"Alpha Ethan, Luna Sophia, are you certain you wish to dissolve your mate bond?" Elder Grace's voice was grave. "This decision cannot be undone."

I stood before the Elders' altar and nodded calmly. "I'm sure."

Ethan stood beside me, his expression a mess. On the way over, he'd suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Sophia, do we really have to go through with this?" There was a hint of panic in his voice. "Maybe we can reconsider..."

"Didn't you lose your connection to me?" I shot back. "Breaking the bond should be a relief for you."

He faltered for a moment, then quickly smoothed his expression. "Right... yes. I'm just worried you'll have a hard time adjusting."

Such a terrible actor.

And now, in front of the Elder, he was putting on another show of trying to get me to stay.

"Sophia, do you remember our mating ceremony?" Ethan stared into my eyes. "That night, under the moonlight, we promised to be together forever..."

"Of course, I remember," I cut him off. "And I also remember what you told my father."

Ethan's expression soured. "What?"

"You said, 'This union will really help me become Alpha. Sophia's family name and her healing skills will help me secure my position.'" I repeated, word for word. "You thought I didn't know?"

Elder Grace looked at Ethan, a flash of disappointment in her eyes.

"That... that was..." Ethan stammered.

"The truth," I finished for him. "So now you've found someone better, right?"

Ethan opened his mouth to argue, but I'd already turned to Elder Grace.

"Please, let's begin the ceremony."

The ceremony went smoothly.

When the last ray of moonlight faded, I felt the tightness in my chest completely vanish. Five years of a mate bond, gone just like that.

"The ritual is complete," Elder Grace announced. "From this moment on, you are no longer mates."

When I walked out of the Elders' Hall, Vivian was already waiting. She was wearing a red evening gown, like she was dressed for a party.

"Finally!" She excitedly looped her arm through Ethan's. "Now we can plan our mating ceremony!"

Then she turned to me, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Sophia, when are you moving out of the pack house? I need to redecorate the Luna's suite."

"Tomorrow," I said simply.

"Tomorrow? Perfect!" Vivian clapped her hands. "I've already hired a designer. We're getting rid of all that tacky old furniture."

That "tacky old furniture" was stuff I'd spent three years picking out. Every piece meant something special.

But now, it was all going to be tossed out.

"Vivian's right," Ethan chimed in. "The new Luna needs a fresh start. Sophia, if you need help moving..."

"I don't," I said, turning to leave.

"Wait!" Ethan hurried after me, pulling a necklace from his pocket. "Here... take this back."

I looked at the necklace—the "gift" he'd given me for our mating ceremony.

Platinum chain, moon-shaped pendant. It looked delicate and pretty.

I took the necklace and looked at it closely in the light.

"Ethan," I looked up at him. "This is silver-plated. It's not platinum."

He went pale. "What?"

"And this 'diamond'? It's a cubic zirconia," I scoffed. "Worth, what, fifty bucks? This is what you give your mate as a bonding gift?"

Ethan opened his mouth to explain, but I'd already dropped the necklace on the ground.

"Fake bond, fake necklace. A perfect match."

I walked to my car without a backward glance.

From my car, I saw Ethan and Vivian arguing in the rearview mirror.

I rolled down my window and heard them talking.

"How did she know the necklace was fake?" Vivian demanded.

"Who knows," Ethan said, annoyed. "Doesn't matter. The bond's broken now anyway."

"But she looked really pissed off..."

"Relax, Sophia's easy," Ethan said confidently. "Once she cools down, I'll just use a little Alpha command, and she'll come crawling back. She wouldn't dare leave the pack."

I started the engine and hit the gas.

He had another thing coming.

This time, it was really over. No going back.

Three days after moving out of the pack house, I rented an apartment downtown.

No Alpha pressure, no pack duties, no endless healing. For the first time, I actually felt some peace and quiet.

I was on my balcony, enjoying a coffee, when my phone rang.

"Sophia!" Marcus sounded frantic. "You have to come back!"

"What's up?" I asked, not really caring.

