Breaking Bonds with Alpha the Eighth Time

My mate Alpha Lucian Thorne's childhood sweetheart, Vanessa, is stirring up drama again, and he's ready to break our bond for the eighth time.

I'm numb, my heart like ashes, as I look at him calmly and say, "This'll be our eighth bond-breaking, you know."

He gives me that guilty look, his eyes pleading, a mix of helplessness and desperation. "Luna Ashvale, I don't have a choice. You know how Vanessa gets-she's always threatening to hurt herself. I can't just ignore her, can I?"

"But don't worry, Luna Ashvale," he adds quickly, "as soon as I calm Vanessa down, we'll become bound again right away. Promise."

I don't say a word.

I've heard that line a million times before.

Eight bonds. Eight breaks.

The folks at the Family Court know me by name now. Behind my back, they call me the "Eight-Time Breaking She-wolf."

Clutching the freshly printed bond-breaking papers, I hear one of the court clerks behind me, curiosity dripping from their voice. "So, when's the ninth wedding? Gotta book the slot for you."

I shake my head faintly. "There won't be a next time."

Stepping out of the Family Court, I spot Alpha Lucian doting on Vanessa, all sweet and tender.

Just half an hour ago, she was at our place, smashing glass bottles, holding a jagged shard to her throat, screaming her lungs out like she was auditioning for a soap opera. Now, after a few honeyed words from Alpha Lucian, she's giggling like nothing happened.

Every time I see this scene, it's like I'm watching a bad movie-part of me can't believe it's real. That unhinged she-wolf from earlier? Really her?

Today's supposed to be our third wedding anniversary, Alpha Lucian and me.

But calling it an "anniversary" feels like a sick joke.

If you count from our first wedding, sure, it's been three years. But with all the bonding and breaking, the makeups and meltdowns, our latest rebonding lasted-what-a month?

And now our bond is broken again.

Three years. Eight bonds. Eight breaks.

Never thought those internet memes about serial divorcées would hit so close to home.

As I walk out of the courthouse, dazed, Vanessa catches my eye and smirks, ripping open the scar in my heart. "Alpha Lucian, were you lying to me? How'd you get the bond broken so fast?" she says, all fake innocence. "Did Luna Ashvale try to guilt-trip you into staying? She'd love it if I just dropped dead so no one's 'bothering' you."

Alpha Lucian looks exasperated, but he doesn't defend me like he used to. Instead, he soothes her in that soft, coaxing tone, handing her the bond-breaking papers. "Here's the proof, Vanessa. See? No tricks."

Vanessa glances at the papers, her face lighting up like she just won the lottery. She shuts up, satisfied. But when Alpha Lucian's not looking, she shoots me a smug, condescending glare.

I know she's baiting me, but it still gets under my skin. Every damn time.

You'd never believe what