Chapter 1 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 sure that line was there so that when she and Caleb bonded, no one could accuse her of being the third party. After all, everyone in the pack saw us as the perfect couple. Our love story was something others envied. If there was no mention of "emotional incompatibility", people would have seen her for what she really was—a homewrecker. I wiped my tears, swallowed the pain, and signed the agreement. Caleb took it from me, visibly relieved. He said, "Zoe, I knew you'd understand. You're the kindest, most selfless Luna our pack could ask for. Everyone's proud to have someone like you. Please believe me that I'm only doing this to make sure Ruby has no regrets in her final days. You're still the only one I love." He kissed my forehead and walked out without looking back. As the door closed, I couldn't hold it in anymore. A mouthful of blood spilled from my lips. I wiped it away and forced an ugly smile. I murmured, "Caleb, I only have three days left to live. Haven't you noticed how weak our mate bond has become? Maybe you're too busy to see it. I wonder… If you knew it was me who was dying and not Ruby, would you still have made the same choice?" That night, Caleb didn't return until past midnight. The dinner I made had long gone cold. I had fallen asleep at the table, waiting for him. When he walked in and saw me there, a flicker of guilt crossed his face. He asked, "Zoe, why are you still out here? Why didn't you go to bed?" I rubbed my eyes, sat up, and replied, "I was waiting to eat with you." His gaze faltered. Since we bonded, this was the first time he had come home so late. He used to be home early every night, no matter how busy work got. Even if he had things to take care of, he would bring them home and wait until I fell asleep before diving into them. "Zoe, I…" He scratched his nose awkwardly. "Ruby had a relapse. I stayed with her at the hospital. You know she's an orphan. She doesn't really have anyone else to turn to. I'm sorry I kept you waiting." He stepped toward me and reached out, trying to pull me into his arms. But I stood up and took a step back, just in time to slip out of his reach. "I'll go heat up your dinner," I said softly. Caleb nodded, a little ashamed. "Thanks, Zoe. I promise I'll make it up to you in a week." I lowered my head and said nothing. "Make it up to me? There's no 'future' for us anymore. I've only got 48 hours left to live," I thought. The next morning, I got up early and made breakfast. When Caleb came downstairs and saw me, his expression briefly showed guilt. "Zoe, you're up already?""I made breakfast. You should eat before you go," I said, pointing to the table. He sat across from me and had just picked up his cutlery when his phone rang. It was Ruby. As soon as the call connected, her sweet, whiny voice came through the speaker. "Caleb, didn't you promise to come with me for my check-up today? Where are you? Is Zoe clinging to you again?" Caleb glanced at me. "No. I'll come find you after I finish breakfast.""Alright then," she said playfully. "If Zoe really insists, just bring her along. That way, it won't seem like we're sneaking around behind her back. I'd feel terrible if it looks like we're having an affair. With her around, no one would dare call me a third wheel." He gave me a hesitant look. "Ruby is hoping you'll come too." My heart sank, but I looked up and smiled. "Sure. I'll go with you."

