The Moon I Finally Walked Away From
This year marked the sixth Unclaimed Moon Damian and I had shared together.
As the future Alpha of Moonridge Pack, Damian always believed this tradition would make our bond stronger. Every year, for one month after our anniversary, we suppressed our mate bond through an old pack ritual, stayed out of each other's lives, and gave each other complete freedom.
If either of us found someone better, we were supposed to wish them happiness. If not, he would reclaim me when the month ended.
Champagne sprayed through the hall as wolves laughed and cheered around the betting table.
"Here's to our Alpha being unclaimed again. Another year of freedom."
"The betting is open. Put your chips on the left if you think he'll reclaim her. Put them on the right if you think this is finally over."
Through the haze of cigar smoke, I sat alone on a leather sofa, watching everything unfold as if none of it had anything to do with me.
Damian slipped an arm around Vivian's waist. As he passed me, he lowered his voice and said, "Don't overthink it. You'll always be my only Luna."
"When Unclaimed Moon ends, I'll come back to you."
I rested a cold hand against the slight curve of my stomach, my expression unchanged.
Damian, this year, I placed my bet on the end.
I would disappear from your world completely.
The claim you were always so sure I would never reject would be the one thing I walked away from tonight.