Chapter 1 Chapter 1

There's this unspoken rule in werewolf high society: no matter how tight the mate bond is, business banquets mean booking a hostess. Six years into our bond, my Alpha mate—Brian Stormclaw—met one. Louise. A scrappy Omega with too much pride and not enough sense. When he offered her his black card, she pushed it back and said, "I'm not some Alpha's pampered pet." Brian? Instantly hooked. Like the Moon Goddess herself had dropped her in his lap. He chased her like he wanted her mark on every pack crest. But he forgot something—I was the Luna he wrote ninety-nine love letters to before I said yes. I didn't beg. Didn't snap. Every time he chose her over me, I lit another letter. First one burned on our anniversary—he bailed to wait outside Louise's flower shop, just to walk her home. Letter thirty-four? He left me stranded in a dangerous hunting ground to keep her company. Said she was scared of the dark. Fifty-two? Torched the second he replaced our wedding photo with some sketch she made on. And when the ninety-ninth turned to ash, so did whatever was left of us. I walked away. For good. ... I torched the ninety-seventh love letter at an auction. Brian came with me to win back my family's Moonstone necklace—the one I pawned to bankroll his startup back when we were just two bonded wolves chasing a dream. He used to hold me close, swearing he'd get it back one day. But the second the bidding started? He clocked Louise—serving drinks, working part-time. She looked at the necklace a second too long. Brian outbid everyone like a lunatic, dropped a fortune—then handed it to her like it was a freaking daisy. "I saw you eyeing it," he said, smiling. "Figured you should have it." Louise smacked his hand. "Wrong girl. I'm not your pet, and I sure as hell don't do sugar daddies. Keep your rocks and stay outta my tips." She spun off with her tray. Brian didn't blow up. Just smiled like she was the most interesting thing in the world. Then he left me—just dipped—and chased after her. In public. My chest locked up. My feet moved before my brain did. I followed. Out on the cruise deck, wind slapping like it hated me, I saw him still trying. She shut him down again. So he threw it. That Moonstone necklace—my birthright—he launched it straight into the ocean. "If that's not good enough, I'll keep buying 'til something is," he said, like he was tossing roses, not ancestral jewelry. "Psycho," Louise muttered, striding off. Brian didn't even flinch. Didn't even see me. I climbed the railing and jumped—straight into that freezing, violent sea. The cold slapped the breath outta me. And just like that, I was back—six years ago, same kind of cruise, when he dropped to one knee and said, "Mary Moonveil, I love you more than life itself. I'll give you anything you want." Now? The heirloom I sold to build his future? Trash. I swam all night and day. Thought I'd die. But I crawled out, freezing, shaking—and still clutching the necklace. Tight enough it sliced my palm. I didn't care. Back at the pack, the whispers hit like bullets. "The Alpha's gone nuts for her. Never chased an Omega like this.""Didn't even act like that with Luna Mary." I couldn't stop shaking. Felt like someone stabbed me clean through. Of course. Back then? He wrote me ninety-nine love letters. Ninety-nine proposals. Ninety-nine fights just to win me. We'd been together since school—mated young, bonded deep. Even after the wedding, everyone said our love was untouchable. Girls like Louise? They used to envy me. Then year six came—and he met her. A clumsy hostess who spilled wine all over his suit. Ice cubes and all. And instead of snapping? He smiled. Locked onto her like prey. Later? He spoiled her rotten—jewelry, a car, a whole damn house. Trying to make her his side chick. She shut him down flat. "Not into nobles. Stay outta my space." Then she came to me. "Control your mate. Tell him to back the hell off." Anyone else would've caught Brian's rage. But her? He doubled down. When I finally called him out, he pulled me close and whispered: "Babe, you're the only one I love. She's just a thrill—something