My Alpha’s Broken Promise, Now Mine

My mate postponed our mating ceremony for the 17th time. I accepted it calmly, but he pulled me close, trying to read my thoughts.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

I pushed Ryker away without thinking.

It was an ultimatum from the Pack Elders. “Aurora, your resignation as Head Healer is in its final stage. Once confirmed, all your pack privileges will be permanently revoked. Are you sure?”

I hit the side button, the screen going dark.

“You’re acting strange today.” Ryker realized I’d pushed him. A flicker of panic crossed his face. “You didn’t even ask me why I postponed.”

I took a sip of water. I didn’t answer.

Did I need to ask? The answer was always the same.

Chloe.

For six months, it was the same show. Played seventeen times.

The first time, Chloe had just awakened her wolf. Her wolf was unstable after her first shift. I stood at the sacred ceremonial site in a thin dress. The entire pack watched me wait from dawn until midnight.

My mate spent the entire night holding her. Calming her down.

The second time, Chloe pretended to lose control during combat training. Ryker was driving me to the ceremony. He left me stranded on a deserted road without a second thought. He turned around to save her.

Seventeen times.

Every time, I was the joke. The supporting act.

Always put on hold. Always abandoned.

My calmness made Ryker uneasy.

He dropped his hands, a pleasing tone creeping into his voice that even he didn’t notice. “I know I hurt you lately. I promise, this is the last time I make an exception for her.”

He placed his hands on my shoulders, his voice soft and confident as he laid out his offer.

“Next month, I’ll throw you the grandest ceremony the North has ever seen! I’ll invite all the top Alphas. I want the entire continent to know that you, Aurora, are the only Luna I will ever claim.”

His eyes were full of expectation.

He thought a big party could fix this. Fix my ruined dignity. Seventeen times.

He thought a few sweet words would make me smile. Just like always.

I looked at his handsome, clueless face. It was pathetic.

I took a step back, out of his reach.

“Ryker, maybe we should just—”

The words “go our separate ways” were on the tip of my tongue.

But Ryker froze.

I knew what that meant. Chloe was mind-linking him again. Begging for help.

His Alpha protectiveness flared.

He looked at me, the mask of devotion cracking. His face was torn. “Aurora… Chloe’s wolf is unstable again. I have to go—”

“Go.” I cut him off with a smile, stepping aside to clear his path.

Ryker stared.

He must have expected me to scream. To use our bond to force him to stay. He never expected me to smile.

His eyes darted around, that strange panic rising in him again. He was losing control of the situation.

But he had no time to think. Chloe’s second, desperate message screamed through his mind.

“You’ve always been the most understanding mate.”

He used the words to convince himself. Relief washed over his face. He rushed forward and planted a quick kiss on my forehead.

“Wait for me. I’ll be back to spend the night with you!”

He grabbed his car keys and sprinted for the door, shouting over his shoulder, “I’ll bring you back that moonstone bracelet you love! To make up for tonight!”

Bang.

The door slammed shut. The roar of his sports car engine faded into the distance.

I turned and poured my water into the sink.

I stood there for a moment, scrubbing at the spot on my forehead he had kissed.

A bracelet? He forgot. How many times had he used that same pathetic excuse?

Or maybe he just couldn’t be bothered to remember. After my mother died, I never wore bracelets again.

The house was dead silent.

I took out my phone, opened the chat with the Elder, and typed.

“I’m sure. Make it effective immediately.”

I hit send and stared at the closed front door. My heart was a frozen lake.

I should have let go of this fated bond a long time ago.