Sell the Wedding Ring

Scarlett’s POV:

"Scarlett!" Lucian's voice cut through the haze. "Someone get the pack doctor!"

Strong arms lifted me. Even through the pain, I could smell Lily's perfume on his shirt. The scent made my stomach turn.

"She's burning up," I heard him say. "Her heart's racing too fast."

The curse pulsed beneath my skin, feeding on my pain, growing stronger with each betrayal.

I woke to white walls and the sharp smell of antiseptic. Lucian sat beside my bed in the pack's medical wing, his face etched with what looked like genuine concern as he held my hand.

"You scared me," he whispered, brushing hair from my face. "What were you doing outside my office?"

"The council documents," I managed. "You forgot them at home."

His thumb traced circles on my palm. "You should have sent Mary. You're not well."

"I..." I hesitated, then decided to test him. "I thought I saw Lily earlier, in the pack hall?"

His hand stiffened for just a heartbeat. "She's visiting. You know how it is - she's from the Shadow Pack's noble line. We need to maintain good relations."

"Of course." I turned away, unable to bear his lies. "Diplomatic relations are important."

"Scarlett, look at me." He cupped my face, forcing me to meet his eyes. "You're my Luna, my mate. I could never lose you. Don't you know that?"

The words might have meant something yesterday. Before I'd heard him laugh at my weaknesses.

His phone buzzed. Something flashed across his face as he read the message.

"You need food," he said quickly. "I'll go back and have Mary bring you something to eat. Rest, my love."

He stood up immediately and I took his hand just in time.

"Can you stay with me a little longer, honey, I'm not hungry yet." I took his hand in mine and pleaded in a low voice for him not to go.

He hesitantly sat down again and took my hand in his, "Then you'll have to talk to me when you're hungry, little Lottie."

But I clearly sensed that he was distracted, and just then his cell phone rang again and he checked it quickly, this time without hesitation.

"Lottie, I just remembered, there's another paper in the office that I need to sign, and then I'll be back with dinner for you. Wait for me to get back, honey."

He asked me perfunctorily about my forehead and left quickly.

The moment he left, I pulled out the IV. My legs shook as I stood, but determination drove me forward. I'll go back and have Mary bring you something to eat. I followed their mingled scents into the woods behind the medical wing.

The physical exertion left my chest burning. My vision kept fading in and out, and my stomach was cramping. But when I saw the scene in front of me, I felt nauseous and like I was going to vomit.

Lucian embraced the naked Lily, leaning her against an ancient oak tree. Lily wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around him. Lucian thrust into her body forcefully, and Lily let out broken moans, making bile rise in my throat.

"My powerful Alpha," Lily purred. "Such a hero, rushing to save me the moment I called."

"Who told you to send me your nude photos?" Lucien said, pounding hard, "Didn't you want me to f""k you?"

"What about your perfect Luna?" Lily's laugh was cruel. "The pack can't stop praising her domestic talents.I wonder how skilled she is in bed?"

"Stop talking about Scarlett all the time and focus." Lucien was obviously more addicted to her flesh, his large hands rubbing her breasts as he slammed into her harder. His lips nibbled at her shoulder.

"Well, don't mention her, baby, I know you're just political, ex-Beta Alexander's daughter, she's very useful to you, isn't she? Oh, Lucian, be gentle. You're hurting me."

"Who told you to still talk about Scarlett, she's my perfect Luna, the best woman in the world." Lucien continued to lick and nibble at her shoulder boobs, causing Lily to moan and moan.

My mind flashed back to four years ago. Thomas, a visiting Alpha's son, had mocked me at a pack gathering.

"What kind of wolf can't even shift?" he'd sneered. "You're not fit to be Luna."

Lucian had nearly killed him, roaring that I was worth a hundred wolves. That my heart held more strength than any shifter.

Now he rutted against another woman, reducing our bond to mere convenience.

"I was jealous, you were so good to her and she loved you so much," Lily said with false sympathy. "Following you around like a lost pup, cooking and cleaning..."

"She has to be good at something, doesn't she? Can't hunt, can't fight, can't even shift. At least she's useful in the kitchen.Come on baby, turn your back to me.How do you think I compare to your ex-husband?"

"Of course, you are more powerful, my alpha." Their lewd laughter shattered the last glimmer of hope in my heart.

I stumbled back to the pack house , fury building with each step. For eighteen years I'd loved him. For five years I'd been his mate. I'd taken a death curse for him, helped him become Alpha, dedicated every breath to his happiness.

And he'd thrown it all away for his "true love."He let her insult my dignity.

In my study, I pulled out my finest paper. My hands shook with rage as I began writing the second letter.

"You want to see me as nothing but a convenient stepping stone?" I thought as I wrote. "I'll show you exactly what you're losing."

Each word was carefully chosen to cut deep when he finally read it. When I finished, I placed it in an ornate gift box alongside the first letter.

The billion-dollar ring on my finger caught the light. Lucian had it crafted by the most powerful shamans, infused with healing magic that had probably kept me alive these past five years.

"Your health is my priority," he'd said when he slipped it on my finger. "This will protect you always."

I didn't need his protection anymore. I didn't want it.

The auction house owner gasped when I placed the ring on his desk. "Luna Scarlett! This is the legendary Heart of the Storm ring! The healing magic alone..."

"List it immediately," I cut him off. "Starting bid is ten million dollars."

Let him see how little his "protection" meant to me now.

I left the auction house and returned to the pack house, I thought Lucien wouldn't come home today. Unexpectedly, after dinner, while I was tidying up my clothes, he suddenly barged in, "Scarlett?" Lucien shouted my name loudly, making me turn around. He was standing at the door, pale-faced and shaken. "Why...why did you leave the hospital so early?"

"I feel much better, so I was discharged. I don't like the cold feeling of the treatment center." I replied calmly, looking him in the eye.

"Well... Well..." his tone was hesitant, "Why did you want to sell the Heart of the Storm ring?"