Elira's POV

Elder Thomas made me sit down, and a servant came in with a cup of tea. He took the seat across from me and spoke gently, “I know it’s not easy losing a husband, Luna Elira. I understand what you're going through. I saw how much you two loved each other, and it hurt me too—maybe not like it hurt you, but still.”

My wolf stirred, desperate to spill the truth—that Lucas was alive, hiding behind Thorne’s identity. But for what? Why fake his death? He never loved me. Not once in five years. Everything he did… it was just duty. A sacrifice to keep the pack’s pride intact. Nothing more.

I was such a fool. I believed the lies. I thought his affection was real. Thought his heart was mine. Turns out, it always belonged to Monica.

Tears welled in my eyes, my breathing shaky.

“I’ll give you an estate to live in,” Elder Thomas offered kindly.

But I didn’t want it. I didn’t want anything. I just needed to leave and live a life far away from them.

“Thank you, Elder Thomas, but I don’t need it,” I whispered, voice cracking. “I just came to tell you I’m leaving. You’re the only one who’s ever made me feel seen—like I was worthy of love.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

“You’re like a daughter to me, Luna Elira,” he said with emotion in his voice. “But please, don’t leave with nothing. You were my son’s wife, the Luna of our pack.”

He stood and opened a drawer behind his desk, pulling out a small passbook. He handed it to me. “Take this. It’s enough money to live on for now. And please, reconsider the estate.”

“Thank you so much, Elder Thomas,” I said through tears. “You’re like a father to me.”

He held my hand tightly. “I know things weren’t easy. Your own mate humiliated you on your wedding day. If Lucas hadn’t stepped in back then, I don’t know what would’ve happened. But now that he’s gone… I just want you to find happiness again. Remarry. Start a family.”

I smiled faintly. “I don’t think I could marry anyone else, Elder Thomas. I’ll live the rest of my life as a widow.”

He gently tapped my hand. “If that’s your choice, I’ll respect it. Just remember, you’ll always be welcome here. Always.”

I didn’t know where to go yet, but staying here—even in that estate—wasn’t an option. Not when I’d see Lucas with my sister.

Then my eyes landed on a real estate magazine. Without thinking much, I went straight to a broker.

“Luna, here are some available lands,” the broker said, handing me a brochure. “Pick whichever you like.”

I scanned through the options and found it—a piece of land far from the werewolf city. East, remote, quiet. A place no one could find me. A place where I could finally be free from Lucas… from everyone who never cared.

I paid half up front and agreed to pay the rest once the land was officially transferred to my name. Then I returned to the pack house, feeling the pity in everyone’s eyes.

My wolf was still weak from the abortion… and from the blood loss after saving Monica.

I couldn’t help but remember the day I was sixteen, attacked by a rogue, bleeding out—until Thorne saved me. That’s when I knew he was my mate. But the moment he laid eyes on Monica, I vanished from his world. No matter how hard I tried to bond with him, to be enough, he never saw me.

Not once.

I wiped my tears as I looked around the room that held five years of memories with Lucas. Memories I once treasured. The photos, the little gifts, the scrapbook full of love notes, the painting I made for him… everything.

But now, all I felt was anger and disgust.

I stared at our bed.

Did he ever think it was me in his arms—or was it always Monica?

Pathetic. Pathetic love. Pathetic me.

I grabbed everything—every piece of our so-called love—and shoved it in a box. I carried it outside to the garbage, ready to burn it all.

But then a familiar hand stopped me.

“What are you doing?” said a voice behind me. “Is that the stuff from my brother? The gifts? His memories?”

It was Lucas.

Pretending to be Thorne.

I would’ve believed it was really Thorne if I hadn’t heard that conversation. He looked just like him—the hair, the eyes, even the way he dressed. Everything was identical.

I yanked my hand away, but he gripped it tightly. I stared at him calmly, coldly. “He’s gone. Why would I keep this? I’m leaving.”

His eyes widened. “You’re what?”

“Let me go,” I said firmly.

His expression twisted. “Did my father tell you to leave?”

I tried pulling my hand again, but he held tighter, jaw clenched. “Answer me—did my father ask you to go?”

