Seventeen Times Forgotten: Rejecting My Alpha Mate

I was the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, mated to Alpha Ethan for nine years.

But when my inner wolf was severely damaged, he spent all his time with Tiffany, a new Omega assistant.

On my birthday and our mating anniversary, he completely forgot the rare moonstone I desperately needed to heal my fractured soul.

Instead, he bought VIP gladiator tickets for Tiffany.

Worse, when I was pale and weak, he carelessly handed me a healing potion laced with silver-the one element that could burn a werewolf alive.

When I pointed out the poison, he just shrugged impatiently and told me to throw it away and eat bread.

Before I could even process the heartbreak, Tiffany called, faking a heat fever.

Ethan immediately rushed out of the house to comfort her, leaving me alone.

In just three months, he had abandoned me seventeen times for another woman's artificial scent.

I didn't understand how the boy who once took a feral rogue's bite to save my life could now casually hand me death.

Why did my nine years of devotion mean less than a fake Omega's tears?

The last thread holding my soul to his simply vanished.

I packed my bags, booked a one-way flight to Paris, and opened the ancient Mind-Link.

"I, Mia, reject you, Ethan, as my mate."

Chapter 1

Mia POV

The heavy oak door of the packhouse office swung open on a protesting groan of its hinges. Ethan entered, and with him, the scent of the deep forest and a damp, permeating rain. He was the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. His presence alone was a physical pressure that compelled every wolf in the room to bow.

I sat on the leather sofa, observing the man I had loved for nine years. Twenty years ago, when we were children, to block a rogue's bite, his side neck was left with a crescent-shaped scar. I had traced it countless times. But I don't know when, that scar was covered by the high collar of a bespoke shirt. What was also concealed was the warmth in his eyes when he looked at me. The pack's accounts, the border skirmishes, and the stifled gasps I made each time my wolf spirit was damaged, were grinding away the patience in his brow. I could no longer recall the last time our gazes had lingered in the air for more than three seconds.

"Ethan," I said, my voice steady, quiet. "I want to end our mate bond."

He paused in the act of shrugging off his dark coat. His broad shoulders went rigid for a mere fraction of a second. Then, a low, amused breath escaped him.

"Mia, are we really doing this right now?" he asked, his gaze averted. He cast his coat onto a nearby chair; it landed with a soft thud of heavy wool. "I just finished a border patrol. I am tired."

"I am serious," I said.

He finally turned to face me. His dark eyes held a compound of annoyance and pity. "This is about that stupid moonstone, isn't it?" he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You are throwing a fit over a shiny rock."

I felt a hollow ache in my chest, but I did not cry. Seven days ago, I had begged him to bring back a rare moonstone from the northern allied pack. My inner wolf had been severely damaged years ago. The unique energy of that specific stone was the only thing that could soothe my fractured soul. It was supposed to be my birthday gift. When Ethan returned yesterday, he brought gifts for all the Warriors. He even brought souvenirs for the border guards. But his hands were empty as they met my gaze. He had forgotten. Again. He had forgotten the one thing that could stop my nightly pain.

"It is not just a rock, Ethan," I whispered.

"I will buy you a diamond necklace tomorrow," he said dismissively. He moved to his desk and the laptop screen cast a cool, impersonal light upon his face.

I remembered what I saw on the pack's internal social network this morning. Tiffany, the new Omega assistant, had posted a picture. She was wearing a common moonstone around her neck-pretty, but not the rare healing kind I needed. The caption read: The Alpha knows exactly what his little wolf needs. Below her picture, Ethan had left a comment. It was written in a teasing, intimate tone, much like how wolves speak through the Mind-Link. He used that tone for her in public.

Suddenly, Ethan's head snapped up. His nostrils flared, catching a stray scent on the air. I knew that reaction. His heightened Alpha senses were picking up Tiffany's weak, distressed pheromones from down the hall. His jaw tightened. His pupils contracted abruptly, the muscles in his jaw bunching from the strain, and even the density of the air seemed to thicken with his quickened breath. Her artificially sweet scent had been clouding his judgment for months, but he never noticed.

"Tiffany just sent me a message," he muttered, shutting his laptop with a sharp click. "She invited me to a working lunch. She is having trouble organizing the archives."

"You are leaving now?" I asked.

"It is pack business, Mia," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We will talk about your little attitude problem later."

He did not wait for my answer. He walked out of the door, his footsteps hurried.

I sat alone in the large, empty office. I opened my own laptop. There was an email from Howard, the Alpha of the Lumière Pack in Paris. It was his seventh time inviting me to join them as their lead designer.

I moved the cursor and clicked reply. I accept. I will fly to Paris tomorrow night.

I closed the laptop. I reached up to my neck and unbuckled the plain leather collar. It was supposed to bear his teeth marks. I was an unmarked Luna, a leader's mate without the leader's protection. I took off the silver-toned family ring-it was made of a harmless alloy, only resembling silver, so it never hurt me. I placed the collar and the ring inside the top drawer of his desk.

I walked out of the packhouse and dialed a number.

"Mia?" Sophia's voice came through the phone. She was my best friend and the top Beta female Warrior of our pack.

"I am leaving, Sophia," I said to the wind. "Tomorrow night."

There was a loud crash on the other end, like a sword dropping. "What? Because of the moonstone?" she yelled.

"No," I said, leaning my back against the coarse brickwork of the corridor, the damp odour of mildew mingling with the chill seeping from the stone, creeping up my spine. "Because of seventeen fatal moments of being forgotten. In just three months."

"Mia..." her voice softened.

"The first time," I counted slowly, "was during the full moon. The Shift tore my bones apart. I begged for him through the Mind-Link. He forgot me because he was drinking with the southern allies."

"The second time," I continued, "I stayed up for three days making the ceremonial dresses. My wolf spirit was fading. He fell asleep in his office and forgot to send the Healers to me."

I took a deep breath. "During those same times, Tiffany posted pictures of Ethan escorting her home because she was scared of the dark. He used his Alpha privileges for her."

"I am going to kill him," Sophia growled.

"Do not waste your energy," I smiled weakly. "I have made my decision. I will officially tell him tonight. I am done."

I hung up the phone. I looked at the darkening sky, knowing tonight would change my life forever. But I had no idea how much.