The Second Chance He Doesn’t Deserve

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.