“You’re hurting me, Thorne!” I snapped.

He immediately let go, staring at the red mark on my wrist.

“You’re not leaving, Luna Elira,” he growled. “You’re still the Luna, even if Lucas is dead. I have no plans to take the Alpha position.”

I clutched my wrist, shocked. He should be glad I was leaving. He could finally be with Monica without hiding. What did he care?

“So… you don’t want me to leave?” I asked, looking straight into his eyes.

He didn’t answer. Just stared at me with an emotion I couldn’t read.

I looked away, my tears falling again.

“Luna Elira—” he started, but his voice was cut off by someone behind us.

Monica.

Elira's POV

“Honey, why are you taking so long? You said you wouldn’t be gone that long,” Monica said, flashing me one of her fake smiles.

“Sis, how are you?” she asked, pulling me into a brief hug. “I know it’s not easy to lose Alpha Lucas.”

Then she pulled back and looped her arm around him.

She gave me that fake, syrupy look of concern. I smiled back, cold as ice. “I’m fine. Why should I grieve? People leave. Nothing to cry about,” I said flatly, catching the way Lucas’s jaw clenched. His eyes burned holes into me, like he didn’t expect that answer.

Monica’s gaze dropped to the boxes. “You’re burning them?” lo

“Yeah. Why should I keep anything?” I shrugged.

“Aww, that’s sad,” she pouted, then turned to Lucas. “Honey, we need to go. I have a follow-up at the hospital.”

Lucas didn’t move. He stared at the box. “Don’t burn that. I’ll keep it—for my brother,” he said.

I was about to argue, but he didn’t give me the chance. He ordered one of the guards to take it away. My jaw clenched. What the hell was he doing? Why not just let me go? Why keep torturing me like this?

“Let’s go,” he said, and the two of them walked off like the perfect little couple.

And that’s when it hit me—no matter what I did, I’d never be Monica. Never be the one they chose. I’d never be enough.

A single tear slid down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly.

I kept my head down, ignoring the stares from the pack as I waited for the documents for the island to be finalized. I just needed to leave. Elder Thomas promised to keep quiet about it, that he’d manage things until Thorne decided to take the Alpha title.

Later that day, I returned to the packhouse after handling finances and a council meeting. Monica approached me, beaming, and grabbed my hand.

“Sis! It’s been forever since we went out together. Thorne’s racing tomorrow. Come with me. Don’t just stay holed up here, mourning Lucas,” she said sweetly.

Lucas… racing? That was new. He never did stuff like that. That was Thorne’s thing—speed, risk, freedom. Not Lucas. But something inside me wanted to see what he was up to.

I didn’t want to go, but Monica pushed so hard that I finally gave in.

The next morning, we were at the race track. Monica ditched me to find Lucas, and I wandered around until I spotted his cousin Drake talking to him.

“Seriously? You’ll get yourself killed!” Drake snapped, shaking his head. “I don’t get why you’re doing all this just to stay close to Monica.”

Lucas’s voice was calm, too calm. “It’s the only way. I don’t even know how to drive this car. Tampering with the brakes is all I could do.”

My blood froze.

“You’re insane,” Drake muttered. “Look, I get it. You love Monica. But she’s your brother’s wife. And Elira—your own wife—was wrecked when you died. You really felt nothing seeing her break down like that? She loved you, man. She loved you so damn much.”

Lucas didn’t say a word.

Drake ran a hand through his hair. “Let her go, bro. Let Monica go. Stop this mess.”

I stood there, hidden, silent, breath caught in my throat.

Then I heard Lucas speak.

“I’ll go back to Elira. But after two years with Monica... I’ll fix things.”

Go back?

I scoffed quietly and turned away.

Back to who?

The girl you left broken?

The one who died inside the moment she realized you faked your own death?

There’s no Elira waiting for you.

You can rot in your perfect fantasy with Monica.

You think I was the reason for your misery for five years?

You’re worse than Thorne.

I found a seat as the race began. The crowd roared, wild cheers erupting when Thorne’s name was announced.

Monica returned, sitting beside me. “Don’t look so gloomy, sis. You should get out more.”

I didn’t answer.

