A Luna’s Escape from a Hollow Mate after Forty Years

One week before our 40th Moon-Bond Anniversary, I found a moonstone ring hidden inside Alistair’s private study chest. The silver band was carved with runes that glowed faintly under the moonlight:

To my eternal mate, on our 40th moon bond.

My heart leapt with joy.

I truly believed the Alpha Alistair Molthaven of the Frostfang Territory was finally going to surprise me.

But three days later, the Moon Healers delivered my fate.

Mid-stage blood curse.

A sickness that slowly ate away a werewolf’s core.

Shattered and lost, I wandered into the Grand Moon Concert Hall—only to see Alistair already seated inside, beside our pup… and my closest friend.

Rixana.

She sat between them like she belonged there. And on her finger…

That ring.

My ring.

She laughed softly, leaning toward Alistair.

“If Theona finds out you brought me here, she’ll be heartbroken,” she teased. “She’s dreamed of hearing the Moon Symphony for forty years.”

Alistair replied without warmth, “She should stay in the pack kitchens. Moon music is wasted on her.”

Our pup chuckled. “Aunt Rixana, should I start calling you Mother now? Father said I was born from your blood spell anyway. Not hers.”

I shut my eyes, my claws digging into my palms as I crushed the healer’s scroll in my hands.

For love.

For the Moon Bond.

For my pup.

I gave up my strength, my rank, my future.

Forty years of loyalty—only to learn the Alpha never loved me. And the pup I raised was never of my blood.

A single tear burned down my cheek.

Forty years.

It took me forty full moon cycles of life to finally see the truth.

I tightened my grip on the diagnosis scroll, forcing my breathing steady.

I was done being unseen.

I sold the Moon Hall estate. Filed for bond severance. And stepped onto the path I should have walked long ago.

***

“Greetings, is this Varros Ridgefern of SilverDen Realty?” I said calmly. “I wish to sell the estate on Central Moon Road. Transfer the gold to my account within three days.”

The voice on the other end nearly howled with joy.

That estate had been my dowry—granted when I left my birth pack to stand beside Alistair.

No matter how cold our bond became, I never once thought of giving it up.

Until now.

Across the Moon Plaza, three familiar figures returned toward the concert hall. To outsiders, they looked like the perfect high-ranking family—an Alpha, his Luna, and their gifted heir enjoying a sacred performance.

Strangers smiled. Whispered praise.

But that Alpha was my mate. That heir was my pup. And the woman they guarded in the center…

Was not me.

It was Rixana Bloodwyn.

I stood frozen beneath the moon torches, blood curse report clenched tight, while they laughed about the encore.

When I saw Alistair and Rixana exit the hall, I was still holding my death sentence.

They spoke excitedly about the music.

While I had just learned I was dying.

Rixana smiled sweetly, pretending concern.

“Don’t speak that way about Theona,” she said lightly. “She is your Luna, after all.”

Alistair snorted. “Am I wrong? She’s only useful for tending the hearth, cleaning halls. Bring her here and she’d only shame me.”

I stood close enough to hear every word.

My fingers curled around the folded concert rune until it bent.

He had forgotten everything.

Forgotten he was the one who chased me across pack borders.

Forgotten that before I became his Luna, I was a commander with magic and ambition.

Time didn’t dull me. This bond did.

Then Ravyn spoke, sharp and careless. “I still don’t get it. Why bond with someone like her when there were better choices?”

My heart faltered.

When did my pup start looking at me with such disdain?

When did the cub who once hid behind my legs turn into a stranger?

Rixana laughed awkwardly. “Enough, enough. Good thing she’s not here. If she heard this, it would be misunderstood.”

And then, she turned.

Her eyes widened slightly when she saw me.

“Theona? You’re here?” she asked softly. “Were you coming to the concert? I thought Alistair said he didn’t give you a moon pass.”

She looked troubled—like someone noticing dirt on fine silk.

I said nothing. My gaze locked onto her hand. The moonstone ring shimmered under the torches. Identical to the one I found in Alistair’s chest three days ago.

Forty years ago, we bonded without rings. Alistair promised me that one day, when his power was strong enough, he would give me one.

His rank rose from pack beta to Alpha King. His wealth multiplied.

And still, I waited. I believed that ring was meant for me.

But now I understood.

He gave it to her. Without thought. As if my forty years meant nothing.

I stepped closer, wanting to see the lie with my own eyes.

Alistair snapped. He moved between us, shielding her like a precious treasure.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he growled quietly. “That ring is Rixana’s. Don’t cause trouble here.”

Rixana stood behind him—calm, untouched.

Unbothered.

She looked like a queen wrapped in moonlight and pride.

And me?

I was the mad Luna cast outside the gates.

“You promised me,” I whispered.

Alistair frowned, annoyed. “What are you even doing here? This isn’t your place. Can’t you see people are staring because of you?”

His gaze cut deeper than claws.

My throat burned, but I didn’t cry.

I was too old. Too proud.

“You said you’d give me a moonstone ring. And today is…”

“Enough!” He waved his hand. “You’re still holding onto something from forty years ago? Fine. I’ll give you one later. Now leave. You’re embarrassing me and our pup.”

He sighed, like I was a burden.

Even Ravyn looked displeased.

“Just go home,” he said. “Instead of finishing your pack duties, you came here? Do you even understand moon music?”

He muttered, “Trying to compare yourself to Aunt Rixana… what part of you even matches her?”

Rixana tugged Alistair’s sleeve. “The concert is starting again. Let’s go.”

She glanced at me with a faint, fake apology before walking away, certain Alistair would deal with me.

And he did.

The moment she left, he shoved me.

The scroll fell from my hands.

My blood curse diagnosis scattered across the stone ground.

They didn’t look down.

They stepped over the words “mid-stage blood curse.”

Over my name.

Alistair never asked me to follow. Just like the past forty years, he shut me out of anything that made me feel alive.

When they disappeared into the hall, I knelt and gathered the papers.

If no one was going to care…

Then I would live whatever time I had left for myself.

It was time to leave.