Chapter 1

1.

For five years, I was supposed to be Kael's Luna.

Instead, he used fifty-two marking ceremonies to prove to the Moon Goddess that he didn't deserve me.

The first time, the Omega girl he’d rescued, Elara, got "lost" during a hunt. He immediately stopped the ceremony to find her, leaving me alone on the ritual altar as the power of our unfinished bond faded into the cold wind.

The second time, during tense negotiations with a rival pack, he felt Elara being bullied through their mind link. He abandoned everything and raced back to her, leaving me to face a room full of hostiles alone.

After that, no matter which full moon I chose for our ceremony, Elara always had some "accident" that required him―an injury in training, being ostracized by other wolves, or just a simple nightmare.

Finally, my heart gave out. I decided to sever this damned "fated mate" bond for good.

The day I left the Ashenfang Pack, he went insane, chasing my scent across the world with the last dregs of our connection.

…

Tonight was my fifty-second attempt at a marking ceremony with Kael. This time, I didn't invite any outsiders. The only witnesses were our most trusted pack members.

I ignored the stinging pain from a claw wound from my last battle, personally checking every detail of the ceremonial grounds. He, on the other hand, was completely distracted.

Right now, in the Alpha's tent, he was using his power to soothe Elara, who had "accidentally" twisted her ankle. Omegas were always so fragile.

My family’s warriors saw this, their eyes turning to ice. One of the elders whispered to me, "Princess Lyra, look at him. Has he ever once respected the honor of the Silvermoon Royal Clan?"

Everyone knew how important this ceremony was. It wasn't just a union of two packs; it was the joining of our very souls.

But just as the moon reached its peak and the ritual was about to begin, Kael, who should have been standing by my side, chose to abandon it once again.

I ran after him, but he stopped me with a firm hand.

"Elara's injury is serious. I have to take her to the healer myself."

"Let's... cancel the ceremony. Next time, I promise. We'll complete it next time."

With that, he tore his hand from my grasp, swept Elara into his arms, and shifted into his wolf form, vanishing into the night.

Fifty-two times in five years. Fifty-two times he had broken our vow to the Moon Goddess for another woman.

Before, I would have screamed at him through our mind link.

But this time, I just stood there calmly. I even smiled.

"It's okay. Omega bodies are more delicate, after all."

Kael paused, clearly surprised by my "generosity."

"I'm glad you understand. I'll bring you your favorite roasted deer heart tonight."

I just hummed in response, watching him disappear. The moment he was gone, the smile froze and fell from my face.

He forgot.

I never eat deer heart. It's forbidden by my family's bloodline. The one who loves roasted deer heart isn't me.

He’d brought it to me once. I forced down a sickening bite before telling him my body rejected the food. He swore then that he would never, ever forget again.

It had only been a year. His "forever" was already over.

I let out a bitter laugh, turned, and walked back to the altar. In front of everyone, I drew the ritual dagger and sliced through the Moonglow Bracelet on my wrist―the symbol of our status as intended mates.

I knew, right then, that our five-year bond was finally over.