One Time Too Many

There was only one week left until my marking ceremony with Alpha Mason Wright.

And this time, he was asking to postpone it yet again, all because his puphood sweetheart, Eira Padmore, the she-wolf who once saved his life, had another episode.

She was in tears, begging to go to Bhador to see the snow, just like every time before, claiming she wouldn't be able to breathe otherwise.

The ceremony had already been pushed back three times. All the wolves of the north had been waiting for us to complete it.

But I was done waiting, and so was the pup growing inside me.

If Mason refused to mark me, then I'd walk away and build my own future.

But what I couldn't understand was... Why was it that the moment I left, Mason went mad searching for me, and suddenly insisted on marking me after all?

Mason Wright slipped off his ring and picked up his phone to book a flight three hours later to Bhador.

"The marking ceremony will have to wait. We'll continue once Eira is feeling better."

My heart sank.

We had been together for five years. He claimed me. The marking ceremony? It got delayed–and so many times, at that.

For werewolves, being marked was what truly made a bond official.

At this point, I lost count of how many times Mason had chosen Eira Padmore over me.

Just moments ago, I happily told my friend that I wanted her pup to be at the ceremony. After what Mason said, though, my eyes burned with tears.

All because of Eira, the marking ceremony kept getting postponed. I had long become the punchline behind the pack's back.

"Don't worry," said Mason, still caught up in his own world. "Once Eira and I come back from Bhador, we'll hold the marking ceremony immediately."

When he finally looked up and saw my red, swollen eyes, guilt filled his.

"You know she saved my life. If I don't give in to her, she'll fall apart. I can't leave her like that. I've already found the best doctor for her condition. She'll be fine soon, I promise."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Eira appeared at the shop entrance, dragging her suitcase.

"Mason, are we going?"

She was perfectly made-up, smelling sweet, smiling warmly. There was not the slightest sign of someone having an episode.

From an angle Mason could not see, she shot me a triumphant, taunting smile.

"Cassandra, I'm heading out. When I'm back, we'll do the marking ceremony. Pick whichever ring you like. Don't worry about the money."

Before I could respond, the two of them left.

My heart slowly froze over.

Mason was not even an Alpha when we first started dating five years ago. Still, he loved me deeply, and I could feel it. I was his first priority in everything.

We claimed me in public after just one year. He told me that once he inherited the pack, he would mark me and make me his Luna.

Two years ago, he finally took over. I was over the moon, already preparing for our ceremony.

Then, Eira returned to the pack…and everything changed.

He started choosing her, time and time again.

He skipped dates, missed anniversaries, and postponed the marking ceremony…

Eira used that one damned "life-saving grace" like a weapon, rampaging right through our relationship.

At first, I forced myself not to overthink it. After all, she did save his life.

They grew up together. It was only natural for him to look after her. I treated her like a younger sister.

However, the more I was ignored, the more I noticed the malice behind her smiles. When I told Mason, he only said I was being paranoid.

Eventually, I just stopped talking. I even thought about ending things.

However, every time he neglected me, he would come back with an apology. This would be the 99th apology.

Once, I used to hope each one would be the last. No more; I no longer hoped for anything.

Leaving the jewelry store, I received a phone call.

"Ms. Holt, I'm sorry to bother you again. We're willing to raise the annual salary to one million dollars. Would you consider joining us as the Design Director?"

It was the third time the famous Ularian jewelry company had reached out.

I had turned them down before, but this time, I said yes.

"I'll take the offer."

"When can you arrive?"

"In three days."