Chapter 1

For five years, Alpha Rowan Blackwood kept our mate bond secret while the pack waited for another woman to become his Luna.

Every time he broke a promise to me, he gave me a binding decree: anything I wanted, his to provide.

I had never asked for jewels, money, or a title.

But I was about to collect my hundredth token, and this time I knew what I wanted.

The right to break our bond. And his promise to let me leave.

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Nora

For ten years, the entire pack had called Celeste Hawthorne their future Luna. Nobody corrected them.

Not even my mate, Alpha Rowan Blackwood.

Celeste had found her own mate five years ago and gone to live with his pack. Still, everyone expected her to return and rule beside Rowan. Now she was coming home again, and the whole Frosthaven Pack had turned out to welcome her.

I stood in Rowan's office as he signed the papers on his desk without reading them. His attention stayed on the television. On-screen, Celeste's convoy approached our border. Wolves lined the streets with signs that read WELCOME BACK, LUNA CELESTE.

Rowan pushed back his chair. Before he could leave, his Beta cleared his throat.

Gavin Hawthorne was Celeste's older brother. He was also the only person in the pack, as far as I knew, who recognized me as Rowan's Luna.

“Alpha, my sister can visit you later,” he said. “Luna isn't well. Maybe you should stay with her.”

Rowan frowned. “Celeste is my best friend. She's been away a long time. I have to welcome her back.”

“But, Alpha—”

“Enough, Gavin. I'll only be gone a few hours. Nora will be—” He noticed me by the door. “Nora? What are you doing here? I told you to rest.”

He crossed the room and took my hands, concern replacing his irritation.

“Go lie down, okay? You need to get your strength back for your birthday.”

I nodded. I hadn't known what to say when he'd failed to notice me standing there. I didn't know what to say now.

“I don't want to leave you, darling. But I'm the Alpha. People need me.” He squeezed my hands. “Please understand. Here, let me make it up to you.”

I managed a small smile. I already knew what came next.

“Gavin.”

“Yes, Alpha?”

“Give her another token. Jewelry, money, cars, property—whatever she asks for. Half the pack, if that's what she wants. You can use my stamp on my behalf.”

Gavin's jaw tightened, but he nodded.

Rowan let go of my hands and hurried out.

The three of us had grown up together. Rowan had wanted Celeste, but she'd found her mate and left. After that, Rowan and I discovered our bond. I had expected him to reject me. Instead, he'd told me I was his mate and promised we would make it work.

A year later, we were finally supposed to announce it. I spent the whole day getting ready, then waited for him until midnight.

Celeste had come for a visit. Rowan never showed up.

He sent Gavin instead, carrying a promise signed in blood.

“I owe you one token,” the decree read. “You may request anything from the pack, and it will be yours.”

That was the first. Every time Celeste needed him, Rowan left me behind. Every broken promise earned me another binding Alpha decree.

Ninety-eight had accumulated over the years.

This would be number ninety-nine.

Gavin rested a hand on my shoulder. “I'm sorry. I'll talk to him—”

“Please prepare the token.” My voice caught. I swallowed and handed him a note. “This is what I want.”

He looked from the paper to me. I'd never used the others to ask for anything.

I watched him read my request.

“Upon issuance of the hundredth token, any request made by Miss Nora Whitmore shall be irrevocable, including the dissolution of the mate bond and her voluntary departure from pack territory. Alpha Rowan Blackwood's signature guarantees that he will not interfere.”

Gavin went still.

“Luna... are you sure?”

I nodded. He had Rowan's authorization. All he had to do was use it.

I left the office with my head up. If Rowan failed me again, I would have the last token I needed.

By the New Moon Festival, I meant to be gone.