Chapter 1I was getting mated tomorrow.
But the wolf I'd been with for eight years had no idea.
Lately, he'd been obsessed with his new executive assistant.
They clicked the moment she stepped into the pack's HQ. Nonstop chats. Laughter at 2 a.m.
For her birthday, he special-ordered a three-tiered cake from a high-end bakery.
At the party, they smeared frosting on each other's faces.
He completely forgot my severe dairy allergy.
That night ended with me in the pack hospital.
When I woke up, I agreed to the arranged mating my parents had proposed.
Mom didn't waste time.
Just as I was about to unlock the apartment door after returning from the hospital, she bombarded my phone with mating ceremony packages.
As I scrolled, her last message stopped me cold.
[I always knew you and Martin wouldn't last. If he truly wanted to claim you, why would he string you along for eight years? Better to realize it now than never. I've already set everything up. The mating ceremony is in three days.]
[Take your time packing. No need to rush.]
Apparently, everyone else had seen what I'd been blind to.
But I'd been caught in Martin's web of empty promises, unable to break free.
With a tired sigh, I sent her a voice message.
"Mom, pick whatever you think is best. They all look fine. Just keep it simple."
I didn't notice Martin approaching from behind.
He caught the word "mating" and frowned.
"Mating? What mating?"
Just as he tried to peek at my screen, I quickly pocketed my phone. He reached for it -
But his own phone rang.
The night was so quiet I heard the panicked female voice on the other end clearly.
"Martin, I just went downstairs to grab something from my car, and I think someone's following me! I'm really freaked out. I've walked around the block twice, but they're still there!"
Martin's expression instantly transformed into one of concern.
His wolf stirred behind his eyes.
"Lillie, stay calm. Find a well-lit area. Front desk has security. Wait there - I'm on my way!"
He hung up.
Forgot the mating conversation completely.
Didn't look back.
Without a second glance, just ran into the dark and left me standing there.
I kept my face neutral.
After he left, I called my aunt to say goodbye.
My parents moved to Boston ten years ago for pack's expansion.
Since then, I'd been living with my aunt in Chicago ever since.
Martin lived in the adjacent townhouse - that's how we met.
When my aunt remated and sold her place to move in with her new mate, I didn't want to impose on their newlywed life.
So I temporarily moved in with Martin.
"Temporary" lasted eight years.
When Aunt Ramona heard I was leaving to get mated, she was shocked.
"Mating ceremony? With Martin? Well, it's about time, finally - after eight years!"
I pressed my lips together.
"No. It's arranged mating. I don't know him."
She fell silent for a moment before asking slowly, "Have you really thought this through? I mean, Martin clearly cares about you. I just don't understand why he hasn't claimed you as his mate. Maybe I should talk to him?"
I gave a small, empty smile.
"Don't bother. We were never official. Just eight years of this undefined thing between us. If I don't end it now, I'll waste my entire youth - and my wolf's patience."
Aunt Ramona was stunned to learn we'd lived together for eight years without ever sealing a mate bond.
She didn't push further and said she'd support whatever I decided.
Before bed, I set a three-day countdown on my phone.
The next day, I asked Mom to send local specialties to my aunt -
A thank-you for ten years of care. A farewell gift.
That evening, a delivery truck arrived.
I gave the driver directions to my aunt's house, but I didn't expect to run into Martin downstairs.
Chapter 2
Lillie's petite figure trailed right behind Martin.
Both of them lugged bags from Whole Foods.
They looked exactly like a young pair of wolves settling into their first den together.
My wolf went quiet. Too quiet.
Just then, Aunt Ramona came down to greet me and caught the scene.
Her mouth opened, but I cut her off.
"Mom sent care packages from Boston. Check the expiration dates - she goes overboard."
I deliberately avoided looking at Martin.
But this time, he actually took the initiative to explain.
"Daphne, it's not what you think. Lillie's old neighborhood had safety issues, so I helped her find a new place. Had no idea your aunt lived here too. What's with all these boxes?"
I kept directing the delivery driver, my voice flat.
"You don't need to explain your work relationships to me. Mom went crazy shopping. Not sure when we'll be back this way."
Seeing I hadn't jumped down his throat, Martin relaxed.
His wolf probably stopped pacing too.
"That's fine. Back Bay isn't far from downtown. Just let me know whenever you want to visit."
He still had no clue I was moving back to Boston for good.
I wasn't about to tell him.
Aunt Ramona looked like she wanted to say something.
But then she watched how closely Martin hovered around Lillie, and her expression darkened.
The four of us stood there in uncomfortable silence.
Until Lillie - faking exhaustion - finally broke it.
Martin immediately told the delivery driver to pause.
"We have fewer items. We'll take the elevator first."
I glanced at their grocery bags and stepped aside.
No point in fighting it.
Martin looked momentarily surprised, then hurried into the elevator.
As the doors closed, I couldn't help it.
I saw my old self in Lillie.
When Aunt Ramona first moved out, Martin had been just like this with me.
Running errands. Handling every detail.
Moving my things into his den with that bright smile, calling me his future Luna.
His future mate.
That's what he used to say.
The elevator climbed.
Aunt Ramona sighed heavily.
"Are you sure you don't want me to talk to him? You've known each other forever. It'd be a shame to throw it all away over a misunderstanding."
I shook my head.
