My Mate Sold Me At Her Birthday Banquet

Everyone in the werewolf world knows that I'd do anything for Luna Carter. I've skipped my final exam review to help her fix the broken-down car on the highway, drunk the spoiled milk she accidentally bought to keep her from getting sick, and even, with a terrible stomachache from food poisoning, drove her to the airport to catch her important flight. People say Andrew Parker is crazy in love with Luna Carter, that he'd never leave her for as long as he lives. Yet, after seven years of being her live-in male caregiver, I finally handed in my notice. The butler stared in shock, double-checking: "Andrew, you're really quitting?" "Yes. I'll be gone in three weeks." I signed the papers calmly and turned to leave. I drove to the cemetery. The woman in the tombstone photo had gentle eyes, similar to Luna Carter's, but softer-so much softer. I reached out to brush the photo, my fingertips trembling. Claire Carter. Luna Carter's younger sister, and. the true love of my life. Seven years ago, the year we loved each other most, Claire drowned in the lake to save me. She'd clung to her last breath, her cold fingers wrapping around my wrist like she was afraid to let go. "Andrew, don't cry." A cough wracked her, and a trickle of water spilled from her lips. "There's last one thing I need to ask of you."​ I'd wanted to howl, to rage at the water that took her, but I'd stayed quiet, because she needed me to listen. Her eyes, once so bright, had started to dim, but they stayed fixed on mine, like she was memorizing my face.​ "Promise me. you'll look after Luna. " I knew she wasn't really asking me to look after Luna. She was afraid I'd lose the will to live, so she tied me down this way, hoping I'd find a reason to go on in those Seven years. I did as she asked. I went to Luna, became her personal maid, shielded her from every danger, fixed every disaster. But Seven years later, my mind hasn't changed. I need to be with Claire. I stared down at the tombstone, whispering, "Without you, this world means nothing to me. Wait a little longer. I'll be with you soon." My phone suddenly vibrated, jolting me from my thoughts. It was Luna Carter's best friend, her voice frantic: "Andrew Parker! Get to the racetrack now! Luna's gone mad-she's risking her life for Eleanor Walker's stupid test!" My pupils constricted. I shot to my feet and ran. Eleanor Walker. The man Luna had chased for five whole years. He'd said he'd only accept her if she proved her devotion by completing a hundred tasks-most of them dangerous, absurd. Rockcliming, deep-sea diving, and now. a death-defying race. When I arrived, Luna was ready to put on a racing suit. Friends surrounded her, begging her to stop. "Luna, have you lost your mind? You just recovered from breaking your ribs mountain climbing for Eleanor last month, and now you're gambling with your life?" "Come on, you're a Carter-half the rich kids in the pack are lined up to date you. Why fixate on Eleanor Walker?" "At least Andrew Parker's better than him! He's poured his heart out for you all these years. Can't you see that?" Luna paused, a shadow flickering in her eyes. She looked up, meeting my pale face across the crowd. "I don't like people who throw themselves at me," she said, her voice low, casually cruel. "Especially the clingy ones." I stood there, my heart squeezing as if someone had it in a vice. But I still strode over, grabbed the racing suit, and pulled it on. Luna narrowed her eyes: "What do you think you're doing?" I lowered my gaze, my lashes casting shadows on my cheeks. "You can't get hurt. I'll go in your place." Her best friend jumped in: "Luna, let Andrew do it! If something happens to you, how will you be with Eleanor?" Luna opened her mouth to object, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw me yank open the car door and slide in. Her pupils tightened. She reached out to stop me, but caught only air. "Andrew Parker!" she snapped, her voice sharp with command. I just nodded at her through the window, my expression as calm as if I were doing a routine errand. The engine roared, and the car shot forward like an arrow. Luna stood rooted, her skirt fluttering in the wind. She stared at the racing car hurtling down the track, her gaze darkening. This man would risk his life to keep her safe. On the track, my car skidded past barriers, sparks flying in the night. The crowd screamed, but I kept pushing the speed to its limit. When I crossed the finish line, there was a deafening crash-the front of the car crumpled, and the airbag deployed. I forced the door open, blood streaming from my forehead down my pale cheek. I staggered to Luna and held out the medal. "I. won," I said. Then my body crumpled forward like a broken doll. Luna caught me almost instinctively. He was impossibly light, as if he might vanish at any moment. She looked down at my closed eyes, a strange feeling surging in her chest. "Andrew Parker!" she called, her voice tighter than she realized. Before darkness swallowed me, I smiled faintly. I loved hearing her say my name. It sounded so much like her.