, and I stopped breathing for a moment. “Elira knows…”
“Elira knows it’s you, Lucas?” Monica stood beside me, her voice shaking. “That’s why… and that fetus. But, how could she kill her own pup? You see, she’s evil! I know my sister, she-“}
“Shut up!” I snapped, and it sent a chill through her. She looked terrified.}
She pouted, eyes watery. “I’m sorry, I should be mad at you for lying to me. But I can’t. I get it, Lucas. You did this because you love me!“}
I felt a pang of guilt for snapping at her, and I pulled her into my arms. “I’m sorry,” but even then, it didn’t feel like it mattered.}
“You know, you’re still my husband, even if it’s you, Lucas,” Monica said softly. “I know you didn’t want to hurt me. Thank you for doing this… for me.“}
I closed my eyes, trying to process everything I felt for her. I loved her, yes, but…
For the last few days, as Thorne, I couldn’t stop thinking about Elira. I know it wasn’t fair to hurt Elira for lying to her, but this is what I had to pay for… my son. I hurt her, and I wanted to apologize.
I had to find her. /
I called the investigator, desperate to know if he’d found her, but he had no answers. It was like Elira had disappeared without a trace. Panic set in, and a sharp pain gnawed at me–losing her terrified me more than anything.
Then my father told me to watch the news. I wasn’t interested; my mind was on Elira yet I needed to check on Monica, who had been feeling ill.
But then I saw in the screen–a video. Elira being pushed by Monica. It wasn’t Elira pushing Monica, like Monica had claimed. It was the other way around. The video had gone viral, and more footage from a bystander in the cemetery had shown Monica trying to slap Elira, but it looked like Elira was the one being attacked.
The comments were full of rage. The werewolf society was in an uproar, and Elira’s parents had given all her inheritance to Monica–the sister who didn’t deserve it.)
My father looked at me, shaking his head. “You love that woman? Now I see why I never liked her. It all makes sense.“}
Rage exploded in me. I stood up, furious, and stormed out, heading straight for the Nightshade Pack. Everything I thought I knew about Monica–it wasn’t true. She’d lied. She’d manipulated me into hating Elira. How could she do that?}
I arrived at the pack house and immediately called Monica. She came running, crying, trying to explain that the video was edited. She said it was Elira who had done it.”
I wanted to believe her, but I knew better. The media had verified the authenticity of the video.
“You really did this to your sister? You lied about her?” I snarled, gripping her arms. She cried harder, but I was so furious, I couldn’t listen anymore.”
Her parents showed up, siding with her, claiming it was all a lie. They said Monica wasn’t like that. My mind was clouded with confusion. I had spent so many years with Monica, believing she was the one, thinking Elira was the problem. But now, I realized the truth. Monica had poisoned me against Elira.”
And now, I was paying for it.”
Since Monica was my brother’s wife, I ordered the Nightshade Pack to take her to the dungeon. Her parents fought me, but as the Alpha of Nightshade, I had the final say. Monica begged, trying to twist my mind, but I didn’t listen.
She would pay for what she had done.
And I would find Elira.
3-
Elira’s POV
I stared out at the land. Not far from here was a small town, just ten minutes on foot. There was a house surrounded by trees. A fresh spring was nearby in the forest. It was a big area, and it felt like the perfect place to start over.
1 sighed with relief. I was free.
I had big plans here–a hotel, a place to build my future. The construction company I hired had already begun working on it.!!
This was my new beginning. I wouldn’t think about anyone or anything else except what I had always dreamed of.
I closed my eyes, smiling, for the first time, there’s nothing heavy inside me.
