3

My phone buzzed on the kitchen counter as I was preparing dinner. Derek's name flashed across the screen.

"Hey," I answered, tucking the phone between my ear and shoulder as I continued chopping vegetables.

"Luna," Derek's voice came through, slightly muffled by background noise. "I need to stay late at The Howl tonight. Pack business came up unexpectedly."

I paused, knife hovering over the cutting board. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just some territory negotiations. Nothing to worry about." He hesitated. "Don't wait up for me. I might be back late."

"Alright. Be safe."

After hanging up, I glanced at the clock—7:30 PM. The vegetables lay forgotten as I wiped my hands on a dish towel, my mind already drifting to other thoughts.

I was about to return to cooking when I noticed Derek's medicine on the windowsill. The small blue bottle stood out like a warning sign.

Derek's sensitive stomach had been acting up lately. His wolf metabolism handled most things, but alcohol on an empty stomach always caused him problems. I picked up the bottle, turning it in my palm.

He'd definitely need this if he was drinking at The Howl tonight.

Without overthinking it, I grabbed my keys and jacket. The cooking could wait. My mate needed his medicine, whether he realized it or not.

The Howl was a private bar owned by our pack, about fifteen minutes from our house. The parking lot was half-full when I arrived—busy for a weeknight. I recognized most of the cars as belonging to Derek's inner circle.

As I approached the back entrance, voices drifted through the slightly ajar door. I slowed my steps, the medicine bottle cool in my palm.

"Come on, Alpha," a male voice I recognized as Jason's, Derek's beta, teased. "We've all been wondering for years. You've known Sarah forever, and now you're mated to Luna. Who do you think is more beautiful?"

My breath caught. I should walk away or make my presence known. Instead, I froze, my wolf's heightened hearing picking up every word.

"That's not a fair question," Derek protested, though amusement tinged his voice.

"Truth or dare, man. You picked truth," another voice chimed in.

There was a pause, followed by laughter.

"Fine." Derek's voice lowered, but not enough. "Sarah is beautiful, obviously. Always has been."

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest.

"And Luna?" Jason pressed.

Derek chuckled. "Luna? She's just... Luna. Always wearing that same apron, cooking at home every day. It's different."

The words hit me like physical blows, each one sinking deep into my flesh. I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath until my lungs started burning.

Acting on instinct more than thought, I pushed the door open.

The scene before me felt like something from a nightmare. Sarah—gorgeous as ever with her flowing blonde hair and perfect smile—was perched on Derek's lap, holding a french fry to his lips. His arm rested casually around her waist.

Five pairs of eyes snapped toward me. Derek's widened in shock.

"Luna," he stammered, immediately pushing Sarah off his lap. She landed gracefully on her feet, not looking the least bit embarrassed. "This isn't—"

"I brought your stomach medicine," I said, my voice flat as I held up the small bottle. "You forgot it at home."

Derek stood quickly, running a hand through his hair. "Thanks. We were just—it was just a stupid game of truth or dare. I lost."

"That's right," Sarah agreed, her smile never faltering. "We were just having fun. Nothing serious." She glanced at me, her eyes assessing. "Yes, Luna is so generous. She won't mind, right?"

The room fell silent. All eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. Would I be the cool, understanding mate? Or the jealous, territorial one?

I placed the medicine bottle on the nearest table and turned toward the door.

"Luna, wait—" Derek called after me.

I paused at the threshold but didn't turn around.

"Don't forget to take your medicine," I said quietly. "Your stomach will thank you later."

I walked out, letting the door close behind me, wondering if any of them could smell the salt of the tears that had begun sliding down my cheeks.

In that moment, beyond the hurt, I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of injustice.

And in that same moment, a plan for revenge began to take shape in my mind.

Derek didn't cheat, my wolf knew it.

But Sarah's return still filled me with dread.

I decided to continued playing the role of the perfect mate. I wanted to see the moment he learned of his perfect Luna’s death.

When he came home that night, he brought me a gift.

A pink gemstone that sparkled brilliantly under the lights, its intricate design obviously expensive.

It was beautiful. It even possessed high-level healing properties.

But I didn't like it. My broken body was like a sieve now, unable to absorb any healing energy.

I rarely wore jewelry, only dressing up when accompanying Derek to formal pack dinners.

Derek wasn't good with words. I knew this gift was his way of apologizing and making amends for what happened this morning.

I accepted it with a smile anyway.

Derek's expression softened slightly. I wasn't sure if he was relieved that I wasn't upset or that I didn't hold anything against Sarah.

I casually placed the box in a drawer and went to bed before him, though sleep eluded me.

When he finally came to the bedroom and lay down beside me, the familiar scent of sandalwood enveloped me as he carefully wrapped his arms around me from behind.

His warmth seeped through the thin fabric of my nightclothes. I closed my eyes, keeping my breathing even.

Even after he fell asleep, I remained wide awake.

The physical discomfort was growing worse.

I opened my eyes.

Moonlight poured through the window, coating everything in silver.

I stared for what felt like hours, until the world grew so quiet it seemed I was the only one left.

And then the realization hit me, as if I'd only just remembered:

I was going to die soon.