“You know, fate’s just cruel like that. Your husband died, mine survived the rogue attack. You’re just unlucky, but hey—some people are born like that. I guess I’m just lucky,” she said with a smug little smile.

I clenched my jaw, hiding the storm brewing inside me. I was about to snap when a loud crash made everyone go still.

“Honey!” Monica screamed in panic.

Elira's POV

Lucas’s car crashed into the guardrail. He swerved too hard, and people started panicking. Monica ran toward the wreck just as the ambulance arrived. They pulled his unconscious, bleeding body out of the car before it burst into flames.

She climbed in with him, crying hysterically.

I stayed where I was, calm. Watching.

How far could someone go for love?

I used to be like that. Pathetic. Chasing someone just to be loved back. Doing everything just to feel seen. But no matter what I did, I was never enough.

Lucas almost died for Monica. That’s love, huh?

It made me feel even more pathetic—because I knew no one would ever do that for me. No matter how much I gave.

Five days passed. I buried myself in the pack's duty, not even bothering to check on Lucas. I didn’t care how he was doing or if he even alive.

Then my phone rang. It was the hospital.

“Miss Blackthorn, maybe you forgot about the item in the freezer. Today’s the last day we’re holding it. Just let us know if you’re picking it up or not.”

I had forgotten. “I’ll be there today.”

I hung up, sitting on a bench and staring out into the distance. That ache in my chest wouldn’t go away. My wolf felt it too.

I touched my stomach.

“This is the right thing,” I whispered.

When I got to the hospital, I walked fast. I was about to turn toward the morgue when I passed by a room and froze.

It was Lucas’s room.

The door was slightly open. I heard Monica crying.

“Alpha Thorne won’t be able to race again,” the doctor said. “He tore his anterior cruciate ligament.”

Monica sobbed. “I’m sorry, honey… You love racing so much…”

The doctor left, and then I saw it. The smile on Lucas’s face. That look in his eyes—the kind of look he never gave me. The softness, the warmth… all for her.

He never looked at me like that. Not even once.

“It’s okay, honey. Don’t blame yourself. Stop crying… It hurts me seeing you like this,” he said, full of affection.

Monica blushed. “That’s why I love you so much.”

“And I love you,” Lucas said. “I’d rather lose racing than lose you.”

I felt like throwing up. My heart shattered all over again. My wolf howled inside me.

My hands shook as I turned around, forcing myself to walk toward the morgue.

Then I heard her voice.

“Elira!”

I turned. Monica was walking toward me, all smiles.

“Sis, you’re here! Why didn’t you drop by to visit Thorne?”

“I didn’t know you were here,” I lied.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here anyway. Just wanted to tell you—our sixth wedding anniversary’s in two weeks. I really hope you’ll come. I don’t want you to feel lonely.”

Her voice was sweet, but her smile felt like poison.

The same day I planned to leave the pack for good.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t forget your anniversary,” I said flatly.

She tilted her head, pretending to be concerned. “You sure? Maybe you’ve forgotten after losing your husband.”

My wolf growled inside me.

“I’ll be expecting you,” she added.

“I have important things to do,” I said, brushing past her. Truth was—I couldn’t stand being around her anymore. Or any of them.

After settling the hospital matter, I went back to the pack. My phone pinged while I was getting back to my duties.

It was a message from my father.

[How long are you going to ignore us? You’re being stubborn and ungrateful! Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want! You never think of your parents—that’s why Lucas died! Monica is better than you. Be on my birthday, I'll expecting you.]

I replied: [Okay.]

It’s been five years since I last went to the Nightshade pack. They didn’t even attend my wedding. But when it was Monica’s wedding? They were all there, all smiles. She got their blessings. I got silence.

Even here in the pack, I never felt like I belonged. My parents always doted on my younger sister. I spent years trying to earn just a sliver of their attention. But I could never compete. Monica always outshined me.

Bitterness clung to the back of my throat.

Even Thorne… he was my destined mate, but all his affection? It was for her.

I used to think Lucas loved me. That maybe, just maybe, he chose me. But no—he loved Monica too.

I laughed bitterly, a hollow sound in the silence.

Everyone I ever loved… loved her more.

And now?

This will be the last time I ever see my parents again.