"The full moon ceremony! The full moon's in four days, and..." His voice was shaking. "The preparations are a disaster!"

I almost laughed.

"Not my problem, Marcus. You guys have a new Luna."

"But Vivian doesn't know what she's doing! The herbs for the sacred ritual, the blessing chants, how to even speak to the Moon Goddess... she's clueless!"

"And what does she have to say about it?"

Marcus paused. "She says she'll learn... but we only have four days! Sophia, if the full moon ceremony fails, the whole pack will lose the Moon Goddess's blessing!"

I took a sip of my coffee. "Yeah, that does sound pretty bad."

"So, will you come back and help?" Marcus pleaded. "Even if it's just to show Vivian the ropes..."

"Give me the phone."

A shrill voice snatched the phone. Vivian.

"Sophia, don't listen to Marcus's whining," she snapped. "I've been studying for three days. The full moon ceremony isn't that hard. It's just chanting some words and lighting a few candles, right?"

I nearly choked on my coffee.

"Vivian, are you sure you actually understand what the ritual is for?"

"Of course! I'm not an idiot," she said smugly. "And I've already got everything ready. You just wait, you'll see how perfectly I handle it!"

She hung up.

I just shook my head and went back to enjoying my quiet afternoon.

Three days later, my human friend Sarah was getting married.

I wore a light blue dress. By the time I got to the hotel, the ceremony was already starting.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated," the officiant's voice echoed through the speakers. "We are gathered here today to witness the sacred union..."

I found a seat near the back, ready to listen, when I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Moon Goddess, please witness our mate bond..."

I whipped my head around and nearly jumped out of my seat.

In another ballroom at the same hotel, Ethan, dressed in a black tux, was holding hands with Vivian in a white wedding gown. They were having their mating ceremony right there in front of everyone.

They'd actually picked the same hotel!

"...grant us eternal love and prosperity for our pack..."

Ethan continued with his vows, totally oblivious to me.

I was about to sneak out, but then Vivian's shrill voice cut through the air:

"Sophia! What are you doing here?"

Everyone turned to stare at me.

Ethan's face paled. "Sophia? Why are you here?"

I stood up, trying to stay calm. "I'm here for a friend's wedding."

"A friend's wedding?" Vivian eyed me suspiciously. "You're not here to ruin our ceremony, are you?"

"Ruin it?" I scoffed. "Why would I want to do that?"

Ethan rushed over to me, his eyes flashing with... something complicated. "You... you're mating someone else?"

I blinked, then realized what he thought.

"No, Ethan. I'm just here for my friend Sarah's wedding. A human wedding." I gestured to the ballroom next door. "It has nothing to do with you guys."

"Then why this hotel?" Vivian shrieked. "There are tons of hotels in the city. You had to pick this one?"

"Because the bride picked it," I said calmly. "Besides, I figured you'd be at a traditional mating site, not some human hotel."

Ethan flushed. "We... we wanted something more modern..."

"Modern?" I looked around. "Then why isn't a pack Elder officiating? Why have the hotel event planner read a script? At least the Elders actually represent the Moon Goddess."

Vivian's face got even redder. "All those old rules are such a hassle!"

I shook my head. "You don't even have basic respect, and you expect the Moon Goddess to acknowledge your bond?"

"We don't need your approval for our bond!" Vivian fumed. "And I'm all set for the full moon ceremony. I'll show everyone I'm a perfectly good Luna then!"

Ethan puffed his chest out. "That's right. Vivian's a natural when it comes to rituals."

Just then, Ethan's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, a smug look on his face. "That'll be the Elders' Council. They're probably calling to say how impressed they are with Vivian's ceremony prep."

He confidently hit the speakerphone button.

But the next thing we heard was Elder Grace's furious voice blasting from the speaker, loud enough for the whole ballroom to hear.

"Alpha Ethan! What in the blazes have you two done?!' Elder Grace's voice was shaking with rage. "The sacred ritual is a total mess! The Moon Goddess's blessing has completely GONE from our pack!"