Chapter 1

Aria's POV

I handed Ethan the wine mixed with Moonbreak Herb while he was busy sweet-talking his 99th bed partner.

"Ethan, let's break the mate bond. In thirty days, once the Moonbreak Herb takes effect, I'll leave Blood Moon Pack, and we'll be done for good."

He hummed in response and took the glass without even looking at it. He downed it in one gulp and went right back to coaxing the little omega on the phone.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming over to see you right now, alright?"

After he cut the mind link, Ethan headed for the door, but then he suddenly turned back. "Oh, Aria, what was that you just gave me to drink?"

I forced a smile. "Moonbreak—"

Ethan waved his hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. I need to go see Lily now. I'll come back and have dinner with you next time."

Then he left.

I still remember the first time we met at Howling Bar. I was there to pick up a friend, and I happened to catch Ethan stumbling drunk. He looked up at me once, and that was it—he fell for me.

I knew he was a playboy, so I turned him down right away. But as he kept pursuing me, my heart slowly gave in.

After we made it official, he stopped sleeping around and stayed by my side. I thought he'd changed, so when he suggested marking me as his mate, I agreed.

Not long after we bonded, he started hooking up with other she-wolves every few days.

We fought endlessly. Countless times, I stood in our wrecked living room screaming myself hoarse while he pinched the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted.

Finally, he came up with the idea of "playing the field separately until we're both ready to settle down."

He said, "Aria, I love you, but being with just one person forever gets boring. Let's each do our own thing, but we can't catch real feelings for anyone else. When we're done playing around, we'll come back and be a real family, okay?"

I refused to agree, but he didn't care. He kept doing whatever he wanted.

Slowly, I broke down too, and I found a young wolf named Cameron.

At first, I just wanted to spite Ethan. But Cameron was gentle with me. He showed up whenever I needed him most. When I got hurt, his eyes would turn red, and he'd stay by my side, going with me to every follow-up appointment.

Over time, he healed my shattered heart piece by piece.

I considered giving him territory or money, but he didn't want either of them. He only wanted one thing—to be official. "Aria, break the bond with him and give me a chance."

The young wolf's eyes were full of love, clear and bright, reflecting back a whole version of me.

In that moment, I suddenly understood. What had I been doing all these years, tearing myself apart over Ethan?

So I agreed.

I promised Cameron I'd make it official with him and end this mate bond with Ethan once and for all.