My Alpha mate Ethan cancelled our mating ceremony for 98 times because of his stepsister Scarlett.

The first time, he said Scarlett's dog had died.

"I can't hold a celebration while she's grieving," he told me, his eyes not quite meeting mine. "It wouldn't be right."

The second time, Scarlett was experiencing shift pain.

He left the ceremony venue minutes before it was supposed to start, rushing off to find a healing herb for his precious stepsister.

And now, this is the 99th time—our 99th mating ceremony.

"Emma? I'm so sorry," Ethan's voice came through, sounding distracted. "Scarlett isn't feeling well. Her wolf is in distress, and I need to stay with her. We'll have to postpone again."

Before I could respond, he hung up.

I stood frozen, the phone still pressed to my ear, when the enormous screen behind me—meant for displaying our mating ceremony—suddenly flickered to life.

The gasps around me made me turn. And there they were: Ethan and Scarlett. In his den. On his bed. Her hands running through his hair as he nuzzled her neck in a way that was anything but brotherly.

Laughter erupted around me as pack members pointed and whispered. Some had the decency to look away, but most didn't.

"Sister-in-law," Scarlett's voice purred from the speakers, her face filling the screen with a triumphant smile. "Happy mating ceremony! This is my wedding gift to you. Do you like it?"

I couldn't breathe. Ninety-nine ceremonies. Ninety-nine excuses. Ninety-nine humiliations.

With tears streaming down my face, I pulled off the mate-bond bracelet that felt too tight around my wrist, then wiped my eyes to apologize for Ethan's absence.

After everyone dispersed, I collapsed into my mother's arms and howled my grief. Then, like every time before, I forgave him.

What Ethan doesn't know is that I'm just waiting for the 105th betrayal. That's the number of times he asked me to be his mate—and it's my countdown to finally walking away.

But what I never expected was that after I accepted the mating contract with the Alpha King, becoming Queen of the entire werewolf realm... why is Ethan now on his knees, begging for my forgiveness?

…

I watched the video again and again, silently wiping away my tears. With trembling fingers, I dialed a familiar number.

"I've reconsidered. Is it too late to accept your contract?" I asked, my voice barely steady.

After receiving confirmation from Grayson Blackwood, the Alpha King himself, I began mentally saying goodbye to Ethan Stone.

This kind of mate ship—I couldn't bear it anymore.

This kind of wolf—I would no longer want to mate with.

When Ethan returned home after our 99th failed ceremony, he seemed genuinely apologetic. He held me close, kissing me tenderly in a way he hadn't done for months.

My body softened against his, melting into his embrace. Just as things were about to progress further, his phone rang.

Scarlett's voice came through the speaker, clear and demanding. "Brother, my birthday party is starting soon. Everyone's waiting for you."

At her words, Ethan pulled away from me with an apologetic look, hastily grabbing his clothes. "Scarlett's graduation party is starting. I need to be there right now."

I just looked at him, saying nothing.

Scarlett was his stepsister. Three years ago, she moved to Silver Creek to attend the Healing Academy, and ever since then, she'd been the nightmare haunting my relationship.

She always managed to call Ethan away during our most intimate moments.

I'd lost count of how many times Ethan had abruptly left me, responding to her midnight calls claiming she needed him to "take care" of her.

Eventually, she moved into our den after supposedly fighting with her roommate. She would brazenly walk into our bedroom without knocking. Several times, Ethan and I had scrambled to dress ourselves under her unabashed stare. Our intimate moments became increasingly rare.

At first, Ethan had wanted to send her away. But somehow, she became an integral part of our lives. She was present for every anniversary, never missed any important occasion, and eventually, her needs became more important than mine.

Like today—my mating ceremony was canceled because of Scarlett's phone call, and now Ethan had abandoned me, seven weeks pregnant with his pup, to attend her birthday party.

Shortly after Ethan left, the silver poison from three moons ago began to resurface.

The pain started as a dull ache in my bones, quickly escalating to fiery agony that made me collapse to the floor.

Three months ago, I'd jumped between Ethan and a hunter's silver bullet during a territory dispute.

The pack healer had removed most of the poison, but warned it might return if I became too stressed.

"Ethan," I gasped, attempting to reach him through our mind link. "The silver... it's back. I need help."

No response.

I tried again. And again. Nine attempts, each more desperate than the last.

Nothing but silence—he was blocking me.

With my vision blurring, I managed to grab my phone and call him.

"What is it, Emma?" His voice was irritated, music and laughter in the background.

"Ethan, the silver poison—it's back. I can't—I can't move. Please..." My voice broke as another wave of pain crashed through me.

"Really, Emma? This jealousy has to stop," he snapped. "You're always doing this when I'm with Scarlett. I'm tired of it."

"No, I swear—"

"I'm busy taking care of my sister right now. I don't have time for your dramatics."

