Chapter 7

"What can I say?" Lydia stood, looming over me. "An orphan living on charity never stood a chance against a destined mate."

"But I couldn't stand it. Why should a pathetic weakling like you get everything?"

"All of this should belong to a strong warrior like me!"

"You know, I know exactly why your body is so weak."

She looked at me, her eyes glinting with a vicious light.

"Since you were twelve, I've been putting wolfsbane in your food. Little by little, slowly eroding your wolf spirit."

"The silver powder in your uniform, the push off the cliff, the poisoned herbs... It was all my work. My masterpiece."

I trembled with rage, wishing I could raise my hand and slap her, but the moment I lifted my arm, she shoved me back to the floor.

Of course. How could this dying body of mine possibly compete with an elite warrior?

She slowly crouched down. "What? Are you angry? Do you feel cheated?"

"Too bad. You're too much of a weakling to do anything about it!"

"You don't even have the strength to kill me!"

She landed a few more kicks for good measure, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as I curled into a ball on the floor, groaning.

"All these years, watching you grow weaker day by day, it has brought me so much joy."

"Well, once you're dead, I'll be the one and only Luna of the Black Moon Pack."

The pain almost made me pass out.

Lydia left the room, her mood cheerful.

She was completely unaware that my phone, which I had placed on the nightstand, was recording.

The small red light blinked silently, capturing every single word of her confession.

I painfully dragged myself up from the floor, my clothes soaked with a cold sweat from the pain.

I looked at the recording on my phone, and a real smile, the first in years, played on my lips.

Finally, I could make everyone see Lydia for who she truly was.

On the last day of my life.

It was time for the truth to come to light.

Looking at the finished recording, I sent it to Caleb and my parents with a single tap.

At the same time, I sent a backup to all the pack elders.

The audio file clearly captured every one of Lydia's words:

"The silver powder in your uniform, a push off the cliff, the poisoned herbs... It was all my work. My masterpiece."

"Once you're dead, I'll be the one and only Luna of the Black Moon Pack."

Then I removed the SIM card from my phone and severed my mind-link.

In the last twenty hours before my life faded away, I had finally done something that mattered.

Now, I just wanted to walk the final path in peace.

The sky had completely darkened, and the motel's neon sign cast a harsh glare.

I dragged my weak body out of the room and walked towards Rosa's Diner.

It was the only place in the world that would still accept me.

Through the window, I saw Rosa cleaning a table, her movements gentle and focused.

"Mrs. Rosa," I said, gently pushing the door open.

She looked up and saw me, her face immediately clouding with concern. "Elena? What's wrong, child? You look so pale."

"Can... can I stay here for a little while?"

"Of course, sit down and rest." Rosa immediately dropped her cloth. "You look so weak. I'll go make you some soup."

She didn't ask any more questions, just quietly prepared food for me.

This unconditional kindness made my eyes well up again.

Rosa brought me a bowl of hot soup filled with fresh vegetables and healing herbs.

"Drink this. It will make you feel a little better."

I took small sips, the warm liquid bringing a little heat back to my cold body.

"Child, why aren't you at home?" Rosa asked softly.

"I don't have a home anymore," I answered, my voice quiet. "They threw me out."

A flicker of pain crossed Rosa's eyes. "I used to have a daughter, about your age."

"She died in an accident."

"If she were still alive, she would be as beautiful as you."

She reached out and gently stroked my hair, like a mother comforting her child.

"Elena, would you let me take care of you? Just for a little while. Let an old woman pretend she still has her daughter."

Tears I had held back for years finally broke free, streaming down my face.

For the first time in years, I felt a mother's love.

It wasn't because I was special or useful. It was just... love. Pure and unconditional.

"Come, let's go rest in the back room," Rosa said, helping me to my feet.

Her small apartment was simple but incredibly warm.

A picture of her daughter, a girl with a radiant smile, hung on the wall.

Rosa helped me change into a clean dress and then gently brushed my hair.

"Your hair is so beautiful, just like moonlight," she said softly.

I leaned against her shoulder, feeling a sense of security I had never known.

Even the pain in my body seemed to lessen.

"Aunt Rosa, thank you."

"Don't be silly, child," her voice choked with emotion. "It is you who has reminded me what it feels like to be a mother."

I closed my eyes, my consciousness beginning to fade.

The flame of my life was dimming, but my heart was more at peace than ever before.

At least in my final moments, I knew I was loved.

I heard Rosa whisper, "Thank you, my dear, for bringing my little girl back to me, even for just a moment..."

I wanted to answer her, but I no longer had the strength to speak.

I just felt my body growing lighter and lighter.

My wolf spirit was fading, my spirit preparing to leave this broken vessel.