When the Lights Go

For the 98th time, Darren skipped our Luna crowning ceremony.

He was too busy basking in the glory of his 999th battle victory at a party thrown by his childhood friend, Betty.

The whole place was buzzing with excitement, with everyone nudging Darren to make his move and officially mark Betty.

"Darren and Betty, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! Time to make it official with a Luna crowning!"

"Can't mark her? At least steal a kiss, dude!"

The crowd was cheering for them as they laughed away.

There I was, Darren's destined Luna, tucked away in a shadowy corner, watching him lock lips with Betty to a chorus of cheers.

Inside, my inner wolf was throwing a fit, and my head throbbed with a pain that came out of nowhere.

I snuck out early from the party, not wanting anyone to catch on to what Darren and I really were to each other. I waited by the curb, only to be greeted by the sting of betrayal.

A wave of agony hit me like a freight train. I just knew Darren had slept with Betty again.

Three hours later, he pulled up next to me like it was any other day, casually wiping away the lipstick from his lips.

"Gotta drop Betty off. You'll have to find your own way back."

Betty was sprawled out, asleep and undressed, in the front seat. I bit my tongue, holding back words that would not change a thing.

Darren was a guy who could not stand a speck of dirt. He would not even let me in his car if I broke a sweat.

Once, when he had ticked off another pack's Alpha, I waited on the Alpha hand and foot all day to keep him out of hot water, yet there he was, giving me that look of pure disgust.

"I can't stand your smell. Just get yourself home."

Last time, it was a six-hour trek in heels.

However, Darren was fine with another Omega in his seat, and the car was filled with a scent that should have turned his stomach.

'Doesn't that bother him at all?' I wondered, feeling the weight of my broken heart.

It turned out that Darren's obsession with cleanliness only kicked in when he was around me.

I could still feel the dull pain of the wolf inside, but I managed to smile at Darren weakly. "Is the Luna crowning ceremony still on for tomorrow?"

He froze for a second before replying, "I don't have the time. I won't make it home today. Don't sweat it. I'll make sure your crowning ceremony happens."

I gave a small nod and handed him a pile of papers. "Sign this, will you?"

Without even glancing at it, Darren scribbled his name.

'He trusts me that much, huh?' I mused silently.

Glancing down at the blood trickling down my leg, I could not help but snort at my own misery.

Darren looked guilty, and after a moment of thought, he promised, "I'll bring you your favorite roses when I get back tomorrow."

With that, he zoomed off in his car.

Holding the mate contract release form in my hands, I let out a relieved breath.

All that was left was a visit to the Moon Goddess Temple to take an oath, and then Darren and I would be done for good.

It was not until noon the next day that Darren finally showed up.

He peeled off his lipstick-stained shirt and eyed me sitting on the bed's edge.

"What was that paper you had me sign yesterday?" he asked.

I calmly replied, "A form to dissolve our mate contract."

He paused, then chuckled, "You're kidding, right? You can't live without me."

He moved to hug me, saying, "Claire, don't go. I'd be lost without you."

I inhaled Betty's scent drifting from him and fought back the fury of my inner wolf, staying silent.

After five years of chasing and three years of being mated together, it was the end of the road for Darren and me.