Chapter 2 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 poisoned. "It's fine," I said before anyone else could speak. "You can take the front. I'll sit in the back." The whole ride, Ruby cheerfully chattered about food, travel spots, and fun things she wanted to do. Her energy was high, and her skin was glowing. She didn't look sick at all. Meanwhile, I was the one who was truly dying. My organs were already shutting down from advanced Wolf Dissolution Disorder. If I hadn't taken a whole bottle of painkillers before we left, I wouldn't have even made it out the door. Ruby switched back to her frail, near-death act. One moment, she was asking Caleb to stand in line for her, and the next, she sent him off to pick up her test results. After the check-up, she turned to him with a twinkle in her eyes. "Caleb, I've never been to an amusement park. I heard that if you make a wish at the top of the Ferris wheel, it comes true." Caleb looked at me, clearly conflicted. "Ruby, Zoe probably isn't into places like that." He said it because he knew that I was terrified of heights. "Caleb…" Ruby clung to his arm, whining coquettishly. "Just this once, please? I'm about to die, and this is my only wish. Can't you at least make this one thing come true?" Worn down, he gave in. At the amusement park, she darted around like an excited bird, tugging him along from ride to ride. I followed behind, a wave of pain crashing through me with every step. The morning's medication had worn off, so I gulped down another full bottle of painkillers just to keep moving. In the restroom, Ruby followed me in. She said sarcastically, "You really think a pathetic, washed-up woman like you can compete with me?" Gone was the obedient act she put on in front of Caleb. Her eyes were now filled with mockery. "I don't have silver poisoning at all. It's all fake. Once the bonding ceremony's done, he's mine. You really think I'd give him back to you after that?" I said nothing and kept my eyes lowered. It didn't matter whether she gave him back or not. I wouldn't live long enough to see it. Seeing me like that only made her smirk more. "Look at you—all quiet and weak, like some stray dog on the street. Pathetic." She didn't notice the phone in my pocket. The recording was already running. I raised my head, my expression blank. "Ruby, I don't know what you're trying to say. I agreed to the mate termination contract because I felt sorry for you. Caleb and I are doing just fine. He won't leave me.""Oh, really? We'll see, then." She flashed a vicious smile, hooked her arm through mine, and led me outside. Once we stepped through the door, she immediately switched to an affectionate persona. "Zoe, let's ride the roller coaster!" Without waiting for an answer, she just dragged me along. As the coaster climbed higher, I stared at the shrinking ground below and felt the world spin. By the time it ended, I was barely holding it together. I turned to ask Caleb for support, but Ruby suddenly cried out, "Caleb, I feel so dizzy…" And just like that, she collapsed into his arms. He caught her immediately and rushed toward the exit without looking back at me. I had just stepped off the ride. My body was barely functioning as it was. Watching their backs disappear into the crowd, I felt like everything went black. I coughed up blood and collapsed. Just before I lost consciousness, I saw Caleb pushing Ruby aside and running toward me. Then, I felt a single tear fall on my face.

Chapter 3 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 hate hospitals. Besides, my dad died in one." Just then, Ruby spoke up from the corner of the ward. "Caleb, my stomach hurts…" Caleb immediately turned to her, his eyes filled with concern. "What's wrong? Are you feeling sick again?" She clutched her stomach, wincing dramatically. "I think the silver poisoning is acting up.""Alright. I'll take you to the doctor right away." He glanced back at me, hesitant. "Zoe, wait here for me. I'll take her to get checked, then I'll come right back.""I'm fine," I said with a slight shake of my head. "Go with her." I already knew he wouldn't be back anytime soon. Ruby would find a way to keep him busy. So, I discharged myself. By the time he called me, night had already fallen. "Zoe, why did you leave the hospital on your own?" Caleb sounded irritated. "You never came back," I said calmly. "And I didn't want to stay there breathing in antiseptic fumes, so I left.""Zoe, I'm sorry," he said with a hint of guilt. "Ruby's silver poisoning was flaring up again. I just couldn't leave her.""I understand," I said with a smile. "Don't worry about me." It was late when he finally came home. He held me tightly, his eyes full of guilt. "Zoe, I'm sorry for leaving you alone today. Ruby's condition was serious. I couldn't just walk away," he explained. I didn't say much. "I get it. She needed you more." Caleb looked at me, his expression unreadable. "Zoe… we'll be busy preparing for the bonding ceremony, so I'll move out tomorrow. That way, I won't be in the way." I agreed when he asked. At 5:00 am, I took my final breath as I lay next to Caleb. The next day, just before leaving, he looked at me with hesitation. Thinking I was still asleep, he gently shook my shoulders and kissed my forehead. He said, "Zoe, once all of this is over, let's go to Snowland and see the aurora, okay?""Caleb, don't you know? I'm already gone," I thought. Even though I was dead, my soul lingered. I watched everything unfold from beyond. When I didn't respond, he took my hand. The moment he felt how cold it was, his face went pale. "Zoe? Zoe? What's wrong?"