He Gambled Away Our Bonding Ceremony and Now He’s Begging for It Back Chapter 01

He Gambled Away Our Bonding Ceremony and Now He’s Begging for It Back Chapter 01

The bonding ceremony was at the token exchange when my best friend suddenly walked up the aisle in a wedding dress, smiling.

My fated mate, Aldric, took the bonding ring and slid it onto her finger. Right in front of everyone.

My eyes burned. I demanded an answer.

They looked at each other. Then both of them burst out laughing.

Bianca couldn’t even stand up straight.

“Iris. Aldric and I made a bet last night.”

“He said you’d notice the welcome sign photos were swapped for ones of him and me before the ceremony started.”

“I said you trust us way too much. No way you’d check.”

She wiggled her fingers. The ring caught the light.

“He lost the bet.”

“So by our terms, this ceremony goes to me.”

Aldric slid an arm around her waist. His voice was casual.

“I’m just letting Bianca play bride for a day.”

“The venue’s already booked. The whole setup’s ready. Seems like a waste not to use it.”

“We’ll do another ceremony next month. Don’t be such a sore loser.”

They always turned me into a bet.

When he proposed, he lost. The proposal gift went to Bianca.

When we took engagement photos, he lost. Bianca got the snow backdrop I’d wanted.

Even the master bedroom got remodeled into some wild werewolf theme because Bianca won a bet.

Every time I got upset, they’d smile and say, “It’s just a bet. Why take it so seriously?”

I finally understood. To them, everything I had was just chips to throw on the table.

I looked at Aldric. My voice came out flat.

“You’re giving her the ceremony. Give her yourself too.”

I turned to leave.

Aldric grabbed my wrist.

“Iris. Enough.”

“Pack members are here. Guests from other packs showed up. You really want to make a scene in front of everyone?”

I shook him off.

“I’m the one making a scene?”

“This was my bonding ceremony.”

Aldric frowned. Nothing but impatience.

“I told you. I’m just letting Bianca have one day.”

“After the ceremony, nothing between us changes.”

“You’re really gonna sever our bond over one formality?”

He paused like something just occurred to him. A cold laugh.

“Last month you said you were done with us too.”

“And then you bought Bianca a birthday cake.”

Bianca laughed.

“Iris. Every time you can’t take a joke, you swear you’re cutting us off.”

“Three days max. You always come back.”

She shook her hand, making the ring sparkle. Her smile had edges.

“I bet two days this time.”

“Aldric. You in?”

He looked down at her.

“For what?”

“How fast Iris comes crawling back.”

“If she begs you to take her back within two days, you give me that high-energy crystal sphere in the master bedroom.”

Aldric didn’t even hesitate.

“Done.”

“She won’t last one.”

Right there. In front of me. They bet on me again. This time the stakes were my grandmother’s heirloom.

Like my leaving was just a new game for their entertainment.

I stared at Aldric.

“You’re that sure I’ll come back?”

His voice was steady.

“We’ve been together six years.”

“You spent a whole year planning this ceremony just to marry me.”

“Every detail of this venue. You arranged it yourself.”

“Iris. Can you really walk away from me? We’re bonded under the Moon Goddess.”

He knew the old me too well.

That was why he kept betting on my limits. Because win or lose, I was the one who cleaned up the mess.

Bianca ruined my engagement dress. I ordered a replacement.

She ripped up our photo. I said it was fine.

She redecorated our house to her taste. I was the one who apologized to Aldric for fighting about it.

They knew I’d be hurt.

They just knew I wouldn’t leave.