---- Chapter 8 The preparations for my Bonding ceremony with Bill progressed smoothly. Everything was calm. Peaceful. Just as we were about to complete the final steps of our Bonding Ceremony, David appeared. He stood at the edge of the gathering, dressed ina brand-new suit, a bouquet of roses trembling in his hand. There were dark circles under his eyes, his posture weary, his expression lost between desperation and disbelief. Before I could say a word, his wolf collapsed to its knees. "May," he choked out, his voice hoarse, cracking. " I'm sorry. I was wrong." It had only been two months since I last saw him. And yet, as I stood before him now, I felt nothing. No hatred. No love. ---- Just... emptiness. The alpha kneeling before me was a stranger. Still, he stared up at me with a desperate hunger in his eyes, clinging to some last shred of hope. "May, I know the truth now. I know it was you who saved me. Amy lied. She tricked me. But I've punished her-she'll never come near us again." "Please... just give me one more chance." He looked up at me like a drowning wolf begging for air. "T didn't post your video. That was her, too. I've been looking for you for two whole months-day and night. May... how have you been? I missed you so much. Since you left, I-"" I shook my head, cutting him off. My voice was calm, unwavering. "It's too late, David. I gave you 88 chances. You didn't take a single one." He flinched. But he didn't give up. "May... 1 know I broke your heart. But tell me-what can I do to make it right? Anything. Just say it, and I'll ---- doit." "Is it because I hit you?" he asked, his voice trembling. "I'll hit myself too, okay?" Then-he actually started slapping himself. One blow after another, muttering apologies with every strike. But no matter how loud the sound, how swollen his face became-my heart remained still. "David," I said quietly, "the moment you chose Amy for the 99th time over me... that was the moment we ended." "You could beat yourself bloody in front of me, and it still wouldn't change a thing." I turned slightly and lifted my hand. "Actually, I want you to meet someone." Bill stepped forward, his presence calm and grounding. I reached for his hand and intertwined my fingers with his. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!