When the Lights Go

"I kept it hidden from the entire Moonshadow Pack — the private mate contract I signed with Darren, the current Alpha.Every time he rushed off to spend the heat season with his Omega childhood sweetheart, the wolf inside me howled in agony, tearing itself apart.Every time, he would whisper his empty promises, "Once she's stable, we'll hold the Luna crowning ceremony."For three years, he made that promise ninety-nine times — and skipped the ceremony ninety-nine times.The first time, her wolf died unexpectedly, and he claimed the Moon Goddess had forbidden the ceremony.The second time, her heat struck suddenly, and he abandoned me, throwing himself into her bed.After that, every time there was supposed to be a ceremony, something happened to her — and somehow, he was always right there by her side.Every time, I broke down, screaming, drowning in heartbreak.However, he always looked down on me, his voice calm, detached: "She's just a temporary mate for physical needs. You should understand."After the ninety-ninth broken promise, the wolf inside me finally went silent.I placed a "Mate Contract Termination Application" on his desk."From now on, in the eyes of the Moon Goddess, I'm no longer yours in any way.""