Final Farewell

Scarlett's POV:

The curse burned through my veins like liquid fire. Without the ring's protection, I could feel death creeping closer with each breath. My hands trembled as I stared at them, watching the black veins pulse beneath my skin.

I found a silver dagger in the cabinet.One quick slash and it would all be over. No more pain, no more betrayal, no more watching Lucian build a family with another woman.

I raised the silver dagger to my wrist, but suddenly Bobby leaped up, knocking it from my hand. The dagger clattered to the floor as he stood over it, barking frantically.

"Bobby, move," I whispered, but he planted himself firmly over the dagger, his eyes fixed on me.

He whined, pressing against my legs, and I collapsed to my knees beside him. His warm tongue licked away my tears as he guarded the dagger.

"Why are you stopping me?" I asked him through my sobs. "They get to be happy while I die alone?"

Bobby nudged my hand with his nose, his eyes full of unconditional love. Looking at his loyal face, something inside me shifted.

No. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of my quiet death. If I was going to die, I would make sure Lucian remembered me with every breath he took.

I wanted him to wake up each morning drowning in regret. I wanted his guilt to consume him until he couldn't look in the mirror without seeing my ghost.

With renewed purpose, I sat at my desk and pulled out fresh paper. This would be my final letter - the one that would haunt him forever. Bobby sat at my feet as I wrote, his steady presence giving me strength.

When I finished, I called Sarah. My best friend arrived within minutes, nearly breaking down my door in her rush to reach me.

"Scarlett!" She gasped when she saw me. "Gods, you look like death! What's happened to you?"

I handed her the box of letters with trembling hands. "I need you to do something for me."

"Anything," she said immediately, then opened the box. Her eyes widened as she read the first few lines of the top letter. "Scarlett... these are about Lucian and Lily?"

"You know?" My voice cracked.

Sarah's eyes filled with tears. "The whole pack knows. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't bear to break your heart."

"It doesn't matter now." I gripped her hands. "After I'm gone, I need you to send these to Lucian. One letter every other day, in order. Will you do that for me?"

"Gone?" She grabbed my shoulders. "What do you mean gone? Scarlett, you're my best friend. Talk to me!"

"I'm dying, Sarah," I finally admitted. "I have been for a while now."

"No," she shook her head desperately. "We'll get help. Dr. Kane-"

"There's no cure." I touched the black veins on my arm. "This is from a curse I took to save Lucian five years ago. The ring was keeping it at bay, but now..."

"The ring he gave to that witch?" Sarah's face contorted with fury. "I'll kill her myself-"

"No." I squeezed her hand. "Just promise me about the letters. He needs to understand what he's done. Promise me you'll send them."

She clutched the box to her chest, tears streaming down her face. "I promise. But Scarlett... I can't just let you die."

I hugged her tightly, memorizing the feeling of her friendship. "You've been the best friend anyone could ask for. Thank you for everything."

After she left, still protesting, I walked through the house that had been my home. Every photo, every memento, every trace of my life with Lucian went into the fireplace.

I watched our wedding portrait burn, remembering how happy I'd been that day. The Lucian in the photo smiled at me, his eyes full of promises he never meant to keep.

The curse surged again, making me stumble. Suddenly, the house felt wrong - tainted by lies and betrayal. The walls seemed to close in, suffocating me with memories of false happiness.

Through my blurring vision, I saw a figure in the distance. Young Lucian from six years ago, standing in the rain.

Memories attacked me, and I remembered the stormy day when we were imprisoned together in the cave, and I was just healing from a stab wound from a silver dagger. The rain was heavy and spread into the cave, and we were soaked to the bone and shivering. Lucien wrapped his coat around my shoulders and held me close in his arms, using his strength to help keep me warm.

"I'll always protect you," he'd promised, his young face so earnest. "No matter what happens, no matter who tries to hurt you, I'll be there."

"Even though I don't have a wolf?" I'd asked, voicing my deepest fear.

"You don't need a wolf," he'd said fiercely. "Your heart is stronger than any wolf's. And one day, when I'm Alpha, I'll make you my Luna. We'll show everyone that true strength comes from the heart, not from what we can shift into."

Then, he kissed me for the first time.

The apparition of young Lucian stared at me now, his eyes sad. "Don't forgive him," he whispered. "Don't let him forget what he's thrown away."

Bobby's whine pulled me back to reality. Yes - there was one more place I needed to be.

Each step was agony as Bobby and I made our way to the cave. Our cave. The place where Lucian had first promised to protect me, to love me, to make me his Luna.

The old stone walls welcomed me like an old friend. I sank to the ground, my strength finally giving out.

Bobby curled against me, his warmth offering comfort as darkness crept into my vision. The curse's poison had reached my heart.

"I'm sorry, little one," I whispered to Bobby. "I'm leaving, you'll find a new owner."

The curse gave one final surge, and everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I was standing over my own body—in the state of the soul. Bobby was still there, whining and nudging my lifeless form, trying to wake me.

Immediately, it seemed that something had bound me. A flash of white light passed, and an invisible chain pulled me directly to Lucian's side.

I could feel him moving through the house, finally noticing something was wrong. My spirit followed, watching as panic slowly crept into his expression.

"Mary!" he called to our servant. "Where's Scarlett? Has anyone seen her today?"

The maid wrung her hands nervously. "No, Alpha. Not since this morning."

I watched as worry crept into his expression. Good. Let him worry. Let him search.

I may have died, but my revenge was just beginning.