Hazel’s POV
Today was the fifty-second mating ceremony between Nathan and me.
This time, I didn’t invite anyone. The only guests were our immediate families and a few high-ranking wolves.
Despite running a high fever, I still pushed through the haze and stayed on my feet, personally overseeing every last detail with the beta in charge.
Nathan, my mate, didn’t lift a finger. He didn’t even spare me a glance.
He was in the groom’s lounge, completely focused on massaging the ankle of Sophie—the intern pack doctor—who had twisted it on her way here.
The tenderness in his expression made it seem like she was his true Luna.
My Alpha parents stood at the end of the corridor, watching the scene with barely concealed disappointment.
My mother shook her head and said with a voice full of pain and anger, “Look at you. You’re falling apart for him. Has he ever once cared?”
Everyone knew how much this ceremony meant to me. No matter how many times it had been canceled before, I still held out hope that this time, we’d complete the bond and I’d finally become his true Luna.
But just moments before the ceremony began, Nathan backed out—again.
He was supposed to be standing beside me on the stone steps, exchanging vows, sealing our bond.
Instead, he was nowhere to be found.
I rushed out of the hall to find him, only for him to intercept me.
“Sophie’s ankle hasn’t healed. I need to take her to the hospital. She’s our pack’s future doctor—we can’t risk it,” he said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. His eyes didn’t even flicker in my direction.
“Let’s cancel today’s mating ceremony. Next time, I swear I won’t bail at the last minute.”
Before I could reply, he shook off my hand and helped Sophie into the car without a backward glance.
The passenger door slammed shut with a loud bang—as if it crushed my last shred of dignity and hope along with it.
Five years ago, we thought we were fated mates. Over the past five years, he’d canceled our ceremony fifty-two times—all because of Sophie.
In the past, I would’ve lost control, demanded to know why he kept abandoning me, asked if I meant anything to him at all.
But this time, I just stood there, forcing a smile.
“It’s fine. Sophie should get treated right away.”
He froze, clearly not expecting me to take it so calmly. Then, for the first time in a long while, he smiled—relieved.
“I’m glad you understand. I’ll get you your favorite strawberry cake tonight.”
I nodded. I watched as he drove off, disappearing into the forest. Only then did I let the smile drop from my face, and the light in my eyes faded into cold.
He had forgotten. I hated strawberries. I never liked cake.
That was Sophie’s favorite, not mine.
The first time he brought it to comfort me, I forced myself to eat it to spare his feelings, then told him afterward that I didn’t like it.
He had looked so guilty and even typed it into his phone:
[Hazel hates strawberry cake. Must remember—forever.]
But one year later, that “forever” had already become a joke.
The sun blazed above me, sweat dripping down my face. And yet, I felt nothing but a chill in my bones.
With a bitter laugh, I returned to the ceremony hall, stood before everyone, and calmly announced that the mating ceremony was canceled.
Then I tore apart, with my own hands, the wedding dress I had worn fifty-two times—tattered, old, yet always worn with hope.
In that moment, I realized with perfect clarity: this mate bond that had lasted five years… it was time to end it.
I no longer needed his mark. I no longer needed his promises.
An Alpha who couldn’t even remember my preferences wasn’t worth waiting for—not even one more ceremony.
