Chapter 1

Before our marking ceremony, my fated mate changed the name on the Moonlight Tree.

On the day of the ceremony, I walked toward the new mate Leon Parker chose for me, but he regretted it.

…

Mom asked, "Madison Lachlan, have you really thought this through? Cillian Parker can't even look after himself because of his legs, while Leon is not only your fated mate but also the future Alpha of Moonshore Pack."

I cut Mom off. "I've made up my mind. Leon and Cillian are blood brothers who both carry Alpha bloodlines. Since Leon doesn't want me, why should I humiliate myself?"

The Moonlight Tree was sacred to all werewolves. Every mated pair carved their names into the bark, symbolizing that the Moon Goddess blessed their bond. This tradition was passed down through generations and became a solemn, sacred ritual.

I never imagined Leon would treat my marking ceremony like some kind of game.

I pressed my hand tightly over my mouth to keep myself from crying. I waited five years for Leon, wasting my entire youth on him.

From the moment I first saw him at 17, I was completely devoted to him. I even risked my life to save him when rogues surrounded him, fighting them off desperately before falling into a patch of wolfsbane and nearly dying.

Though I was eventually rescued, I suffered severe complications afterward. My head would throb with terrible pain at random times, and I could only manage it with medication.

When I found out I was going to be bonded to Leon through the marking ceremony, I was so excited that I could not sleep the entire night.

I really thought I was finally getting my happy ending.

However, Leon kept canceling our marking ceremony over and over again for different reasons. Every single one of those reasons involved the same person: Susie Burton.

The first time was because Susie sprained her ankle. Leon did not say a word before abandoning me and all our guests to rush her to the hospital.

The second time was because Susie thought her bridesmaid dress was ugly and threw a tantrum at home. So, Leon canceled the marking ceremony again to have a custom dress made for her.

It went on and on until now, the 52nd time.

At first, pack members felt sorry for me. However, as the cancellations kept happening, everyone started thinking it was my fault.

They said I was cruel and vicious, which was why Leon despised me.

They said I was unfaithful and meeting other men in secret, which was why Leon refused to hold the ceremony with me.

Rumors spread like wildfire, and the gossip got so bad that I was afraid to leave the house.

I asked Leon to set the record straight.

Yet, Leon just patted my head and said soothingly, "Don't worry about what they say. As long as I know you're not that kind of person, that's all that matters."

At first, his words moved me. Later, I discovered that Leon himself started those rumors. He wanted to shift everyone's attention to me so they would not go after Susie.

Each betrayal tore me apart a little more until my heart was left in ruins.

I thought, 'Leon, I don't have any more time to waste on you.'