to shake up the routine. Once I'm done, I'll come back. You're my Luna, my forever. So be generous, yeah?" It wrecked me. My wolf howled. No air. No thoughts. Just pain. I wanted to walk away. But I couldn't unlove him—not after everything we were. So I dug out the ninety-nine love letters he wrote me—and made a choice. I'd forgive him. Ninety-nine times. Every time he crushed me, I'd burn one. And when I torched the last? I'd be gone. Tonight, I lit number ninety-seven. Watched his words burn, thinking, 'Only two left, Brian.' Back at the mansion, maybe it was the sea in my bones or just everything finally cracking me open. I walked in, slipped hard, and hit the floor flat. Brian stood on the stairs. Saw me fall. Didn't move. I hit the floor hard. Blood gushed from my forehead, vision swimming. Then he rushed over, scooped me up, yelling into his phone, "Mary's hurt! Get the healer—now!" His Beta asked, "The closest are Senior Healer Jesicca and Intern Healer Louise. Who should I send?" Brian froze. Even while I trembled, half-conscious, I heard him. Low. Calm. Cold. "Send Louise." When I finally came to, my head throbbed, wrapped tight in bandages. The room didn't feel like home. For a second, I begged it was all a nightmare. That he picked Jesicca. That this wasn't real. 'He loves me', I told myself. 'He wouldn't...' Then I heard her. "Luna Mary, you're awake?" That voice—way too sweet. Louise. Ice cut down my spine. I wished I'd stayed unconscious. It was real. All of it.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Louise strolled in like she owned the damn place—no makeup, just smug in that intern healer uniform. "I'm Louise. Your personal healer now." Her gaze dropped like a challenge. "I only moved into your den for convenience—but leash your mate. If he bugs me again, I'm gone." My chest tightened. She was squatting in my den, and I was supposed to leash my mate? "I want someone else," I rasped. She didn't even blink. Just whipped out a syringe. "Time for your shot." First stab—missed. Second—missed again. My hand puffed up like it'd been stung by a swarm. Third—finally hit blood. "If you can't do it, get someone who can," I hissed. Pain made my voice shake. Her eyes welled. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I'd be here if my grandma wasn't sick?" She grabbed my hand again—needle scraped deep. Blood trickled down my skin. That was it. I yanked away. "Enough. Don't touch me." She stumbled back into the supply rack. Bottles flew. Brian must've heard it—door burst open. He didn't even look at me. His eyes locked on Louise, crumpled on the floor. His whole face shifted. Went straight to her. "What happened?" Her voice cracked. "If I'm not wanted, I'll leave." Brian knelt beside her. "Who said you're not wanted?" She pointed at me. "Your Luna shoved me. I told you I wasn't fully trained." He glanced at my hand—bloody, swelling. Something flickered in his eyes. Then died. "I apologize for Mary. What do you need to stay?" Louise straightened. "Not your apology. I'm tired of nobles treating us like dirt. She needs to say sorry. To me." Brian turned to me. "Mary... just say you're sorry." I stared at him, stunned. "She did this to me, and I'm the one saying sorry?" Brian frowned. "She didn't mean to hurt you. She tried. But you shoved her. Come on—it's just words. You're not losing anything." Ice coiled in my gut. My brain flatlined. Brian's eyes darkened. He wasn't bluffing. This was Alpha mode. No room for pushback. I slid out of bed. Shame thick in my throat. Faced Louise. Swallowed hard. "I'm sorry." She wasn't done. "Did no one teach you to speak up?" My claws bit deep into my palms. I forced it out. "I'm SORRY!" Louise finally gave a smug little nod. Brian relaxed, like that was all it took, and walked her out to deal with her scratches. Before leaving, he glanced back. Voice soft, like he was handing out wisdom. "Mary, I spoiled you too long. Being Luna doesn't mean you get to push people around. Learn something from this." Door clicked shut. I dropped to the floor. Tears silent. Pulled a letter from under my pillow—ninety-eight. Lit a match. Watched it burn. Brian at sixteen flashed in my head—rosy cheeks, that goofy, nervous grin under the campus flower trees. "Mary Moonveil, will you be mine? I'll love you with my whole life." And all I felt was fear. That I'd forget that boy—the one who meant it. The flame died. Then the door slammed open. "What are you burning?" Brian growled.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

