Never again
Scarlett’s POV:
What are you doing?
Lucian stared at the scene before him, his face draining of color. The entire pack knelt before me, acknowledging their new Alpha.
“What are you doing?” His voice cracked as he rushed forward. “Lottie, what is this?”
I felt Zoe stir with amusement in my mind as Lucian stumbled to a halt before me.
“Isn’t it obvious? Lucian,” I looked at him with a smile “we’re re–electing the alpha of the pack yet.
“Haven’t I paid enough?” His voice was desperate. “I gave up everything for you – my power, my position…I have given all my strength to find you and revive you, Scarlett. Look at me.
The sheer audacity of his words made me want to laugh. He still thought this was about him, about his
sacrifices.
“Paid enough?” I tilted my head, studying him coldly Tell me, Lucian, what exactly did you do to save my life when it actually mattered?”
He flinched at my tone, confusion clouding his features.
“Think carefully,” I continued. “If I hadn’t saved you from the Shadow Pack that day, I would never have been cursed in the first place. If I hadn’t loved you so blindly, I would never have died.”
My words hit him like physical blows. He collapsed to his knees before me, tears streaming down his
face.
“I know,” he choked out. “I know nothing can atone for what I did. But you’re the only one I’ve ever truly loved.”
His trembling hands pulled out a crumpled piece of paper – one of my letters. The sight of it made rage surge through my veins.
“Look,” he held it up like an offering, “Remember how much you loved me? How you wrote that you’d love me even in death?”
I snatched the letter from his grasp. The paper made a satisfying sound as I tore it into pieces, letting them rain down on his upturned face.
“Oh, I remember everything,” I said, watching the pieces flutter around him. “Should we go through it together?”
His eyes widened with fear, but I was just getting started.
“Remember when I wrote the first letter?” I asked pleasantly. “It was right after being diagnosed with heart failure. Only three months to live, the doctor said.”
Recognition dawned in his eyes, quickly followed by horror.
“It was also our fifth wedding anniversary, and while held back my grief and cooked a whole table for
+25 BONUS
Never again
you, you said something was wrong and you weren’t coming back.”
“Where were you then?” I continued. “Oh right in your car with Lily, couldn’t even wait to get to a bed, could you?”
“Please,” he whispered. “I was wrong-
“Then there was the second letter,” I talked over him I passed out in front of your office the other day, didn’t I? Because I heard Jack and that bitch Lily, in your office, and they were taunting me – your former Luna – with impunity. And you didn’t even stop it.” I grinned maliciously, “You didn’t even suspect anything when I said I didn’t hear it then did you?” Lucien gave a scared look.
I continued, “Do you know when that letter was written? After I watched you hurry out of the ward, I followed you, I saw it all. You and Lily slipped into the woods behind the hospital. You couldn’t wait to fuck her, didn’t you?”
He struck his own face, leaving bloody marks on his cheeks.
“And let’s not forget the third letter,” my voice grew colder. “Written right after a heart attack. Right before you took my healing ring – the only thing keeping me alive – and gave it to your pregnant whore.
Through our weakened bond, I felt his despair deepen with each word.
“I’m sorry,” he sobbed. “I’m so sorry. Please, tell me how to fix this. I’ll do anything-”
‘He still doesn’t understand,‘ Zoe whispered in my mind. ‘Show him how meaningless his promises are
now.‘
“You’ll give me everything?” I laughed mockingly. “The pack? The territory? How generous of you to offer what I’ve already won.”
His head snapped up at that. “No, listen. Running a pack isn’t like arranging flowers or cooking meals. It needs real leadership, experience…”
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to dig his grave deeper.
“You can still be Luna,” he continued desperately. “My most honored Luna. We can start fresh, forget everything that happened-”
A bitter laugh burst from my throat, making him flinch.,
“Forget everything?” I repeated incredulously. “Forget how you betrayed me? Forget how you watched me die alone while you played happy family with Lily?
“No, that’s not what 1-”
“Or should I forget how you tortured her afterward?” asked sweetly. “Is that your idea of love now? Torturing anyone who hurts the person you claim to care about?”
His face crumpled at my words.
“Scarlett, do not be willful. This group needs a true leader,” he continued, “you do not know how to lead a pack”
Never again
+25 BONUS
I looked at him without interrupting him, allowing him to feel that he had the opportunity.
“I will not hold the previous election against you,” he seemed to think he was being quite magnanimous.
“I will continue to let you be my most esteemed Luna.
I couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out laughing
