Chapter 1

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.