On my birthday, my mate marked the "one who got away" at the hotel we had chosen, wearing the suit I had picked for him.

Alpha Daniel Olson, leader of the Crimson Fang Pack, stood there, his broad shoulders and commanding presence filling the space. Beside him was Luna Cataleya Ruiz from the Shadow Claw Pack, her beauty radiating like a cruel moon. Their marking ceremony was captured and shared by Daniel’s brother, Gerardo Olson, a Delta in their pack, who declared them destined for each other.

I couldn’t resist adding my own bitter words to the sea of congratulations flooding the social media feed: "May your home be filled with pups."

Not long after, my phone buzzed with a call from Alpha Daniel. Frustration laced his deep voice: "Kensley, can we stop this already? This is the last time. Once I fulfill this final promise, I’ll come back to you."

I had discovered the marking ceremony through my pack’s network. Gerardo’s post showed Alpha Daniel in the suit I had chosen, his Alpha aura undeniable, while Luna Cataleya clung to his arm with a radiant smile. They walked step by step toward the ceremonial altar, their bond sealed under the gaze of the Moon Goddess.

I forced a bitter smile as I dumped my now-cold dinner into the trash. Today was my birthday. Alpha Daniel had promised we’d celebrate together. I had prepared dinner and baked a honey spice cake, but in the afternoon, he got a call about an urgent pack matter and asked me to wait.

I waited until midnight, and Alpha Daniel never came. Instead, I was confronted with the grand spectacle of his marking ceremony with Luna Cataleya.

In a daze, I shoved some cake into my mouth and started watching the full video Gerardo had posted. I had accidentally put too much sugar in this cake, yet I couldn’t taste any sweetness.

In the video, Alpha Daniel looked as sharp as ever in the ceremonial suit I had picked out for him, while Luna Cataleya, with her radiant smile, clung to his arm. They walked down the aisle, step by step, toward the altar.

As they exchanged vows under the officiant’s declarations, I found myself staring blankly at my own empty mate mark. It felt as though a bullet had pierced my heart.

The mark that was supposed to bind us was now etched into Luna Cataleya’s skin. Our marking ceremony was supposed to be next month. I had spent months booking the venue, picking out the outfits, and preparing the vows, all for someone else to take my place as his mate.

I flashed back to a year ago when Alpha Daniel proposed our bond. He dropped to one knee, no mark, no audience, just a bouquet of roses.

With eyes full of remorse, he said, "Kensley Franklin, I’m sorry. I promise once I get past this, I’ll give you a grand marking ceremony."

I accepted the roses and nodded. He held me, professing how much he loved me, saying he would only belong to me.

Yet here he was, marking another woman.

The video continued, and after their vows, the officiant proclaimed, "You may now seal the bond!" Luna Cataleya shyly tilted her face up, and amidst cheers, Alpha Daniel pulled her into a passionate kiss.

I glanced at the pile of ceremonial invitations that hadn’t been sent out yet and decided to call Alpha Daniel.

When he answered, his voice was impatient. "What do you want, Kensley?"

In the background, I could hear chaos and loud music. After a moment of silence, I asked, "When are you coming back?"

Just then, Gerardo’s voice chimed in, "Hey Alpha Daniel, the ceremony’s over. Ready for the celebration?"

The music quieted down, and it seemed Alpha Daniel had moved to a quieter place.

"I’m handling pack business. Don’t wait up for me. I’m busy, we’ll talk when I get back. Gotta go," he said.

Before he could hang up, I said, "Alpha Daniel, let’s sever the bond."

Hearing my words, his voice turned even more irritated. Coldly, he warned, "Kensley Franklin, stop causing drama. I don’t have time for your antics right now."

The next second, the call was cut off.

The following morning, Daniel was still absent. I hurried through breakfast and headed to the office, receiving a mind-link message from him en route.

“Kensley, why didn’t you fix me breakfast?”

“Is this just about missing my birthday yesterday?”

“Why make a mountain out of a molehill?”

Daniel had stomach troubles, a weakness that seemed to plague even Alphas like him. Despite our many arguments, I always made sure he had food ready—something he'd grown to expect from me, his mate. Rather than respond, I blocked him from my mind-link.

I should have ended this bond ages ago. Ever since Cataleya, the Luna of the Shadow Claw Pack, showed up with that wish book, our relationship had been like a thorn in my side. Whatever she wrote down, Daniel felt obligated to complete, as if her childhood act of saving his life gave her an eternal claim on him.

He had left me stranded at a highway rest stop, missed my birthday, and vanished in the middle of a movie. We quarreled countless times about this, but Daniel always concluded with, “Kensley, Cataleya saved my life when we were pups. Should I be an ungrateful rogue?”

“These are just little things. Helping a fellow pack member isn’t a big deal.”

