Scarlett’s POV:
At 9:30 PM, the den door finally opened. Lucian walked in, reeking of Lily’s rose perfume, his collar stained with her signature red lipstick.
“I’m so sorry about dinner,” guilt laced his voice even as Lily’s scent clung to his skin. “The pack matter-”
“Took longer than expected?” My smile felt like broken glass. “It’s fine. Sit. Eat. The food’s cold, but then again, so is everything else these days.”
He sat awkwardly, guilt radiating from him as he picked at the cold food. I watched him, memorizing every feature of the man I’d loved for eighteen years.
“The venison…” he tried weakly. “It’s perfect. Just like always.”
I pushed my plate away, unable to stomach another bite of our lies. “You look tired, my Alpha. You should rest.”
Relief flooded his face at the escape offer. “Are you sure? We could still-”
“Another time.” My voice was soft, final. “Go sleep.”
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. As he stood, he came around the table and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise. We’ll celebrate properly this weekend.”
I forced myself to smile, knowing there might not be many weekends left for us. “Of course. Goodnight, my love.”
I watched him disappear up the stairs before letting my smile fall. Right now, there was something more important I needed to do.
In the quiet of Lucian’s study, I sat at his massive oak desk, pulling out a sheet of cream-colored stationery. The desk lamp cast a warm glow over the paper as I picked up my pen.
“My beloved Lucian,”
“On our wedding anniversary, I discovered that my heart is failing. The curse I took to save you has finally won. Dr. Kane says I have three months at most.”
My hand trembled slightly as I began to write down the first letter.A tear crossed my cheek, staining the ink.
The morning sun hadn’t yet risen when I started ironing Lucian’s suit. My hands moved carefully over the fabric, smoothing each wrinkle with practiced care. The black veins beneath my skin pulsed with every movement, but I ignored the pain.
“Scarlett?” Lucian’s voice startled me. He stood in the doorway, hair tousled from sleep. “Why are you up so early?”
“Your council meeting is at nine.” I focused on the suit sleeve, pressing it perfectly straight. “I wanted to make sure everything was ready.”
He walked over, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. His touch still made my heart race, even as it was dying. “Mary can do this now. You don’t have to-”
“I want to.” I turned in his arms, meeting his eyes. “I iron your clothes by hand, just as I’ve always held you. Remember when you had one suit for all pack meetings? I ironed it every night so you’d look perfect the next day.”
His expression softened at the memory. “Back when we barely had anything.”
“But we had each other.” I smoothed my hands over his chest, just as I’d done with the suit. “That was enough.”
He pulled me closer, nuzzling my neck. “You’ve always taken such good care of me.”
“And I always will.” ‘For the next three months, at least.’
He kissed my lips, his hands caressing my waist, back, and hips. On so many previous mornings, we had embraced sweetly like this, until he almost ended up being late. But today, after I discovered his affair with Lili, I didn’t know why he was still being so intimate with me. My heart suddenly ached. I gently pushed him away, “Okay, any more kissing and you’ll be late.”
“My perfect Luna.” He released me and kissed my forehead. “But really, let Mary handle these things. I’m not that struggling wolf anymore. I’m the Alpha now.”
Something in his tone made my chest tighten, but I smiled. “At least let me make your lunch? I’m trying a new moonberry sauce recipe.”
His eyes lit up. “You spoil me.”
In the kitchen, I carefully packed his favorite blood-rare venison sandwiches. Each ingredient was chosen with care, each detail perfect. Just like the mask I now wore around him.
“This smells amazing.” Lucian appeared in his freshly pressed suit, looking every inch the powerful Alpha. “The other wolves will be jealous.”
