Breaking Bonds with Alpha the Eighth Time

She smashed a glass, grabbed a sharp piece, and held it to her throat, screaming, "If you don't break the bond with her today, I might as well die!" Alpha Lucian, who'd been trying to brush it off, panicked. He grabbed my wrist so hard it left a red mark and practically begged me. "We've gotta get the bond-breaking papers today, Luna Ashvale. Vanessa can't handle this." That's when it hit me. No matter how many times we become bound-a hundred, a thousand-his precious childhood friend will always come first. "All done. Let's head home," Alpha Lucian says to Vanessa, pulling her toward the car. Out of habit, I reach for the passenger door, but Vanessa blocks me, pouting like a spoiled kid. "Luna Ashvale, you and Alpha Lucian aren't bound anymore. Don't you think it's a little weird to ride in his car?" I glance at Alpha Lucian, hoping for backup. He frowns slightly, reaching for Vanessa's arm, but she shakes him off. "I'm just stating facts, Alpha Lucian. You're unbound now. What'll wolves think if they see you two cozy in the same car? And Luna Ashvale, you'll want to move on someday. Why not keep some distance from your ex?" She lays it out like she's reading from a script, all logic and reason. Alpha Lucian gives me an awkward look. "Luna Ashvale, maybe." He doesn't finish, but I get the message loud and clear. I bite the inside of my cheek so hard I taste blood, metallic and sweet. "It's fine," I say. "I'll walk." Vanessa slides into the passenger seat, smug as ever. Before they drive off, Alpha Lucian shoots me an apologetic glance, his voice low. "Don't take it personally, Luna Ashvale. Vanessa's just having a rough day, acting out a bit. Once I get her settled, we'll become bond again. For good this time. No more breaks." I don't respond. He's fed me that line seven times already. Each time, I believed him. Each time, I got burned. The first bond-breaking? Alpha Lucian forgot Vanessa's birthday. The second? She lost her favorite cat. The third? She had a nightmare that Alpha Lucian became bound to someone else and ditched her. And this time? He gave me a gift and not her. Each reason more ridiculous than the last. Yet every single time, Alpha Lucian bends over backward for her, throwing me under the bus. I've fought, I've screamed, I've thrown tantrums of my own over the years. But it's always the same outcome. He sweet-talks me, calms me down, then goes right back to dancing to Vanessa's tune. Now, after the eighth bond-breaking, I'm done. I'm letting go. The love I had for him-blazing, all-consuming-can't survive being doused in cold water over and over. I trudge back to Alpha Lucian's house, my mind a fog. Before I even open the door, I hear laughter and playful shouting inside. Alpha Lucian's covered in flour-face, clothes, everything. I remember how he's got this serious clean-freak streak. Once, I spilled a drop of oil on his shirt while eating, and he chewed me out for it. But now, with Vanessa, he's all smiles, not a hint of annoyance, even with flour dusting him like a human donut. When he sees me, he breathes a sigh of relief. Without missing a beat, he tosses me an apron. "Luna Ashvale, you're back! Come on, whip up some dinner. Vanessa and I are starving." Vanessa's sprawled on the couch, acting like she owns the place. "I'm craving beef stew tonight," she says, all bossy. "Make sure the meat's tender." I let out a bitter laugh and fire back, "Can't you cook it yourself? With all the time you two spend goofing around, you could've made a five-course meal by now."