Chapter 152

[ 1,183 words ]

Author’s POV

Scott stumbled out of the seafood restaurant, his heart heavy with defeat. The image of Emilia’s hand in Sebastian’s, the way her eyes lit up when she looked at her husband, that image cut through him like a blade, and each beat of his heart drove it deeper.

He made his way to a pub, ordering drink after drink until the bartender’s face blurred. His wolf stirred restlessly inside him, sensing his pain but unable to offer comfort. How many years had he loved her from a distance?

And for what? To watch her fall for someone else.

His fingers fumbled for his phone. He needed to talk to someone who understood, someone who knew the whole story.

Lily Adams picked up.

“Scott? What’s wrong?”

“Come to Murphy’s Pub,” he slurred. “Please.”

Lily hung up and rushed over right away. She slid into the seat beside him.

She reached for the half-empty glass in his hand. “Scott, how much have you had?”

“Not enough.” He pulled the glass back stubbornly. “Tell me the truth, Lily. She loves him, doesn’t she? Really loves him?”

Lily froze. She nodded awkwardly, then shook her head. “Why are you asking me this? She went to France, didn’t she?”

“No.” Scott laughed bitterly. “She didn’t go anywhere. I just saw her. At the seafood place down the street. She was holding Sebastian’s hand, smiling like I’ve never seen her smile before. I’ve never seen her that happy…”

He took another swig, the alcohol burning down his throat but doing nothing to numb the ache in his chest.

Lily blinked in surprise. “She’s back? She didn’t tell me…”

“Do you know how long I’ve loved her?” Scott interrupted, his words tumbling out faster now. “Do you know how many times I’ve stood by, watching her struggle, wanting to help but knowing she’d never let me close enough?”

“I know,” Lily said quietly, looking away. “I know better than anyone.”

“Then tell me what I did wrong,” he demanded. “What did I do that made her choose a man like Sebastian Simons over me? What am I lacking?”

“You’re not lacking anything,” Lily said, her voice tight. “Emilia just… she doesn’t want to hurt you.”

Scott froze, confusion filling his beautiful eyes.

“Hurt me? How would being with me hurt me?”

Lily hesitated, then sighed. “She married Sebastian to get revenge for her mother. But somewhere along the way, she fell in love with him.”

“Revenge?” Scott straightened slightly. “What revenge?”

Seeing the desperate confusion in his eyes, Lily couldn’t help but tell him. So she told him everything that had happened to Emilia.

After hearing her out, Scott went silent for a long time. He just kept drinking. No matter what Lily said, he wouldn’t stop.

Then he suddenly put down his glass and stumbled out of the bar. Lily hurried after him.

“Where are you going?” Lily grabbed his arm. “Scott, it’s late…”

“Let go.” He shook her off, stumbling toward the door.

“At least let me drive you!” Lily called after him, but he was already gone.

She sat there for a moment, torn between respecting his space and worrying about his safety. Finally, she threw some bills on the table and followed him out into the night.

Scott walked with the focused determination of someone very drunk trying very hard to appear sober. Lily trailed behind at a distance, close enough to step in if he did something stupid but far enough that he wouldn’t notice her.

Her stomach sank when she realized where he was heading.

The Silver Moon Pack house loomed ahead. Guards were posted not far off.

Scott stopped under a streetlamp nearby and pulled out his phone.

Inside the pack house, Emilia had just finished changing into her pajamas when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the caller ID and frowned.

Scott. At this hour?

Sebastian was in the shower, so she answered quietly. “What is it?”

“I’m outside your house.” His voice was thick with alcohol. “Come out. Now.””Scott, I’m about to go to sleep. Whatever you need to say can wait until…”

“If you don’t come out,” he interrupted, “I’ll start howling. I’ll wake up this entire pack. I’ll stand here and scream your name until you come down.”

Emilia’s eyes widened. “You’re drunk.”

“Maybe. But I’m also serious. Come down, or I make a scene. Your choice.”

She closed her eyes, cursing under her breath. The last thing she needed was Scott making a drunken spectacle outside Sebastian’s home. Her husband’s jealousy was already legendary. This would push him over the edge.

“Fine,” she hissed. “Stay there. And be quiet.”

She grabbed a coat and slipped out of the bedroom. Eve stirred in her mind.

“This is a bad idea,” her wolf warned.

“You think I don’t know that?” Emilia shot back. “But if Sebastian hears him shouting my name outside, it’ll be worse.”

She made it to the gate and spotted Scott leaning heavily against the streetlamp, exactly as drunk as she’d feared. The smell of alcohol hit her before she even reached him.

“What do you want?” she asked in a low voice, glancing around nervously. “Make it quick before…”

“I know everything,” Scott said.

Emilia froze. “What are you talking about?”

“Everything about you.”

Emilia’s heart pounded. She kept her face blank. “I don’t have time to waste. I’m going back inside now.”

She turned to leave, but Scott grabbed her arm.

“Why him? Why Sebastian? If you wanted to marry someone for revenge, why not me? I would’ve helped you. I would’ve done anything you asked.”

Emilia was both shocked and furious. She shoved his hand away. “What nonsense are you talking about? There’s no such thing!”

She tried to walk away, but Scott wouldn’t let her go. “Stop hiding it from me. Why do you want to carry this alone? You know I’d do anything for you if you’d just let me help. I wouldn’t complain once.”

“Let go of me,” Emilia said, her voice hardening.

“I love you,” Scott said desperately. “I’ve loved you for years. Don’t you understand that?”

Slap.

Scott’s head snapped to the side, his grip on her wrist loosening. Emilia’s hand stung, but she didn’t lower it.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” Emilia said, her voice breaking. “I can handle my own problems. I never wanted you to carry any of this for me, Scott. Not then, not now.”

“Emilia…”

“No.” She stepped back, wrapping her coat tighter around herself. “You need to let this go, Scott. Let me go. Find someone who can love you the way you deserve, because it’s never going to be me.”

She turned and walked back toward the house. Behind her, Scott stood frozen, looking utterly broken.

Lily watched the whole thing from the shadows, tears welling up in her eyes. Scott stood there for a long time, and she stayed quietly at his side the entire time. He didn’t turn around to look at her, not even once. But she was used to that by now.

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