He Loved Me Only When I Was Leaving Life

This year would mark 20 years since I first met Zack.

Two decades were more than enough for a loving pair of mates to go their separate ways.

Zack was still just an Alpha's illegitimate pup when I met him for the first time. We attended the same academy. I didn't know his name at the time, but I knew he worked part-time in the academy's convenience store, canteen, bakery, and other facilities.

We had been so young at the time, causing us to mistake our curiosity toward the opposite sex as love. When I reminisced, I realized that perhaps we had been wrong from the very beginning. One thing led to another, and we ended up getting together.

Zack was by my side during the best moments of my youth. We were accepted to the same university, but he had wanted to forfeit his acceptance because he didn't have enough money to pay for the fees.

I didn't hesitate for even a second and ran all the way back home when he told me his decision with reddened eyes. It was the first time I got on my knees to beg Dad to help Zack because I didn't want to be apart from him.

Dad had remained silent for a long time before he asked, "Have you thought this through? Are you sure that he's going to be the one for you for the rest of your life?"

I nodded. From the moment I agreed to be with him, I knew that Zack was the one for me. I also swore to Dad that I would only love Zack for the rest of my life.

Dad didn't say anything else. The next day, he sold off a large plot of the orchard behind our home and collected enough money to send Zack to university.

Tears had welled up in Zack's eyes when Dad handed him the stacks of bills. He fell to his knees in front of Dad and swore to repay his kindness after he graduated.

Dad helped Zack back up to his feet. "I don't need you to repay me," he said earnestly. "All you have to do is be good to Giselle."

Zack nodded. He brought me to the pack's altar and made a vow in front of the Moon Goddess' statue. He promised to never let me down for the rest of my life and give me eternal happiness.

Later, when the Alpha's heir passed away, he finally remembered the illegitimate pup that he had abandoned. He then ordered his wolves to bring Zack home.

Zack transformed from an illegitimate pup who was looked down upon by everyone into a glamorous heir overnight. He didn't forget his vow to me and brought me back to his new home once he had solidified his position in his family.

"It doesn't matter if I'm just a bastard or the Alpha's heir. My love for you has never changed," he declared sincerely while holding my hands.

He then gave me a fang necklace and helped me put it on.

"This is my sharpest fang, Giselle. It helped me out of a pinch many times when I was ambushed. I made it into a necklace for you to signify that I'm putting my life in your hands. Don't forget that I only exist in this world because of you."

My love for Zack reached its peak at that moment, and I gave him every piece of myself.

There was a time when I was attacked by a few Rogues sent by Zack's younger brother. They planned to abduct me to blackmail Zack into giving up the Alpha heir's position.

Zack had been on the verge of tears when they pressed the silver dagger to my throat.

"I'll do anything you want! Just don't hurt Giselle. Please, I'm begging you!"

I had known Zack for many years, but it was the first time I had seen him begging pathetically on his knees.

Tears streamed down my face as I screamed for Zack to stop while he picked up the silver dagger with trembling hands and pointed it at his own neck.

His eyes were glimmering with tears, but he was smiling when he said, "Dying for your sake is worth it. We have to be together again in our next lives."

The dagger had been inches away from his throat when the rescue force burst onto the scene. They apprehended Zack's brother while I crawled toward Zack, ignoring the wounds on my body.

The rain beat down on our bodies, but we didn't feel cold at all as we cried our hearts out.

It was at that moment that I became convinced that Zack's love for me transcended life and death. Even death wouldn't be able to keep us apart. We would definitely be together for the rest of our lives.

Unfortunately, reality was cruel. Not long after the abduction incident, I discovered that Zack, who supposedly loved me with every fiber of his being, had cheated on me.