99 Betrayals, One Broken Bond

"Kaelen, I saw this house downtown. You'll give it to me, won't you?"

I slid the file across the table, my voice perfectly level.

I knew he wouldn't say no.

Sure enough, a small smile played on Kaelen's lips. He looked like he was in a great mood as he picked up the pen and signed his name, without even glancing at the pages inside.

But I knew his good mood had nothing to do with me. I'd already glimpsed the text on his phone:

"Kaelen, my treatment is over. I'm coming home next week. —Eileen"

The wolf inside me shivered, but the usual searing pain was gone.

She was tired. Just like me.

"A house downtown?" Kaelen finally focused on me, a smile on his lips. "Avril, you must be the richest Luna in all the packs by now. I've given you, what, sixty-something villas and manors in prime locations..."

I just smiled faintly, saying nothing.

He'd lost count himself. It was a hundred.

Kaelen stood up and wrapped his arms around me from behind, just like he used to, kissing the top of my head. "But you're my mate. There's nothing I wouldn't give you."

The irony was a bitter taste in my mouth.

A month ago, those words would have moved me to tears.

Before I knew the truth behind the hundred houses.

Five years ago, the Moon Goddess guided me to my fated mate, Kaelen.

But I didn't believe in fate.

It was Kaelen who pursued me ninety-nine times. I rejected him ninety-nine times.

The one-hundredth time, he knelt in the moonlight and said, "Avril, just give me a chance."

I gave in.

I thought the Moon Goddess's blessing was unbreakable. I thought the fated mate bond could withstand anything.

Until a month ago, the day he gave me the ninety-ninth house. That was the day I got the photo from his ex, Eileen.

In the picture, Kaelen was asleep beside her, completely unguarded.

"Did he tell you he had pack business last night? The truth is, I told him I wasn't feeling well, and he came running. ;)"

Every single house corresponded to a night he'd spent with her.

The first house was three months after our Mating Ceremony. He missed my birthday to fly out and watch fireworks with her.

The second house was on our anniversary. He was busy taking care of Eileen at her hospital bedside.

...

The ninety-ninth house...

Kaelen pursued me ninety-nine times, and he betrayed me ninety-nine times.

I guess that makes us even.

So I asked for the one-hundredth house myself. And tucked inside the property transfer, I’d placed our bond dissolution papers.

Kaelen, lost in the joy of Eileen's imminent return, never even noticed.

"Honey," Kaelen's breath was warm against my ear. "Your birthday is in a few days. I'll throw you a huge party. We can show everyone how happy we are, okay?"

A birthday party?

I remembered him saying the same thing last year, only to bail at the last minute because of "urgent business."

That time, I couldn't hide my disappointment. I grabbed his sleeve, begging him to stay.

All I got was a cold look and a disappointed tone. "Avril, you're the Luna of this pack. Stop being childish."

Maybe that was the moment I started to stop trusting his promises.

I slipped out of his embrace. "Okay."

"But if you're busy that day, it's fine too."

This was the first time I'd ever been so... understanding. He froze, looking at me with confusion. "You're in a good mood today?"

"Mhm," I nodded. "A very good mood. I got another house. Of course I'm happy."

Kaelen's frown relaxed into a fond smile. "As long as you're happy."

I didn't want to play this game anymore. I took the signed agreement and turned to leave.

Now, all I had to do was wait.

Wait for the full moon in one month, when the agreement would be sealed under the Moon Goddess's watch. And then, Kaelen and I would be nothing to each other.