The Luna's Perfect Goodbye

A week before our bonding ceremony, I overheard my mate talking with his friends.

"Wait, you actually changed the venue for Kira?" one of them teased. "Without even telling your fiancée?"

Then came his reply—cocky, dripping with a smirk I could practically hear through the door.

"Relax. She's crazy about me. Almost died for me, remember? She'll go along with anything I say."

He was so sure I'd follow him to that beach in California.

So when his furious mind-link finally buzzed through on our bonding day…

"Sarah, where the hell are you?!"

I just smiled, watching the snow fall gently over the mountain peak I'd chosen.

"I've been here awhile."

I'd picked Aurora Peak in Alaska for our ceremony a long time ago. That place… it meant something to us. To me and Ethan.

I never thought he'd change it just because Kira Reed suggested something else.

My hands shook. I stood frozen outside the door, not daring to interrupt the Alphas inside.

Ethan's Beta, Leo, sounded uneasy.

"A bonding ceremony is about both of you. Shouldn't you at least tell Sarah? How's she supposed to get ready?"

Ethan brushed him off, annoyed.

"What's there to get ready for? Aurora's freezing. Crescent Bay is way nicer."

"But it's a big deal, man. Isn't it pretty disrespectful to not even loop her in?"

Ethan's patience was thinning.

"If I tell her, she'll ask a million questions and make a scene. Then I'll have to calm her down. Total hassle."

"Besides, she's so in love with me, she'll say yes to anything. Remember? She almost died for me. Changing the location is nothing compared to that."

Someone snickered beside him.

"We all know what this is really about. It's for Kira… I mean, can you blame him? That girl's got a body that doesn't quit."

"Seriously, dude, we all thought you were gonna end up with Kira. She's gorgeous. And her family's loaded."

Ethan's expression darkened. His Alpha energy pressed heavily into the room.

"Enough. I don't wanna hear that again. If Sarah causes trouble over this, I'm holding every one of you responsible."

The guys chuckled nervously.

"Alright, alright, we'll drop it. You're the man, Ethan. Sarah's wrapped around your finger anyway."

Just then, Ethan's phone rang. The screen lit up with the name "Kira." They all exchanged knowing looks.

"The real Luna's calling."

Ethan didn't correct them. His voice went soft as he answered.

Kira's sugary, flirtatious laugh spilled through the speaker.

"Ethan, did you really get me that moonstone necklace? I heard it's only meant for a Luna!"

"Mhm. Had it custom made. It'll be here next week."

"Is it… really expensive?"

"Just two hundred thousand. Worth it if it makes you happy."

Kira sounded breathless, touched.

"You're too good to me. I'll wear it for you at the bonding ceremony!"

Ethan smiled. I could hear it in his voice.