My mate Alpha Lucian Thorne's childhood sweetheart, Vanessa, is stirring up drama again, and he's ready to break our bond for the eighth time.

I'm numb, my heart like ashes, as I look at him calmly and say, "This'll be our eighth bond-breaking, you know."

He gives me that guilty look, his eyes pleading, a mix of helplessness and desperation. "Luna Ashvale, I don't have a choice. You know how Vanessa gets-she's always threatening to hurt herself. I can't just ignore her, can I?"

"But don't worry, Luna Ashvale," he adds quickly, "as soon as I calm Vanessa down, we'll become bound again right away. Promise."

I don't say a word.

I've heard that line a million times before.

Eight bonds. Eight breaks.

The folks at the Family Court know me by name now. Behind my back, they call me the "Eight-Time Breaking She-wolf."

Clutching the freshly printed bond-breaking papers, I hear one of the court clerks behind me, curiosity dripping from their voice. "So, when's the ninth wedding? Gotta book the slot for you."

I shake my head faintly. "There won't be a next time."

Stepping out of the Family Court, I spot Alpha Lucian doting on Vanessa, all sweet and tender.

Just half an hour ago, she was at our place, smashing glass bottles, holding a jagged shard to her throat, screaming her lungs out like she was auditioning for a soap opera. Now, after a few honeyed words from Alpha Lucian, she's giggling like nothing happened.

Every time I see this scene, it's like I'm watching a bad movie-part of me can't believe it's real. That unhinged she-wolf from earlier? Really her?

Today's supposed to be our third wedding anniversary, Alpha Lucian and me.

But calling it an "anniversary" feels like a sick joke.

If you count from our first wedding, sure, it's been three years. But with all the bonding and breaking, the makeups and meltdowns, our latest rebonding lasted-what-a month?

And now our bond is broken again.

Three years. Eight bonds. Eight breaks.

Never thought those internet memes about serial divorcées would hit so close to home.

As I walk out of the courthouse, dazed, Vanessa catches my eye and smirks, ripping open the scar in my heart. "Alpha Lucian, were you lying to me? How'd you get the bond broken so fast?" she says, all fake innocence. "Did Luna Ashvale try to guilt-trip you into staying? She'd love it if I just dropped dead so no one's 'bothering' you."

Alpha Lucian looks exasperated, but he doesn't defend me like he used to. Instead, he soothes her in that soft, coaxing tone, handing her the bond-breaking papers. "Here's the proof, Vanessa. See? No tricks."

Vanessa glances at the papers, her face lighting up like she just won the lottery. She shuts up, satisfied. But when Alpha Lucian's not looking, she shoots me a smug, condescending glare.

I know she's baiting me, but it still gets under my skin. Every damn time.

You'd never believe what set her off this time. A month ago, right after our latest rebonding, Alpha Lucian gave me an early anniversary gift. Vanessa saw it, and her jealousy went nuclear.

That's right-a gift for me sent her spiraling. So, a month after we tied the knot again, she dragged us back to Family Court for another bond-breaking.

The clerk handling our paperwork that day even cracked a joke. "Y'all come to Family Court more often than most folks hit up the farmers' market."

I was mortified, my face burning as I stared at the floor, wishing it would swallow me whole. Three years, and we've been to Family Court nearly thirty times. The staff practically throw us a welcome party now.

But Alpha Lucian? He lost it. Stepped in front of me, all protective, and snapped at the clerk. "Just process the papers and keep your mouth shut. Me and my mate like to play the bonding-breaking game. What's it to you?"

The clerk clammed up and finished the paperwork.

Ever since that day, Vanessa's been counting down the thirty-day cooling-off period like it's her job. This morning, she couldn't wait any longer-she forced Alpha Lucian to drag me to court for the bond-breaking certificate.

She smashed a glass, grabbed a sharp piece, and held it to her throat, screaming, "If you don't break the bond with her today, I might as well die!"

Alpha Lucian, who'd been trying to brush it off, panicked. He grabbed my wrist so hard it left a red mark and practically begged me. "We've gotta get the bond-breaking papers today, Luna Ashvale. Vanessa can't handle this."

That's when it hit me.

No matter how many times we become bound-a hundred, a thousand-his precious childhood friend will always come first.

"All done. Let's head home," Alpha Lucian says to Vanessa, pulling her toward the car.

Out of habit, I reach for the passenger door, but Vanessa blocks me, pouting like a spoiled kid. "Luna Ashvale, you and Alpha Lucian aren't bound anymore. Don't you think it's a little weird to ride in his car?"

I glance at Alpha Lucian, hoping for backup.

He frowns slightly, reaching for Vanessa's arm, but she shakes him off. "I'm just stating facts, Alpha Lucian. You're unbound now. What'll wolves think if they see you two cozy in the same car? And Luna Ashvale, you'll want to move on someday. Why not keep some distance from your ex?"

She lays it out like she's reading from a script, all logic and reason.

Alpha Lucian gives me an awkward look. "Luna Ashvale, maybe."

He doesn't finish, but I get the message loud and clear.

I bite the inside of my cheek so hard I taste blood, metallic and sweet. "It's fine," I say. "I'll walk."

Vanessa slides into the passenger seat, smug as ever. Before they drive off, Alpha Lucian shoots me an apologetic glance, his voice low. "Don't take it personally, Luna Ashvale. Vanessa's just having a rough day, acting out a bit. Once I get her settled, we'll become bond again. For good this time. No more breaks."

