“Get it away!” Lily wailed. “That filthy thing just jumped out at me! I could have fallen!”
The puppy approached me hesitantly. Without thinking, I knelt down to greet it.
“Careful, love,” Lucian said, his hand squeezing my shoulder gently.
“It’s just a puppy,Oh Lily, I didn’t expect you, a female wolf, to be afraid of such a small dog.” I said, with a sarcastic tone, while scratching behind its ear. The little thing pressed into my touch, starved for affection.
Lily’s face twisted with disdain. “Well, I suppose it makes sense that you’d bond with a common dog. After all, you don’t have a wolf of your own to connect with.”
I felt Lucian tense beside me, but I placed a calming hand on his arm. “It’s alright,” I murmured.
“No, it’s not,” he growled. “Lily, apologize. Now.”
“I was just saying what everyone thinks,” Lily protested, hands protectively over her stomach. “A Luna without a wolf might as well keep dogs for company.”
The puppy whined softly, sensing the tension. I gathered it into my arms, taking comfort in its warmth.
“I’ll take care of this little one,” I said quietly. “Better a loyal dog than no companion at all.”
“Scarlett-” Lucian started, his voice pained.
“Please,” I interrupted gently. “Take Lily home. She needs rest in her condition.”
“But Luna,” Lily simpered. “You can’t possibly keep that stray. What will the pack think?”
“I don’t mind what they think,” I said, my smile never wavering. “Some of us don’t need to prove our worth through others’ opinions.”
Lucian’s eyes searched my face. Even now, after everything, he could still read the pain behind my calm exterior.
“Let me help you first,” he insisted. “Lily can wait a few minutes.”
“Alpha,” Lily’s voice turned pleading. “I’m feeling faint again. Please…”
I stepped back, maintaining my serene expression. “Go on, Lucian. I’ll be fine.”
“Scarlett,” he caught my free hand, his thumb brushing over my ring. “We need to talk later.”
“Of course,” I agreed softly. “When you have time.”
The curse pulsed beneath my skin, but I kept my smile in place as I watched him lead Lily away. Only when they disappeared around the corner did I let my shoulders sag.
“Luna Scarlett!” Dr. Kane’s voice made me turn. “Your medicine-”
“Thank you,” I said.
“However, I still suggest you do another check-up.” Dr. Kane said looking at my expression.
“I’ll come back tomorrow,” I said quickly. “Please, I just need to go home now.”
The puppy nuzzled my neck as I carried it to my car. Its presence was oddly comforting – a simple, uncomplicated love that asked nothing in return.
As I drove home, I couldn’t help but wonder about the cruelty of fate. Here I was, dying slowly from a curse I took to save Lucian, while he created new life with another woman.
The puppy settled in my lap, its warmth steady against my trembling hands.It looked at me with big wet eyes and trust in them.
“I’ll call you Bobby from now on.” I held both of its little paws.
He wagged his tail at me cheerfully, and it was obvious he liked the name too.
“At least you’re honest,” I whispered to it. “No pretending or hidden agendas.”
It didn’t understand my meaning, but it still licked my fingers and rubbed its little head in my palm.
The curse’s darkness pulsed beneath my skin, In my study, I pulled out fresh paper. Another letter needed to be written.
Bobby curled up at my feet as I began to write, its presence a silent comfort. Maybe this was what I needed – not a wolf’s power, but a dog’s simple, faithful love.
When I finished writing the letter, my phone alerted me that I had received a message. When I saw the content of the message, I felt my blood rushing to my head again.