I gripped the half-burned letter. My palm still felt the heat. But my chest? Way worse. "Just trash," I muttered. "Burning garbage." Brian's eyes locked on the scorched edges. Something clicked behind them—recognition? Then came Louise's voice from outside. "Brian, are you coming or not? If you don't, I'm out!" He scooped me onto the bed, kissed my forehead like that fixed anything, and turned away. "She freaked out because of you. I'm dropping her home. I'll be back." He never came back. ** Days passed. No Brian. Servants whispered—he took Louise to the coast. Concerts. Beaches. All the places he once promised me. Said he was making it up to her. For me. Maybe they laughed. Maybe they kissed. Me? I burned with fever. Somewhere in the haze, I saw Mom—ghost-thin, fading fast. Whispering, "Find someone who loves you, Mary. For real." Tears slid down. 'Mom... I think I chose wrong.' * "Mary... Mary..." Brian's voice. I blinked awake—wasn't in bed. I was in a car, trees blurring past. His hands choked the wheel. Face stone cold. "Brian..." My chest tightened. "Where are we?" He didn't look over. "Louise got taken." My head throbbed. "So?" "They want to trade her... for you." A glance. "It's Philip." Philip Wildmoor. The name hit like claws iced over. The rogue who used to stalk me—until Brian drove him out. "You're trading me for Louise?" I was shaking. Brian's knuckles went bone-white. "He confessed to loving you. He won't hurt you." My wolf shattered. I lunged for the door—strapped. Wrists bound beneath the seatbelt. "Brian!" I screamed. "You've lost it! You KNOW what kind of monster Philip is!" "Calm down." He sighed, guilt in his eyes—but he didn't stop. "Once I get Louise back, I'll come right back for you." * He stopped in the woods. Rotting cabin ahead. "Philip! I brought Mary!" He dragged me out and shoved me forward. "Let her go!" Philip clapped, whistled. Two wolves dragged Louise out. Hair wrecked, face streaked—she saw Brian and broke. "Brian!" He bolted to her, hands flying over knots. "I got you," he whispered. "You're safe now." I just stood there. Frozen. Ice in my bones. He checked her like she was made of glass. Brushed away her tears like nothing else existed. It ripped out of me. I couldn't hold it anymore. "Brian!" That's when he finally looked my way. "Mary, don't be scared. I'll come back for you." Then he picked her up... and drove off. ** I ran. Didn't get far. Philip grabbed my wrist. "Mary Moonveil. Been a while." His breath hit my neck—I flinched. He threw me onto the bed. Cabin door slammed. "Brian's really something," he sneered. "Handing over a knockout like you." I fought hard. He pinned me harder. His hand brushed my cheek—voice slick, hungry. "You've been on my mind for years.""Let me go..." My voice cracked. "Don't touch me." He smiled, slow and twisted. "Fine. I'll be nice. Call Brian. If he picks up, you're free." I called. Once. Twice. A hundred times. Nothing. Philip leaned in. "Face it, Mary. To him, you're not even worth his side-chick. Come with me—I'll make you happy." Then he lunged. His hands ripped at my dress. Something snapped. I grabbed a vase and smashed it into his skull. He dropped with a groan. I ran. Rain hammered me. Bruised, soaked, I limped back to the mansion. Shoved the door open. Stopped cold. Louise was in Brian's arms, sobbing. "Brian, why? Why would you give up everything for me—even your Luna?" I froze. Brian chuckled, low. "Don't you get it by now? I thought I made it obvious." Louise was silent. Then her voice cut through. Steady. Cold. "I'll be with you. But only on one condition.""Say it," he said. "Anything.""I'm not your mistress," she said. "You want me? Sever the bond with Mary. Do it clean." Silence. I counted heartbeats. One. Two... Eighteen. "Alright." One word. It wrecked me. I slid down the wall. Couldn't stand. Something tore inside my chest—deep, raw. I wanted to scream. To cry. But nothing came. Just silence. Grief too deep for sound.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

