When my wolf Amy first began slipping into intermittent slumber, Alpha Ethan's first love, Sophie, returned to the Blackridge Pack—fresh from her witch training.

She destroyed the Healing Circle I'd prepared for warriors with damaged wolf spirits. Then she publicly tore apart the Moon Goddess ceremonial robe my mother left me.

Clutching the shredded robe, I knelt outside the master bedroom and cried all night.

I was Ethan's chosen mate. He had sworn before the Moon Goddess to complete the Bonding Ceremony with me—to make me his sole Luna.

But now, to host a welcome ceremony for Sophie, he'd canceled our scheduled Bonding Ceremony.

He even ordered me to kneel outside the master bedroom—forced to listen to him and Sophie's passionate night together.

The next morning, he opened the door and reached for my face. I flinched away. He smirked. "What? Are you angry now?"

I didn't tell him that I'd been cursed saving the pack's children—that my wolf, Amy, was dying, and I wouldn't last much longer either.

I stared into those amber eyes that had once made me fall so deeply.

"What do you want me to say?" I forced my voice steady.

Sophie peeked out from behind him—wearing nothing but lace lingerie, her face flushed with satisfaction.

She glanced at me and giggled behind her hand.

"Oh, Anna, don't tell me you actually knelt outside listening all night?"

"Shut up," Ethan muttered.

"Ethan, wasn't it you who ordered me to kneel outside all night?" My voice was numb. "I obeyed."

"Enough." He cut me off, expression darkening. "I was exhausted last night—I don't have the patience for your tantrums."

"Tantrums?"

I laughed.

"Ethan, tell me—is it a tantrum to be angry after listening to my partner fuck another woman?"

"We haven't officially bonded yet," he said coldly. "So technically, I'm not your mate."

My heart clenched.

"What did you say?"

"We haven't completed the Bonding Ceremony," he replied impatiently. "So being with other women doesn't count as betrayal."

"Doesn't the vow before the Moon Goddess count?"

"Vows are just vows." He shrugged. "They only become binding after the formal ceremony."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.

Three years.

For three years, I gave him everything.

I helped him stabilize the pack, healed his wounded warriors, handled the tedious affairs no one else wanted.

I thought he would fulfill his vow someday.

But now he was telling me those vows meant nothing?

"Ethan." My voice went icy. "Did you never intend to bond with me?"

He didn't answer.

His silence said it all.

Sophie clung to Ethan's arm.

"Darling, let's get dressed and grab breakfast," she cooed. "We burned so much energy last night—I'm starving."

Ethan glanced at me, as if waiting for me to make a scene.

But I simply knelt there, wiping the tear stains from my face.

"Go ahead," I said flatly.

Ethan furrowed his brows.

He clearly hadn't expected me to stay so calm.

"You..."

"I said go ahead." I repeated. "Don't let Sophie go hungry."

Sophie lifted her chin triumphantly.

But I didn't look at her—my gaze went past them both, settling on the distant altar.

"Anna," Ethan called.

"Hmm?"

"About the Bonding Ceremony..." He hesitated. "I'll reschedule it."

"No need."

I turned my back to him.

"It's unnecessary now."

I stood up—my legs, having knelt all night, screamed in protest. He moved to support my arm, but I shook him off and hobbled toward my own bedroom.

Behind me, I heard Sophie's voice: "Why did she suddenly stop making a scene?"

And Ethan's reply: "I don't know. Maybe she's come to her senses."

Come to my senses?

Maybe.

I've come to my senses—this man isn't worth my tears.

I've come to my senses—in his eyes, I was never a mate. Just a tool.

I've come to my senses—from now on, no more illusions.

But what I didn't tell them was that I'm dying.

The curse is slowly devouring my wolf, Amy.

Maybe a month. Maybe three.

Either way, I don't have much time left.

So there's no point in arguing with him anymore.

When I die, he'll regret it.

I'll make him regret it.

I swear.

My Dying Wolf: Too Late to Love — Chapter 1

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