My Alpha's 52nd "No"

I'm supposed to be Kyle Thornwood's Luna. But for the past five years, he has abandoned 52 of our marking ceremonies, proving to the Moon Goddess that he doesn't deserve me.

The first time, Elara Bennett—the Omega he took in—gets lost during a hunt. He cuts the ceremony short to find her, leaving me alone on the ritual altar while our bond unravels into nothing.

The second time, right in the middle of negotiations with a rival pack, he senses through the mind-link that someone is bothering Elara. He drops everything and runs back, leaving me to face a room full of hostile wolves alone.

After that, it doesn't matter which full moon I choose. Elara always has some crisis that needs him. She gets hurt during training, other wolves pick on her, or she has a bad dream.

Eventually, something inside me breaks. I decide to sever this so-called destined mate bond for good.

The day I leave the Graywolf pack, Kyle loses it completely. He tracks my scent everywhere, clinging to whatever is left of our connection.

Today marked the 52nd time Kyle Thornwood and I tried to complete our marking ceremony. This time I didn't invite any outsiders. The only witnesses were the most trusted members of our families.

I pushed through the claw wounds from our last battle, personally checking every detail of the ceremony site while he couldn't be bothered to focus.

Right now, inside the Alpha's tent, he was using his power to soothe Elara Bennett, who had "accidentally" twisted her ankle. Omegas were always so delicate.

My family's warriors watched the scene with cold expressions. One of the elders murmured to me, "Princess Layla, just look at him. When has he ever respected the honor of the Silvermoon royal bloodline?"

Everyone knew how important this ceremony was for us. It was the union of two packs, the binding of our souls.

But just as the moon reached its peak and the ceremony was about to begin, Kyle, who should have been standing beside me, chose to abandon it. Again.

I chased after him, but he stopped me.

"Elara's injury is serious. I have to take her to the healer myself. Let's cancel this ceremony. Next time, I promise. We'll finish it for sure."

Without waiting for my response, he pried my hand away. He gathered Elara into his arms, shifted into his wolf, and vanished into the night.

Five years together, and this was the 52nd time he'd betrayed our vows to the Moon Goddess for another she-wolf.

In the past, I would have screamed at him through the mind-link. But this time, I just stood there calmly and chuckled softly.

"It's fine. Omegas are more fragile, after all."

Kyle hesitated, surprised by my understanding. "I'm glad you understand. I'll bring you your favorite roasted deer heart tonight."

I hummed in reply and watched him disappear. The smile on my face turned ice cold.

He'd forgotten that I never ate deer heart. It was forbidden in my bloodline. The one who loved roasted deer heart wasn't me.

He'd brought it once before. I forced down a bite, fighting nausea, before telling him my bloodline rejected this kind of meat. He had sworn he'd never forget.

One year. That was how long his "never" lasted.

I laughed bitterly and turned back to the altar. In front of everyone, I pulled out the ceremonial dagger and cut through the moonvine bracelet on my wrist, the one that marked us as intended mates.

These five years had gone on long enough.