The Second Letter
The Second Letter
Scarlett’s POV:
+25 BONUS
Dawn was just breaking when Lucian stumbled to the front door. His hair was disheveled, dark circles under his eyes showing he hadn’t slept again. Through our spirit bond, I could feel his desperate hope as he opened the mailbox.
There it was – the second letter, just as I knew it would be. Sarah had followed my instructions perfectly.
His hands trembled as he tore open the envelope. I moved closer, wanting to watch his face as he read my words.
“My dearest Lucian,”
“Do you
remember that rainy day when I was fourteen? The day they told me my father, Beta Alexander, had died defending the pack? I thought my world had ended.”
“But you were there. You held me while I cried, promising you’d take care of me in my father’s place.” Beta Alexander was a hero,” you said. “He died protecting what he loved most – the pack and you.
Through our bond, I felt the memory hit him like a physical blow. His legs gave out, and he sank into his office chair.
“I believed you that day, just like I believed every promise you ever made me. When you said you’d protect me. When you swore you’d love only me.”
“But there’s something I need to confess. Something I’ve carried alone for far too long.”
“I’m sorry, Lucian. So very sorry that I couldn’t give you children. That after five years of marriage, your Luna has failed in this most basic duty.”
His breath caught sharply. I watched as his fingers tightened on the paper, knuckles turning white.
“I’ve tried everything. Every treatment, every remedy, no matter how bitter the medicine or painful the procedure. I wanted so desperately to give you a family.”
“But my body is broken. Do you remember those weeks in the Shadow Pack’s dungeons? When they had you in that silver–induced coma, and the guards came night after night?”
Lucian’s face paled as he read. He’d never known this part – I’d made sure to hide it from him all these years.
“They tried to continue abusing you even after you were unconscious. But how could I watch them hurt you, when you were so vulnerable and unconscious, so I had to take it for you. I endured their abusive beatings, and when you woke up, the damage was already done.”
“Dr. Kane confirmed it last year. The internal injuries were too severe, too old to heal. My chances of conceiving are almost none.
A tear fell onto the paper, smudging the ink. I wasn’t sure if it was from the memory of writing these words or from watching him read them now.
“That’s why I understand about Lily. About the babies she carries. How can I blame you for seeking what
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The Second Letter
I could never give?”
“No,” Lucian whispered, his voice breaking. “Scarlett, ho…”
“I’ve known about you and her for a while now. I’ve seen the way you look at her, heard your excuses for being late. I’ve smelled her perfume on your clothes and seen her lipstick on your collar.”
“It hurt. Gods, how it hurt. But I want you to be happy, Lucian. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
His hands were shaking so badly now he could barely hold the paper. Through our bond, I felt his guilt and horror building with each word.
“If Lily can give you the family I couldn’t, then I give you my blessing. My love for you is greater than my pain. Your happiness means more to me than my own.”
“It would be nice if she gave you one of your children for me.Lucian, I love the way you smile when you look at the pack cubs, just like you smile at me.”
“Just know that everything I did, every sacrifice I made, was because I loved you. Even now, facing the end, my only regret is that I couldn’t be the Luna you deserved.”
I love you, Lucian, and I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you at the end.
“Forever yours,
Scarlett”
The letter fell from his trembling fingers. Through our bond, I felt his emotions spiral out of control – guilt, horror, grief, and something deeper, something like dawning realization.
“How did you know?” he whispered to the empty room. “How long were you suffering alone?”
He picked up the letter again, reading it more carefully this time. His fingers traced over the words about the Shadow Pack guards, and I felt his rage building.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice cracked. “I would have killed them all. Every single one who touched you.
Η
But we both knew why I hadn’t told him. He’d been so broken after his imprisonment, so lost, Learning what I’d endured to protect him would have destroyed him.
Suddenly, he shot up and ran to his phone. “Dr. Kane! I need to see you immediately. It’s about Scarlett.” Twenty minutes later, he burst into the doctor’s office “The guards at the Shadow Pack,” he demanded without preamble. “What exactly did they do to her?”
Dr. Kane’s face grew grave. “Alpha, that’s confidential ”
“She’s my mate!” Lucian slammed his hands on the desk. “And she’s…” his voice broke. “She’s gone. I need to know what she suffered, What she hid from me.”
The doctor was silent for a long time before pulling out my medical records.” She suffered severe abuse. He whispered.” It’s all internal injuries that are hard to see. Strangely enough, almost all of them are aimed at the abdominal area.The chances of her carrying a child to term were less than 1%.”
The Second Letter
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“But she kept trying,” Lucian whispered.
“She did.” Dr. Kane’s voice was gentle. “She tried everything – experimental treatments, ancient remedies, even dark magic. The side effects were often excruciating, but she never gave up hope.”
“Because she thought I needed an heir.” Lucian’s voice was hollow. “Because she thought she wasn’t enough.”
“She loved you very much, Alpha.” Dr. Kane closed the file. “Everything she did, every treatment she endured, was to try to give you what she thought you wanted most.”
Through our bond, I felt Lucian’s heart shatter all over again. He stumbled out of the hospital, barely making it to his car before breaking down completely.
“I didn’t want heirs,” he sobbed. “I just wanted you. You were always enough, my love. More than enough.”
Suddenly he seemed to think of something, “But how did you know Lily was pregnant? Scarlett. “he muttered.
I can’t help but smile, dear Lucian, you’re finally getting to the point.
