Chapter 1

When Caleb saw that I wasn't crying or throwing a fit, he quietly let out a breath of relief.After all, I used to get upset and jealous whenever I saw him alone with Ruby Sandoval. We had argued about it countless times. I even left home once just to get him to keep his distance from her. But now, I was oddly calm.He pulled out the mate termination contract and handed it to me. He said, "Zoe, just sign it. I can't go through with the bonding ceremony unless we officially end our relationship."I took the papers and read them carefully. Right at the top, it said, "Due to emotional incompatibility, Zoe Johnston voluntarily terminates her bond with Alpha Caleb Lowe."That line hit me hard. So, we were ending things because we were "emotionally incompatible"? But there was nothing wrong with our relationship.Normally, the courthouse's official mate termination contract template didn't include a reason. This one had clearly been edited.I knew this was Ruby's doing. She had made su

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

"Zoe!" Caleb's voice trembled with fear and panic.As my consciousness faded, I felt no fear, only a strange sense of relief. Was it finally ending? I thought I had 24 hours left. Had it come even sooner?Maybe that was better. At least I wouldn't have to suffer through the pain eating away at me anymore."Caleb, the journal on the nightstand and the voice recording are my parting gifts to you. Please remember to take a look," I thought....When I woke up, I was in a ward. The sharp sting of antiseptic in the air jolted me fully awake. I was still alive.I glanced at the clock on the wall and realized I had been unconscious for 12 hours. This meant I had only 12 hours left to live."Zoe, you're finally awake!" Caleb's voice was filled with relief, like he had just pulled me back from the edge."What happened?" I asked."You collapsed and started coughing up blood," he said, watching me closely. "Zoe, let's get you a full check-up, okay?""No," I refused quickly. "You know I

Chapter 4

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,

Chapter 5

Caleb's hands trembled as he opened the journal. The moment he saw the familiar handwriting, tears welled up again and spilled down his face."May 1st. Today, the doctor told me I have Wolf Dissolution Disorder. I only have three days left. I'm so scared. I want to tell Caleb, but I don't want him to worry.""May 2nd. I saw the mate termination contract Caleb gave me. It broke my heart. I know he's just trying to fulfill Ruby's dying wish, but I can't bear to let him go.""May 3rd. I coughed up so much blood today, but I didn't dare tell Caleb. I don't want him to see me like this. I had to watch them go on a date. It felt like my heart was being ripped apart."...By the time he finished reading, he was sobbing uncontrollably. He couldn't begin to imagine how I had managed to endure those final days. Every page he turned felt like a knife to the heart. He couldn't fathom the pain I must have felt writing those words.In agony, he gripped his hair, then drove a knife deep into hi

Chapter 6

"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