A Life Traded for a Lie

When I agreed, a flicker of surprise crossed Caleb's face. "Zoe, you've really changed. You're so much more understanding now. I didn't think you'd say yes," he said with a smile."Ruby doesn't have long. Whatever she asks for, I just want to give it to her. As the Luna of the pack, it's my duty to care for every member." My tone was calm, almost indifferent.Caleb froze for a moment, then beamed and pulled me into a hug. "I'm so proud to have such a generous Luna by my side."We picked up Ruby first. She walked straight toward the front passenger seat and said, "Zoe's here too? I know you two are the real mates and the front seat technically belongs to you, but I get carsick. Do you mind letting me have it?"Caleb shut her down immediately. "No. The front seat is Zoe's. You'll be fine in the back. It's only a ten-minute drive.""But being carsick makes me nauseous. It could trigger my silver poisoning…" Ruby gave me a pitiful look, like I was somehow the reason she had been poiso

Caleb placed a finger under my nose. After a few seconds, he froze.A werewolf's body temperature ran hotter than a human's. The moment he touched my cold skin, he sensed something was wrong.However, he didn't want to believe it. And when he realized I had stopped breathing, the thread holding him together snapped.A moment later, his scream tore through the silence of the room. "Zoe!"He gathered me in his arms, bolted out the door, and shifted mid-run. He raced toward the hospital as fast as he could.He knew it was no use. His wolf already told him that I was gone."Doctor! Please, she's not responding. Do something!" he shouted, breathless and desperate.The doctor examined me, then sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, Alpha. It's too late. The Luna passed before she arrived. There's nothing we can do.""She's… dead?" The words hit him like lightning. He stood frozen, stunned."How did this happen? She was fine just yesterday… Was she sick? If we had caught it earlier,

"Please, I'm begging you, let me go. I'll never do it again..." Ruby curled up on the floor, crying in fear.Caleb looked down at her with nothing but cold disgust in his eyes. "You killed Zoe, and you still want forgiveness? Keep dreaming."Ruby flinched at the icy sharpness in his voice. She had never seen this side of him before. Terror swept through her. She scrambled toward him on her knees and grabbed his leg, sobbing. "Caleb, I know I was wrong. Please, forgive me. I swear I won't do it again..."However, he just stared at her coldly. He remained silent as he took out his phone and made a call. "You can come in now."Moments later, two of his men stepped into the room.Without a hint of mercy, Caleb gave the order. "Slice the tendons in her hands and feet, then cut out her tongue. Throw her off the cliff outside the pack once you're done.""Yes, Alpha," the men responded immediately and began approaching.Ruby panicked and tried to crawl away, screaming, "No! Caleb, pleas