Werewolf

The next day, before dawn had fully broken, the lights in the lab were on.

By the time Caleb finished and dragged his exhausted body away from the lab, daybreak was near.

This was the third all-nighter he'd pulled for me.

Seeing the dark circles under his eyes deepen, my spirit felt drenched in ice water.

Why couldn't I just die completely?

I hated myself for becoming a burden to him even in death.

Just as Caleb turned the corner of the alley, a tall figure rushed out from the shadows.

"Caleb, are you taking me for a fool?"

Gabriel's voice was full of suppressed fury.

"I mobilized all the Silvermoon Pack hunters, combed the woods on the outskirts three times! And the result? Olivia's Bloodmoon Stone was in your desk drawer at home! And you had me looking for her?"

The words 'Bloodmoon Stone' exploded like thunder next to Caleb's ear.

My spirit jolted violently.

That was a gem

The lab was filled with the pungent smell of chemicals.

Caleb stood with his back to Gabriel, placing the grey, lifeless Bloodmoon Stone on the workbench, his voice hoarse.

"Keep digging, Gabriel. Use all your resources. I suspect Olivia's disappearance is connected to Celeste."

Gabriel snatched up the stone, furious.

 "Dig? Caleb, what did you promise me back then? You said you'd keep her safe! Now she's gone, and all you have is this damn stone and your suspicion?"

In his agitation, his arm swung out, and the Bloodmoon Stone flew from his hand, hitting straight towards the white-shrouded body on a nearby table.

It landed with a soft tap next to the body bag.

In that very instant.

The previously dead, grey stone, upon touching the cloth imbued with the corpse's essence, suddenly emitted a faint, crimson glow.

The anger on Gabriel's face instantly solidified. He stared fixedly a

Caleb worked late into the night.

Celeste actually drove over to pick him up personally. The car's headlights cut through the darkness, piercingly bright.

"Darling, you're pregnant. You shouldn't have come yourself."

Happiness radiated from Celeste's face.

"My love, I want to be with you every moment."

Celeste skillfully wrapped her arms around Caleb's neck, and they shared a deep kiss.

This was a scene Caleb and I had never shared.

Is this how Caleb truly loves someone?

Perhaps Caleb's love rightfully belongs to Celeste.

And my death came at just the right time.

"So this is why you've been delaying the search for Olivia? Busy canoodling with your lover?"

Elma was waiting by the roadside, her hair disheveled by the night wind.

"Caleb, Olivia has been missing for four full days! You're her only family! How can you have the heart to be hugging and kissing here?"

"You're a real piece of work!"

Celeste kept her arms around Caleb's neck, a victor's smile on her face, as if the insults weren't aimed at her.

"What are you talking about? When Olivia was out fooling around on my money, did she think of me?"

"She's probably still lingering in some man's bed, she just didn't tell you."

"It's not like she hasn't done it before."

Caleb spoke bluntly, his expression full of disgust when he mentioned me.

I knew Caleb had grown tired of me lately, but hearing these words from his own mouth, each one felt like an ice-cold needle, stinging with a bitter pain.

Even though I was long dead, my spirit still felt as if my insides were being twisted into knots.

Elma trembled with rage but was blocked by the guards Celeste had brought.

Caleb didn't look at her again. He held Celeste, got into the car, and the door slammed shut as they sped away.

Late that night, after Caleb had coaxed Celeste to sleep.

He walked alone into the courtyard.

"How could she just disappear?"

A pang struck my spirit—Caleb was actually worried about me.

Or perhaps, that was just my wishful thinking?

He already had the person he loved most.

My absence should be a good thing for him.

Why would he worry about me?

He stubbed out his cigarette, turned, and went back inside.

Not long after, he changed into inconspicuous clothes and slipped out through the back door.

In the alley behind the old tavern on the outskirts of town, a familiar figure stood in the shadows.

"Caleb, never thought you'd remember me."

The man stepped out of the shadows. It was Gabriel, my childhood sweetheart.

Gabriel, the eldest son of the Silvermoon Pack.

Caleb got straight to the point. "Gabriel, help me find Olivia. She's missing..."

"Can you check where Olivia really went?"

Gabriel frowned, his expression displeased.

"Caleb, you know I have feelings for Olivia. Coming to me with this now... are you here to mock me?"

"Your lover's quarrels are none of my business. No need to amuse yourself at my expense!"

Caleb's Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke sincerely.

"She's genuinely missing. Sophia says she was pregnant, didn't return from a patrol."

"I can't get away right now. I can't trust anyone in the pack. I have to beg you."

Gabriel was taken aback, a flicker of ruthlessness in his eyes.

"Caleb, I told you back then, if you ever dared hurt Olivia, I'd make sure you died."

Caleb was silent for a long moment.

"Please. Do it for Olivia, okay?"

Gabriel was silent for a while, finally sighing.

"Caleb, this is the last time."

Caleb stood there for a long time, his silhouette full of loneliness.

The moonlight stretched his shadow long, betraying his exhaustion.

When he returned home, the lights in the living room were still on.

Celeste sat on the sofa. On the coffee table in front of her was an exquisite dessert—honey pine cake, Caleb's favorite.

"Why are you awake?" Caleb was somewhat surprised.

Celeste said gently, "I knew you were tired, so I wanted to do what I could to share your burden..."

Celeste handed him a spoon. As Caleb took it, his fingertips brushed her hand. She leaned into his embrace.

"Darling, where did you go earlier? I woke up and you were gone, it made me anxious."

"Just went to the courtyard for a smoke."

Caleb scooped up a bite of cake, chewing slowly.

"The flavor is excellent."

Celeste smiled, her eyes curving.

Watching this scene, even I had to admit defeat.

Her midnight snack was Caleb's favorite dessert, exquisitely made, even the tableware was his preferred brand.

Thinking of how I used to always blame him for neglecting home, putting too much pressure on him.

Celeste was so gentle and considerate.

Perhaps Caleb leaving me wasn't his fault.

But mine, for not being good enough.

Celeste smiled, her eyes curving.

Watching this scene, even I had to admit defeat.

Her midnight snack was Caleb's favorite dessert, exquisitely made, even the tableware was his preferred brand.

Thinking of how I used to always blame him for neglecting home, putting too much pressure on him.

Celeste was so gentle and considerate.

Perhaps Caleb leaving me wasn't his fault.

But mine, for not being good enough.



The next day, before dawn had fully broken, the lights in the lab were on.

By the time Caleb finished and dragged his exhausted body away from the lab, daybreak was near.

This was the third all-nighter he'd pulled for me.

Seeing the dark circles under his eyes deepen, my spirit felt drenched in ice water.

Why couldn't I just die completely?

I hated myself for becoming a burden to him even in death.

Just as Caleb turned the corner of the alley, a tall figure rushed out from the shadows.

"Caleb, are you taking me for a fool?"

Gabriel's voice was full of suppressed fury.

"I mobilized all the Silvermoon Pack hunters, combed the woods on the outskirts three times! And the result? Olivia's Bloodmoon Stone was in your desk drawer at home! And you had me looking for her?"

The words 'Bloodmoon Stone' exploded like thunder next to Caleb's ear.

My spirit jolted violently.

That was a gem nurtured with the essence blood of an elder when a female wolf came of age.

After being worn close

Chapter6