Chapter 1

At our thirteenth engagement party, Leah, Logan’s adopted sister, locked me in the restroom while she paraded around in the gown for my bonding ceremony, clinging to his arm like his shy, glowing mate.

Bitterness scorched my throat. “You two make quite the couple.”

The next moment, I was slapped. Fire flared across my cheek.

Sylvia, Logan’s mother, Luna of Stoneclaw Pack, who’d never accepted me, stood there, eyes blazing.

“How dare you speak such filth? Outsiders will think we are committing some unspeakable sin! How can you even imply that?”

Before giving me a chance to speak, she continued.

“Leah has severe pup dependency anxiety! Only being near her brother calms her. She merely tried on your dress! And you, our future Luna, show no sympathy? Accusing your future sister-in-law of wrongdoing?”

Then, without missing a beat, she turned to Logan and continued her tirade:

“I’ve told you a hundred times, a human can’t understand the sacred bonds of werewolves! Bonding her will humiliate us in the Stoneclaw Pack!”

Logan’s brow furrowed. His gaze was heavy and tired. Slowly, his eyes found mine.

He sighed. “Alison, I thought you were finally learning patience. Why do you react like this? It’s just a dress. Let her wear it. Does it truly matter who stands where? Our names will soon be written in the pack register as mates and sealed by the moonlight bond. Why do you have to punish a sick girl?”

He glanced at me, dismissively, like I was the problem here, then continued:

“Apologize to my mother and Leah. Next time, I’ll make sure everything’s perfect.”

I swallowed the bitterness clawing up my throat and gave him a hollow smile.

Thirteen times. Thirteen broken promises. I was so, so tired.

“No,” I said softly, but firm. “This ends now.”

Their faces froze.

Logan blinked. “What did you say?”

Before he could continue, Leah clutched the hem of the torn gown, her voice trembling.

“Logan… did I ruin it again? I’m sorry. I just wanted a memory before you forget me after the moonlight bond…”

Another performance. Another guilt trip.

My voice cut through it.

“No need for that. You can keep Logan to yourself.”

Sylvia’s hand raised up again to slap me, but I was expecting it and stepped back. I was cold in my resolution to never allow that again. No more silence. No more suffering.

She overreached, which caused her to nearly stumble. Fury was twisting her features when she failed to slap me.

Logan’s voice turned cold at the scene. “Leah was kidnapped, saving me as a child. That’s why she’s like this. Why can’t you show even a shred of empathy?”

He turned to face me fully, his tone final. “If you don't want us to bond, fine. We’ll wait. But remember, you’re the one in a rush. Not me.”

My heart sank.

He knew my mother was dying, the cursed black thorns spreading through her body.

And still, he used her suffering as leverage.

I turned and walked away before they saw my tears.

Back at the forest cabin, I stood by the window, watching my mother struggle to walk with the support of Mara, her caregiver.

“Madam,” Mara whispered, “why do you push yourself? I am sure you are in pain. Making so much effort to just show up at the bonding ceremony isn’t worth this.”

Mother smiled through it, gentle and warm. “It’s not about the pain, it’s about the purpose. I promised her father I’d see her happiest day. I’ve waited so long. This body can hold out a little longer.”

Tears blurred my vision as I heard my mother say that.

My father, a great werewolf warrior, had died shielding some big shots during the Purge against werewolves.

My mother, a human, was cursed that night, untouchable black thorns planted under her skin ever since.

Yet she endured it for me.

I wiped my tears, forced a smile, and entered the room.

Mara slipped away silently.

Mother’s eyes brightened when she saw me. “How did it go?”

I steadied my voice. “Perfectly. If all goes well, we’ll hold the ceremony at the next full moon.”

She exhaled in relief, and just as I thought everything was peaceful, a voice broke through the doorway.

Leah stood there, tears streaming down her face.

“Mrs. Hart, I’m so sorry… my illness acted up again. I ruined Alison and my brother’s engagement…”