Never Just a Backup Luna
Damien, Alpha of the Blackstone Pack, was cursed. The Blood Moon Curse doomed him to bring death to his mate.
I refused to believe such superstitions.
For three years, we attempted the bonding ceremony ninety-nine times. Ninety-nine failures.
Wolfsbane fire scarred my leg. Lunar energy clouded my eye. A silver knife gashed my face, hospitalizing me for weeks.
"Don't try anymore," he pleaded. "I'm cursed. I can't bear to see you suffer."
But I insisted on the hundredth ceremony.
On the eve of our final attempt, my ceremonial gown erupted in cursed flames, leaving me scarred and comatose.
Through my haze, I heard his conversation with his Beta.
"Only Elara would be naive enough to believe that 'Blood Moon Curse' bullshit!"
"You and Aurora ended badly. Are you really making peace with her?"
Damien's voice softened with affection. "In ten days, I'll hold another ceremony. I need to see if she still loves me."
"Ninety-nine times wasn't enough?"
"To make Aurora jealous, you agreed to bond with Elara, only to orchestrate ninety-nine accidents to hurt her."
"Is it worth it, just for Aurora?"
"If it makes her look my way once, it's worth it."
Pain lanced through my chest.
"Aren't you afraid Elara will leave if she finds out?"
"She can never know. I'll marry her and spend my life making it up to her."
All those "accidents" were desperate attempts to get that arrogant she-wolf's attention.
Fine, Damien. I'm done playing. I won't marry you.