The call ended.

Sobbing from the pain, I dragged myself across the floor, inch by excruciating inch. It took nearly an hour to reach the front door, another thirty minutes to crawl to my car.

Somehow, I managed to drive myself to the pack hospital, blackouts threatening with every turn.

While the healer worked to extract the silver, my phone buzzed with a video message.

It was from Scarlett, of course.

In the video, Ethan was tenderly stroking her hair as she lay on a couch, pretending to be unwell. His fingers caressed her face in a way that made my stomach turn.

"Do you think my sister-in-law is okay?" Scarlett asked with fake concern, a sly smile playing on her lips. "She called saying something about silver poison."

Ethan's laugh was cold, dismissive. "She's fine. She's just attention-seeking again. You're the one who needs me right now."

I stared at the video on my screen, a bitter smile twisting my lips as I felt nothing inside. Completely numb.

I closed my eyes and counted silently. This was the 100th time. I couldn't even remember when I had started becoming this emotionally dead to his betrayals.

But I knew that after the 105th time, I would leave Ethan Stone forever.

Ethan and I had been together for eight years.

Eight years ago, he saved me from a rogue wolf attack. My wolf recognized him as my true mate the first moment she saw him.

During these eight years, he had proposed 105 times. The last time was three months ago, right when I discovered I was pregnant.

So, I would tolerate 105 betrayals from him, because each one was him erasing the traces of our love with his own hands.

The pack healer helped me manage the silver poison and sent me home with strict instructions to rest. I barely made it to our bedroom before collapsing onto the bed, too exhausted to even change clothes.

At three in the morning, the bedroom door creaked open.

Ethan's familiar scent filled the room as he slipped in, carrying something in his hands.

"Emma? Are you awake?" he whispered.

I kept my eyes closed, not wanting to face him.

"I know you're awake," he said softly. "Your heartbeat changes when you pretend to sleep."

I reluctantly opened my eyes. "What do you want, Ethan?"

He sat on the edge of the bed, placing a small wooden box beside me. When he opened it, the scent of rare wolfsbane and moon herbs wafted through the air.

"Special medicine from Elder Whitewood," he explained, his face creased with what looked like genuine concern. "You mind-linked me earlier saying you weren't feeling well, so I went to get this for you."

He started mixing the herbs, creating a poultice.

I watched him work, confusion tearing me apart. If he didn't love me, why would he remember such intimate details? Why would he seek out rare medicine in the middle of the night? But if he did love me, why did he always choose Scarlett?

"This will help with the pain," he said, gently applying the mixture to my chest. His touch was tender, careful not to press too hard. "And it'll protect our pup."

The minty scent of the herbs mingled with something else—jasmine perfume. Scarlett's signature scent clung to his clothes and skin.

As he worked, he whispered against my ear, "Trust me, Emma. I'll give you the most perfect, grand ceremony a mate could ask for."

His hand gently stroked my back, lingering at my waist, trying to pull me closer to him.

Normally, I would enjoy his touch. But feeling his breath on my neck, inhaling Scarlett's perfume on his skin, I felt sick. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and subtly avoided his attempt to kiss me.

"Ethan, the healer said we can't be intimate right now. It could harm the baby."

He stiffened. In the darkness, I could feel his silence. Finally, he placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "Rest well."

The next morning, I woke to find Ethan gone. My phone buzzed with new notifications—more photos. This time of Ethan in the shower.

Despite the steam obscuring parts of the image, his perfect physique was clearly visible. Especially the long scar across his taut abs—the wound he received saving me from that rogue wolf eight years ago.

I remember him covered in blood, still holding my hand, whispering, "Emma, I will never let anything hurt you."

I wiped away a tear. Never let anything hurt me? Then what was all this?

I called Ethan—today was my prenatal appointment, and he needed to be there as the father. I prepared myself for no answer, but was shocked when Scarlett picked up instead.

"Emma, oh, I mean my future sister-in-law," her voice dripped with fake sweetness. "My brother is still sleeping. He exhausted himself making me happy last night."

After hanging up, I looked at the healer, my decision made.

"Doctor," I said firmly, "I don't want this baby anymore."

And not just the baby. Ethan Stone—I didn't want him either.

After leaving the hospital, I took a taxi straight to my parents' house.

My father, Richard Thompson, was the Beta of the Silver Creek pack. To ensure Ethan would give our family more pack resources, he always instructed me to be obedient to Ethan, to never make my Alpha displeased.

Mom's brow furrowed when she saw my haggard appearance.

"Where's Ethan? Didn't he go with you for the prenatal check-up?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

I shook my head. "Mom, this baby... I don't want it anymore."

Mom pulled me to the couch, sitting beside me. "Is it because of his stepsister?"

I shook my head again, unable to speak through the lump in my throat.

