On the night of their third mating anniversary, the gift Tharina Steelhowl received was not a blessing from the Moon Goddess.
It was a crystal recording orb.
Inside it, her mate, Alpha Malven Ashbourne, was tangled with his personal attendant inside a carriage, the scene spreading across every communication mirror in the werewolf kingdoms, rising to the top of all public channels.
Every wolf in the grand hall turned to look at her.
All of them waited.
They waited for the proud and sharp Luna of the Ashbourne Pack to lose control and break apart in front of everyone.
But Tharina did none of that.
She calmly ordered the gathering to end. One by one, the guests left under her command. Then she returned straight to the Ashbourne pack estate and spoke the words she had buried for too long.
"I want to separate from Malven. I am carrying his pup, and I need you to keep this from him."
Jolene Ashbourne, the Alpha Mother, stood frozen.
The woman who had once loved her son without hesitation was now asking to leave him, while carrying his bloodline, and still refusing to let him know.
Tharina let out a quiet, bitter laugh.
She had loved Malven.
When his carriage accident shattered his body and mind, she had given up everything to stay beside him. Her future. Her path. Her pride.
But after their bonding ceremony, Malven’s so called memory lapses became frequent.
He would forget her. Forget their bond. And lose himself with different she wolves again and again.
Tharina had thrown away her dignity for him. She had argued, cried, and even threatened to destroy herself just to pull him back.
He would kneel, apologize, swear he remembered her again. Then the next day, he would be holding another woman in the open.
She kept telling herself it was his illness. Until yesterday when she had heard the truth.
Through a communication stone, Malven’s voice came clearly, relaxed and mocking.
"You came up with a clever excuse. But tell me, you really don’t care for her anymore?"
Malven gave a low scoff.
"I did before. Now I am tired of her. She is no longer young, always suspicious. And what kind of Alpha stays tied to one woman forever?"
In that moment, everything inside Tharina went silent. Something in her died.
Fine…
Then she would leave.
And she would take her unborn pup with her.
One day, when Malven learned the truth, he would lose everything and regret it too late.
——
Their third mating anniversary.
Tharina Steelhowl received a cruel gift. A recording of Alpha Malven Ashbourne with his attendant, spreading across all territories.
Only moments before, he had held her hand in front of everyone while they cut the ceremonial cake.
"Every year from now on, we will stand like this," he had said softly.
Now every gaze in the hall was fixed on her. Gaze of curiosity, mockery, also pity.
Yeah, they all waited for her to break.
"Luna, should I track the Alpha’s location?"
Caelan, the pack steward, lowered his voice carefully.
"It may just be the Alpha’s condition acting up again."
The Alpha Mother, Jolene Ashbourne, had given strict orders. No one was allowed to upset Tharina tonight. Caelan could only rely on that excuse.
Tharina’s expression remained calm.
"No need. The image is unclear. Just remove it from the channels."
Caelan froze.
Around them, whispers spread quickly.
"She is not going after him?"
"Last time, when the Alpha was seen with another she wolf, she had just recovered from a healing ritual. She still ran out and forced him back."
"And during her birthday, when he brought someone else, she banished that girl from every pack gathering."
"But it is because of his condition. He forgets her, forgets the bond. And every woman he chooses looks like her."
"That only proves she is the one he truly favors. But she causes trouble over everything. No patience at all."
Every word reached Tharina clearly, but she didn’t respond. They believed she had finally learned to stay quiet to keep her place as Luna.
Tharina’s gaze shifted to the large portrait hanging nearby.
It was from their bonding day. Back then, Malven’s eyes had been filled with warmth.
Now she understood. Oaths and love were the weakest things in this world. Easily broken.
Just yesterday, she had heard everything.
There was no illness. No memory loss. Malven remembered everything. He remembered growing up with her. Remembered their bond, her crying, begging, forgiving him again and again.
He simply didn’t care.
Tharina had spent countless nights crying herself to sleep.
Tonight, she stopped.
She was done.
***
After the gathering, Tharina returned to the Ashbourne estate.
Jolene had already seen everything. Her eyes were filled with pain and anger. She had already sent wolves to bring Malven back.
Soon, the communication stone lit up.
"Madam," the attendant’s voice trembled. "The young Alpha has recovered from his episode, but he says he is occupied. He drove our people away."
"He asked us to tell the Luna that he feels bad for exposing the girl publicly, so he will stay and comfort her."
"He also said the Luna handled things well tonight. Very reasonable. Removing the news so the girl would not feel embarrassed. He said she is finally becoming more…"
The stone was thrown to the ground.
Jolene’s hands shook with anger.
"That fool! When will this so-called illness end? Tharina, what you have endured… no one should bear this."
Tharina gently held her arm. Her voice was calm, but tired to the bone.
"Mother, I came tonight to ask for your agreement. I want to end this bond with Malven."
"Five years ago, my family fell. My father was dying. Your pack saved us. We owe you everything."
"Then Malven was injured, and he changed. He became wild and unstable. You asked me to stay, to help him return to himself."
"I agreed. I gave up my path, my training, everything. I stayed for him. I thought things were getting better. But the episodes continued. He kept forgetting me."
"I tried everything. But I cannot hold him anymore. And I will never make him stay."
Jolene’s eyes turned red as she pulled Tharina into an embrace.
"Our family has failed you. I promised your parents I would protect you. I never thought it would become like this."
"After the accident, he remembered no one but you. He searched for you like he had lost his soul. He refused every other mate."
"And now, when this illness appears, the only one he forgets is you."
Tharina almost spoke.
He never forgot?
But she swallowed the truth. Instead, she smiled faintly.
"Mother… I am tired."
Jolene sighed deeply. "Alright. I will respect your choice."
Tharina placed a hand over her lower belly. "There is one more thing. Please don’t tell him that I am carrying his pup."
Jolene froze. Her gaze dropped, then tears fell.
"You foolish girl. You carry his bloodline, yet you still want to leave?"
Tharina’s eyes misted, but she held back.
"This pup is not a tool. I will not let him grow in a broken bond. I can raise him. I can protect him."
"Don’t tell Malven. He cannot even remember me."
Jolene looked at her for a long moment, then nodded. "I will arrange everything. The separation, and your secret. This is what we owe you."
Tharina bowed her head slightly and turned away.
Behind her, Jolene whispered softly, "How did it come to this…"
Tharina paused for a brief moment. She remembered the Malven from before. The one who saw only her.
After the accident, he became someone else. A cold and unpredictable man. He would hurt her, then beg for forgiveness.
She had never blamed him. She had loved him without doubt.
But now she knew the truth. And her heart would never turn back to him again.
***
As Tharina stepped out, her communication stone lit up.
A large transfer of gold from Malven.
Then several voice messages.
In the background, there were soft, breathless sounds.
"My moon, you didn’t make trouble tonight. Good."
"My head hurt again, I mistook her for you."
"Send me that Silvermoon Regalia jewel set. She says I was too rough, nothing calms her. She really likes your collection."