"There's no misunderstanding, Auntie. Martin never lets those linger overnight. If he hasn't explained himself by now..."
My wolf let out a low whine inside my chest. I swallowed it down.
"That tells me everything I need to know."
Martin and Lillie really didn't have that much to carry.
They could've done it in one trip easily.
But even after I finished delivering everything to my aunt's place and said my goodbyes, they were still nowhere to be seen downstairs.
Out of courtesy - nothing more - I pulled out my phone and texted him.
When are you coming back?
Almost immediately, he replied with a voice message.
I played it.
Lillie's sweet voice came through.
"Daphne, Martin's helping me set up my WiFi and smart home system. The place is brand new, so there's a lot to configure. You should head home - don't wait around on our account!"
My wolf's ears flattened.
Just as I was about to close the app and order an Uber, she sent another message.
"Oh, and Daphne? Please don't read too much into this. Martin's just being helpful because he feels bad I'm all alone in a new city."
I thought of my own parents.
Moved away years ago. Left me here.
I swallowed the growl rising in my throat and closed the chat.
In the Uber, staring blankly at the Chicago skyline, my phone rang.
Martin.
"Daphne, what's with the attitude toward Lillie? She's my employee, and I'm just helping her get settled. Pack housing isn't ready yet - isn't it normal for me to help out?"
His voice was sharp.
"Since when did you become so petty? At her birthday party, you claimed you weren't feeling well and wanted to leave early. I let that slide, and now you're causing drama again?"
I heard Lillie's soft sobs in the background. Her wolfish whimpers.
Nothing like the sweet, innocent junior employee Martin had described.
I took a deep breath. My own wolf wanted to snap back, to defend our honor.
But I was too tired. Too empty.
"You're right. My bad. I was just asking. Don't worry about it - I'm already heading home. Don't rush back on my account."
Chapter 3
Martin's questioning tone died in his throat at my cool response.
I ended the call just as the Uber pulled up to my building.
My wolf let out a shaky breath inside me. She was tired of fighting too.
After I got out, I noticed a flood of notifications from Martin's company Slack channel.
Ninety-nine plus unread messages.
Pinned at the top was a photo Lillie had posted.
Martin, setting up her smart home system.
Who else has such an amazing boss? she wrote.
I'd sign a lifetime contract with Larkin Tech in a heartbeat! #BestBossEver
Below her post, other wolves from the pack - I mean, employees - chimed in.
Never seen the boss like this before. Didn't Janet from Facilities say he's a total neat freak? Not looking so OCD now!
OMG, he looks so hot in casual clothes! Officially crushing on Mr. Larkin! Back off ladies! ?
Posted by the future Mrs. Larkin herself. Give up those Luna dreams, girls - stick to your KPIs!
My wolf bared her teeth.
Before Lillie joined, I used to help Martin with all these tasks.
No expectations. No thanks needed.
But after she took over my unofficial role, I'd forgotten to leave the channel.
I read through the thread one last time.
Then I cleared my notification history and left the workspace for good.
My wolf didn't even whine.
She was as done as I was.
Now that I'd made my decision to move on, seeing this preview of their life together didn't sting as much as I'd expected.
I remembered my early days at Larkin Tech after graduation.
Martin used to share snippets of my work in the company channels all the time.
Sneaking photos of me making his morning cold brew.
Or updating the dev team's sprint board.
Everyone in the pack - sorry, office - could see how much he liked me.
His attention made even the mundane workday special.
His affection brought life to the usually dry company chat.
My wolf used to preen under that attention.
She thought we'd found our mate.
But everything changed when Lillie entered the picture.
She took over all my unofficial duties.
And Martin banned any mention of me in the channels.
He seemed drawn to her. Openly and subtly.
Like his wolf had shifted its focus without warning.
One of my former teammates - someone close to me - once made a harmless comment.
Said Lillie wasn't as efficient as I had been.
Martin rescinded her annual bonus on the spot.
Later, I quietly transferred her ten grand.
Hoping to stop her from rage-quitting.
My wolf was ashamed that I had to clean up his mess.
When I returned to the place I'd called home for eight years -
But never truly belonged to -
I started packing my things.
My gaze fell on a thick photo album.
Filled with memories from the past decade.
I sat on the edge of my bed and opened it.
Flipped through each page.
Every photo represented a gift Martin had given me.
Eight years ago, he told me he'd give me 9,999 surprises before we walked down the aisle together.
Before he claimed me as his mate in front of both packs.
He wanted to win my heart with sincerity, he said.
So I'd willingly become his Luna.
The album was custom-made to hold exactly 9,999 photos.
Now it had just one blank page left.
But in the end, it was all meaningless.
My wolf let out a low, mournful sound.
I took the album down to a quiet corner of the building's courtyard.
Lit a match.
Set it ablaze.
I watched as each photo caught fire, turning slowly to ash.
Cremating the last eight years of my life with it.
My wolf sat silently inside me.
No protest. No attempt to stop me.
Just a quiet agreement.
Let it burn.
Martin arrived to find me standing over the flames.
His face went ashen.
He rushed forward, pushing me aside, trying to salvage what he could.
But the fire was too intense. He couldn't reach in.
Within seconds, his hands were red from the heat.
Furious, he stomped on the burning album, trying to snuff out the flames as they devoured each photo.
"What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind?"
His voice cracked. His wolf was raging behind his eyes.
"All our memories - gone because of you!"