I accepted his reasoning, yet those “little things” kept escalating—from fetching her medication when she was sick to taking time off from pack duties for trips abroad with her. Meanwhile, I, his mate, could only watch as he bonded with another woman. If I showed even a hint of discontent, Daniel accused me of being petty and childish, reminding me that without Cataleya, he wouldn’t be alive.

So I endured, hoping that once the wishes were fulfilled, Daniel and I could return to normal. But now I see how profoundly mistaken I was.

After blocking Daniel, my life grew a bit quieter. I mind-linked Albert, my Beta and confidant, “Is that overseas healer assignment still available?”

A month ago, Albert had offered me a prestigious healer position in the UK—a rare opportunity for an Omega like me. Three years there, with a status boost upon my return. I had said no because I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Daniel. For years, my greatest aspiration was to build a life with him as his Luna. Despite everything, leaving him was never an option.

But now, I was ready to move on.

Albert quickly replied through the mind-link, “Kensley, are you interested now? That’s excellent! I’d prefer you to go over anyone else.”

With the overseas assignment sorted, I threw myself into my duties as a healer. However, when leaving the pack’s medical quarters that evening, I saw Daniel’s familiar black SUV parked outside. I wanted to act as though I hadn’t noticed, but Daniel stepped out and blocked my path.

“Kensley, I’ve reserved a table at a restaurant to celebrate your birthday tonight.”

Before I could refuse, he ushered me into the car. With pack members milling about, I didn’t want to cause a scene, so I opened the back door and got in.

Such a simple act, yet Daniel’s expression turned somber. “Kensley, why not sit up front today…”

I replied casually, “I’m more comfortable in the back.”

I used to sit in the front passenger seat all the time. But after one dinner with Cataleya, when I instinctively took the passenger seat, she jotted down in her wish book: “The front seat belongs to Cataleya.”

After that, I always sat in the back. When I argued with Daniel about it, he flippantly replied, “It’s just a seat. Why fuss over where you sit?”

I closed my eyes, trying to avoid further communication with Daniel, but the moment the air conditioning switched on, I started sneezing—overpowered by a strong, unfamiliar scent, one that wasn’t mine or Daniel’s.

When I stopped sneezing, I realized the car had transformed significantly. The front was adorned with tiny trinkets, and the back was strewn with clothes and makeup. I once asked if I could hang a good luck charm in his car, but Daniel snapped, “Kensley, if you want me to drive safely, don’t clutter my car!”

So, it wasn’t about the items—it was about me.

I noticed Daniel wore a silver bracelet engraved with Cataleya’s initials and a ruby earring—jewelry he once swore he’d never wear. There was even an “m” tattoo subtly visible on his neck, a marking that made my stomach churn.

I had been deliberately ignoring these details, but now I couldn’t deny how much Cataleya’s wish book had reshaped Daniel. Small things they might have been, but they had left echoes throughout our bond—echoes that felt like grains of sand in my eyes, always grating.

Now, looking at this altered version of Daniel, imprinted indelibly by Cataleya, I felt nothing. Those once-painful details were laid bare, yet they didn’t hurt anymore.

Seeing I’d stopped sneezing, he said, “Cataleya’s wish list is complete. We won’t argue over those things anymore, so let’s stop being upset with me.”

Would we really not? Thinking about the grand marking ceremony and the congratulations from his packmates, I felt nothing but amusement.

I responded with a cold, dismissive “Oh.”

Soon, Daniel’s phone rang, displaying “Cataleya Darling.” He accepted the call, and her voice filled the car. “Daniel, can you come get me? I’m stuck in the countryside and can’t catch a ride. I’m really scared…”

Her voice quivered, and Daniel promptly assured her, “Cataleya, don’t worry. Send me your location, and I’ll be there soon.”

Hearing his urgent tone, I realized it didn’t matter if the wishes were complete; their connection would never end.

After hanging up, Daniel glanced at me in the rearview mirror with a hint of hesitation. “Let’s pick Cataleya up and have dinner together. It’ll liven up your birthday.”

I declined, “Just drop me off somewhere. I’m too exhausted today.”

My words sparked Daniel’s ire.

“Kensley, must you stir the pot? Do you know how unsafe it is for Cataleya to be alone out there?!”

“Can’t you choose a more appropriate time for your antics, or do you truly wish her harm?”

I responded coldly, “I’m not stopping you from going to her. I’m simply exhausted. Why assume I want her in harm’s way?”

Daniel, fed up with arguing, gave an ultimatum.

“Kensley, either you join us willingly, or get out of the car now.”

I chuckled bitterly at that.

We were on the highway. If Daniel left me here, getting a cab would be impossible, and I’d be lucky to make it off the highway safely.

My bitter laugh pushed him over the edge. He pulled over on the emergency lane, forced me out of the car, and said, “Fine, if you don’t want to come, make your way home on your own.”

Without a backward glance, he drove off, leaving me alone by the roadside.