When the Moon Never Mends

He had once sworn I was his fated Luna, the Omega he cherished above all.

However, just a month shy of our bonding, he decided to repay a life-saving grace by fathering a child with his old flame. To add insult to injury, he swiped the herbal research I was on the cusp of unveiling.

He claimed he was trapped, obligated to both sides.

I, however, was done with him. I cut ties, called off our Bonding Ceremony, and set off for the Northwood tundra to lose myself in my research.

Two years on, he pleaded for my return, professing I was his one true love.

However, by then, I was renowned far and wide, and he was nothing to me.

"Nancy's got Argentosis, with just a year to live. She got sick saving my life, and I can't let her die holding onto regrets. She just wants to leave behind a pup—her own child—her final wish."

Zack Carter had said those lines more times than I could count.

I am Maggie Blake, his supposed Luna. Every time, he acted like it was his righteous duty, as if my refusal made me heartless. Still, could having a child really settle a debt?

I said no, yet he would not drop the matter. He would hound me day in and day out.

What started as sweet-talking had turned into full-blown fights.

Our love was hanging by a thread.

"We're supposed to bond next month, and you want to have a kid with someone else? What am I supposed to be?"

The fights were draining me.

I looked at the Alpha I had loved for five years with nothing but disappointment in my eyes.

Zack was the hotshot Alpha pharmacist at Central City Medical College, the youngest they had ever seen. We had pored over hundreds of herbs together, and he had even promised to bond with me under the watchful eye of the Moon Goddess.

Here he was, backing out and granting another Omega's plea right before our Bonding Ceremony. I could not hide the hurt. Tears streamed down my face, and the wolf within me wailed with grief.

The agony was intense, a bitter gift from the man I loved.

Zack fell silent, his stern features slowly softening. In a hushed tone, he said, "It's just this once. You're still the one I love the most, the only one meant to be my Luna.

"Maggie, I can't turn down her final request.

"You love me, so you'll bend, won't you?"

Despair washed over me like briny waves, overwhelming and suffocating.

Did Zack really think my love meant I had to accept his betrayal?

I fought to steady my shaking frame, but it was no use.

That was when it hit me. Zack had made up his mind to have a child with Nancy, and my feelings did not count for much.

My anguish threw Zack off balance, and he wrapped his arms around me, concern etched on his face.

He