I don't respond.

He's fed me that line seven times already.

Each time, I believed him. Each time, I got burned.

The first bond-breaking? Alpha Lucian forgot Vanessa's birthday.

The second? She lost her favorite cat.

The third? She had a nightmare that Alpha Lucian became bound to someone else and ditched her.

And this time? He gave me a gift and not her.

Each reason more ridiculous than the last.

Yet every single time, Alpha Lucian bends over backward for her, throwing me under the bus.

I've fought, I've screamed, I've thrown tantrums of my own over the years. But it's always the same outcome. He sweet-talks me, calms me down, then goes right back to dancing to Vanessa's tune.

Now, after the eighth bond-breaking, I'm done. I'm letting go.

The love I had for him-blazing, all-consuming-can't survive being doused in cold water over and over.

I trudge back to Alpha Lucian's house, my mind a fog. Before I even open the door, I hear laughter and playful shouting inside.

Alpha Lucian's covered in flour-face, clothes, everything. I remember how he's got this serious clean-freak streak. Once, I spilled a drop of oil on his shirt while eating, and he chewed me out for it. But now, with Vanessa, he's all smiles, not a hint of annoyance, even with flour dusting him like a human donut.

When he sees me, he breathes a sigh of relief. Without missing a beat, he tosses me an apron. "Luna Ashvale, you're back! Come on, whip up some dinner. Vanessa and I are starving."

Vanessa's sprawled on the couch, acting like she owns the place. "I'm craving beef stew tonight," she says, all bossy. "Make sure the meat's tender."

I let out a bitter laugh and fire back, "Can't you cook it yourself? With all the time you two spend goofing around, you could've made a five-course meal by now."

The second I finish talking, Alpha Lucian shoves me, his face twisted with rage.

My lower back slams into the corner of the dining table, pain shooting through me so bad I break out in a cold sweat.

"Luna Ashvale, do you even hear yourself?" he snaps. "All I asked was for you to make dinner. Why are you making a big deal out of it?"

I'm clenching my teeth against the pain, staying silent.

But to Alpha Lucian, that's me defying him.

Vanessa chimes in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Alpha Lucian, I bet Luna Ashvale just can't stand me. Every time you ask her to do anything, she drags her feet or makes excuses."

"If someone like her stays your mate, I'll probably get kicked out of the house."

That's all it takes for Alpha Lucian's eyes to blaze like he's about to lose it.

He grabs my arm, drags me into the kitchen, and practically throws me against the counter.

His face is stone-cold, not a shred of warmth left. "If you don't make the dinner Vanessa wants tonight, you can spend the whole damn night in here."

Bang.

He slams the kitchen door shut.

My wrist is bruised purple, and my elbow's scraped raw from hitting the stove's edge, blood already seeping out.

A moment later, Vanessa's laughter echoes from the other side of the door, loud and relentless.

Alpha Lucian storms back in, sees me standing there, not moving, and his brows knit together. "Luna Ashvale, are you seriously trying to pick a fight with me?"

"You're my mate. What's the big deal about cooking a meal?"

I straighten up, slowly lifting my head to meet his gaze, a bitter smirk tugging at my lips. "You forgetting something, Alpha Lucian? Our bond is broken. I'm not your mate anymore."

His eyes flicker with embarrassment. He clears his throat, then steps closer, wrapping me in a gentle hug, his voice softening like he's trying to smooth things over. "I got carried away earlier, okay? But I've told you, the bond-breaking is just temporary."

"Once I get Vanessa calmed down, we can become bond again anytime. Don't sweat the small stuff."

He hands me a piece of paper scribbled with a list of dishes, his face turning serious, a hint of a warning in his tone. "I'm giving you a chance here, Luna Ashvale. Make Vanessa happy, cook what she wants, and we can form a new bond sooner."

"Be good, alright?"

He leaves, shutting the kitchen door again.

In that moment, a hollow sadness settles in my chest.

Since when did breaking a bond and forming a new one become "small stuff" to him?

And now I'm supposed to kiss up to Vanessa?

Sorry, not happening.

I'd rather camp out in this kitchen than grovel to her.

I slide down to the floor, leaning against the cabinets under the counter, and close my eyes.

Drifting in and out, I suddenly feel a chill.

I open my eyes to see Vanessa grinning wickedly, splashing a bucket of ice-cold water over me.

"Vanessa, are you out of your mind?" I yell.

She hurls the bucket at me, and it smacks my forehead hard.

"Luna Ashvale, I told you to cook, not nap! You think you're good enough to become bond with Alpha Lucian looking like that? Get real!"

I'm fuming now.

I grab the bucket she threw and chuck it back at her with all I've got.

Vanessa shrieks, dodging it, but the leftover water splashes all over her.

Alpha Lucian hears the commotion and barrels in. Seeing Vanessa soaked and disheveled, he doesn't hesitate-he grabs my hair and yanks, snarling, "Luna Ashvale, have you lost it? How dare you hurt Vanessa!"

He's pulling so hard, his face twisted with fury, like he wants to rip my hair out.

I'm forced onto my tiptoes, straining against his grip, trying to explain. "She threw water on me first and hit me with the bucket-"

But before I can finish, Alpha Lucian's eyes go wild, cold and vicious. "You had it coming!"

"All you had to do was make dinner, and you're slacking off, fighting back? Vanessa's sweet and kind-she only splashed you with water. If it was me, I'd have thrown you out on the street!"