I turned and walked off, rain drenching me like it was meant to erase me. No clue how long I ran—just stopped when my feet hit that old house. The one where Brian and I grew up. Twin mansions, side by side. Tight-knit families. I stepped under the old tree. Yeah... this was it. We buried a time capsule here at eighteen. Swore we'd dig it up ten years later. "Mary, by then, we'll definitely be married." Brian had grinned like a damn fool, shoving his letter into the metal box. "I told my future self to never stop loving you." I hit the dirt, digging with my bare hands. Didn't even flinch when my skin split. The box fought back—old, corroded—but I tore it loose. Cracked it open. His handwriting hit me like a punch: [To Brian Stormclaw, age 28—] [If you ever hurt Mary, I'll never forgive you.] [Remember—she's worth more than your life.] The rain smeared the ink, but the words still burned. I pressed the letter to my chest and cried until my voice gave out. I missed that teen wolf. The one who blushed writing love letters. The one who swore he'd protect me from the world. "He lied... he lied..." I whispered it into the wind. Just in case eighteen-year-old Brian could still hear me. When the storm finally gave up, I lit match number ninety-nine. The last love letter. Gone in flames. That sweet-eyed boy flickered in my mind— "Mary, this is letter ninety-nine. Be with me forever?" Now, all ninety-nine were ash. Gone. Time to leave. ** Back at the mansion, I packed like a ghost. Brian's laptop glowed on his desk—message thread open, blinking. [Alpha, is it true you're getting with Louise? But she wants you to sever the mate bond with Mary?] [Don't be dumb. Louise is fine as a side thing, but Mary's been yours since you were pups—she's your Luna.] [Yeah. If you do this, she'll be wrecked. You'll lose her for good.] I froze, watching the thread scroll. Then his reply popped up: [Of course I won't give up Mary. She's the love of my life. But right now, I just wanna have fun with Louise.] Silence. Then chaos. [Wait—you're actually thinking of severing the mate bond?] [Alpha, don't do this. If you file, there's no going back.] [No need. Here's the play: draft a severance pact, tell her it's a property transfer. She trusts you—won't even read it.] [Keep her clueless, keep her close. When you're done with Louise, cancel the whole thing.] The thread lit up with praise. And Brian? [Great idea.] I closed the laptop slow. My whole body went numb. To Brian, I wasn't even worth the truth. * Next morning, Brian showed up—gorgeous as ever. Folder in hand. "Mary," he said, casual. "Sign this. I'm transferring the eastern estate to you." I stared at him. This was the same wolf who used to snarl at anyone who looked at me wrong. Who kneeled in snow just to propose? I didn't recognize him anymore. "Alright," I said. Played dumb. Took the pen. Signed his little trick without blinking. He exhaled. Relieved. "I've got a trip coming up. Be good while I'm gone." He turned, didn't even glance back. "Brian." He paused. "Yeah?" "Nothing. Just... wish you the best." ** Soon as he was gone, I marched to the Mate Bond Registry. The clerk double-checked. "Are you sure you want to process this mate bond severance? It's final. No take-backs.""I'm sure." The stamp slammed down. I breathed easy for the first time in years. So this was what letting go really felt like. Not heartbreak. Not rage. It felt like pulling a rotted tooth. The airport buzzed. I clutched my one-way ticket, checked my phone one last time. Brian's friend had posted a pic—him and Louise at the terminal, vacation tickets in hand. [Congrats to Alpha Brian for finally winning over the beauty!] I powered off my phone. Snapped the SIM card in half. And walked toward the gate. Congrats to me, too. I was finally free. Fully alive.