"That Ethan," she sighed. "He's marked you for so long yet still hasn't publicly acknowledged you as his mate. I'm calling him right now to find out what's going on."

I grabbed her hand before she could dial. Looking into her eyes, I said firmly, "Mom, I'm not going to marry Ethan."

Dad, who had been silently listening from his armchair, suddenly stood up, pointing at my stomach.

"Have you lost your mind?" he shouted, his face reddening. "You're carrying Ethan Stone's pup, and you're saying you won't marry him? If word gets out, our family will be disgraced!"

He began pacing, gesturing wildly with his hands.

"Besides, Ethan promised our family additional pack resources! Your brother needs those resources for his training. If you don't marry Ethan, how will you repay those resources?"

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you know how many she-wolves would kill to be in your position? To be the Alpha's mate? And you want to throw it away because he has a female on the side? That's just how Alphas are!"

I gave a bitter smile, watching my father rant. I suddenly felt exhausted. This was my family.

They had only agreed to my match with Ethan when he inherited the Alpha position. When he was just an unloved bastard son of the previous Alpha, they hadn't even spared him a glance.

I didn't understand. They were my parents—they should love me more than anyone. Why was I just a bargaining chip for benefits in their eyes?

"You need to secure your position as Luna," Dad continued, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "So what if he has his stepsister? Let him have his fun. As long as you're his official mate, you control the pack resources. That's what matters."

He grabbed my shoulders roughly. "Your obligation is to this family first. Remember that."

Without waiting for my response, Dad pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Alpha? Yes, Emma is at our house. You should come pick her up immediately. She's pregnant, you know, and pregnant women have unstable emotions. I've already disciplined her—she won't give you any more trouble."

After hanging up, Dad yanked me back to the couch.

"Wait here. Ethan will come for you soon."

His hands gripped my arms tightly, afraid I might run. I could feel the bruises forming under his fingers.

"Let go of me," I hissed, trying to pull away.

"You ungrateful child," he growled. "After everything we've done for you. Your mother and I arranged this match to elevate our family's standing in the pack. Do you know how hard I've worked to become Beta? And now you want to throw it all away because your Alpha has a side piece?"

Mom sat silently, eyes downcast. She wouldn't stand up to him—she never did.

"I don't care about the resources," I said through clenched teeth. "I care about being respected. Being loved."

Dad laughed harshly. "Love? You think werewolf matings are about love? They're about power, strength, bloodlines. Your job is to give him pups and manage the pack females. His job is to lead and protect. If he finds pleasure elsewhere, that's just how Alphas are."

The doorbell rang, and Dad's grip on my arm tightened further.

"That's him. Now you'll go home with your mate, apologize for your behavior, and secure your position. Do you understand me?"

Dad opened the door, and there stood Ethan, clutching an enormous bouquet of moon lilies—the traditional werewolf courtship flower.

Even with the strong floral scent——Scarlett’s scent, I could still detect the jasmine perfume clinging to him, and I couldn't miss the red marks that trailed down his neck.

"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry," Ethan said, his voice smooth as he extended the flowers toward me.

"I should have been with you for the prenatal check-up, but I had to oversee emergency training for the border patrol wolves. Please don't be angry. I promise I'll attend every single appointment from now on."

I breathed in the mingled scents of moon lilies and jasmine perfume, silently thinking, "Ethan, we won't have a future to worry about."

"I got you something else," he said, reaching into his pocket to pull out a small velvet box. Inside were silver earrings shaped like crescent moons with small diamonds.

I stared at the earrings without feeling any joy. I'd never worn earrings—my wolf found them irritating. Scarlett was the one who loved earrings.

Dad snatched the box from my hands before I could respond, then pushed me roughly toward Ethan.

"Go home with your Alpha now," he ordered, then turned to Ethan with a sycophantic smile. "Alpha, don't forget about taking Emma's brother to Beta training tomorrow. The boy has real potential."

"Of course," Ethan nodded, placing his hand possessively on the small of my back. "Richard, I appreciate your... understanding in this matter."

As soon as Ethan and I walked through our front door, my phone rang. Scarlett's name flashed on the screen.

"Sister-in-law," Scarlett's sugary voice filled the room. "Do you like those earrings? They came free with the luxury handbag Ethan bought for me yesterday. If you had to buy them separately, they'd be quite expensive, you know."

I hung up, but my phone immediately buzzed with a notification. I opened it to find a photo of a diamond-encrusted handbag—clearly worth thousands—with the earrings Ethan had "bought" for me tossed carelessly in the corner like trash.

Then another photo appeared. Two hands intertwined—Ethan's distinctive Alpha ring clearly visible on his finger, and on Scarlett's hand, an enormous diamond engagement ring sparkled.

I touched my bare ring finger and took a deep breath.

Just one more betrayal left.