The Stand In Luna: Forgotten Mate

Melissa

He did not pressure me.

That was what unsettled me the most. The Alpha of Fallendawn Pack simply handed me a small card that night at the gathering. Thick black paper. One number written in silver ink.

“One contact,” he had said calmly. “And I will get you out of that prison you call a pack.”

At the time, I almost argued.

Nightfall had been my home for years. I had scrubbed its floors, memorized its hallways, learned the rhythm of its people. I had loved its Alpha with everything I had.

But as I stood there watching Alpha Warren laugh beside Arabella while calling me a maid in front of other Alphas, the word prison stopped sounding dramatic.

It sounded accurate. Still, I did not call immediately.

Leaving quietly would be too easy. Too merciful.

Alpha Warren, Arabella, and Hunter would simply continue their lives untouched. They would replace me publicly, rewrite the narrative privately, and I would become nothing more than a rumor.

No. If I was leaving, I would not leave empty-handed.

The very next morning, I filed an appeal against Hunter. The council clerk looked surprised when I appeared again at the courthouse, bandage still wrapped around my head.

“Are you certain?” he asked carefully.

“Yes,” I answered. “I have additional statements to submit.”

I did not tell him that I no longer expected justice from the court.

Afterward, I began gathering everything.

Screenshots of Warren’s messages with Arabella. His promise to break up with me. His confession that he only saw her in me. His plans. His strategy to “keep me away” from Fallendawn. Even CCTV footages inside the packhouse showing their infidelity. I sneaked in just to get everything, even though only the Alpha was allowed inside the room.

Five years of lies compressed into digital proof.

I stored copies in multiple places. Cloud storage. A hidden drive. An email draft.

If they tried to erase me, I would leave a mark.

Two days before his birthday, I approached him in his office.

He looked up briefly from the documents he was reviewing.

“Alpha,” I said gently, “it will be your birthday in two days. Aren’t you going to celebrate?”

He leaned back slightly. “We’re taking the higher officials on a trip out of the country. It’s more of a strategic retreat than a celebration.”

“And me?” I asked.

“You’re coming,” he replied without hesitation. “Tickets are already booked.”

Of course they were.

“I have a very special gift for you,” I added softly, tightening my grip around my phone in my pocket.

If he noticed the edge in my voice, he did not show it. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly.

“Hunter mentioned he saw you talking to Alpha Logan at the gathering. The Alpha of Fallendawn Pack.” His tone sharpened. “Did he say anything to you?”

So they were watching.

My pulse remained steady. “He greeted me. That’s all.”

He studied me for a long moment.

“Good,” he said finally. “Don’t talk to him again.”

He stood and walked toward me. Before I could react, his arms wrapped around me in a familiar embrace.

“I haven’t been giving you much attention lately, have I?” he murmured near my ear. “It’s because I’ve been busy taking care of our visitors. But you’re still my priority, Mel.”

His voice was soft. Warm. Almost convincing.

If I did not know about the messages. If I did not know about the plan. If I had not seen him defend Hunter in court.

I might have melted. I might have believed him again. God, I had been so stupid for so long.

“Of course,” I replied, forcing a faint smile. “I know, Alpha.”

I looked at him meaningfully. “I know.”

The day of his birthday arrived with unusual excitement in the packhouse. Suitcases rolled across marble floors. Warriors and officials chatted about beaches and foreign cuisine.

It looked like a celebration. It felt like a farewell.

I had already made my decision.

At the driveway, cars lined up to take us to the airport.

I walked toward the car Alpha Warren usually used. Arabella slipped in first, sitting beside him in the front passenger seat.

I moved toward the back seat, only to stop.

A giant teddy bear occupied most of the space. On the other seat, a sleek white cat rested inside a carrier.

Arabella turned toward me sweetly.

“I can’t sleep without my teddy bear,” she explained lightly. “And I couldn’t possibly leave my cat behind.”

Her eyes glinted. “Why don’t you hop into my brother’s car instead?”

My entire body went cold at the suggestion.

Hunter leaned casually against the second vehicle, watching us with an unreadable smile.

I forced myself to remain calm.

“That’s fine,” I said smoothly. “I actually booked a cab earlier. I have a few errands to run on the way.”

Arabella blinked, slightly surprised.

“Oh,” she said. “Well… don’t be late. You wouldn’t want to miss the fun.”

Fun. I almost laughed.

The cab arrived within minutes. As it pulled away from the packhouse, I did not look back.

Halfway to the airport, I made a call.

“Sun News,” a man answered briskly.

“I have a story for you,” I said quietly. “About the Alpha of Nightfall Pack.”

Silence. Then interest sharpened his tone.

“I’m listening.”

I explained everything. The engagement. The cheating. The messages. The court case. Hunter’s attempted assault. The witness testimony.

“I have evidence,” I added. “Screenshots. Documents.”

He exhaled slowly.

“This is… tasty,” he admitted. “Send everything. We’ll verify. If it checks out, this will be ready before midnight.”

Before midnight. Perfect.

After hanging up, my phone rang again.

Unknown number. I answered.

“Ready?” The voice was calm and deep. It was Alpha Logan.

I stared out the window as the airport came into view.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Good,” he said. “My people are expecting you.”

At the airport, the group gathered near the boarding gate. Laughter. Excitement. Selfies.

Alpha Warren looked relaxed. Arabella clung to his arm like she already owned him.

Near boarding time, I stepped forward.

“I need to use the restroom,” I said.

Arabella smiled. “Hurry. You wouldn’t want to miss the plane.”

She had no idea.

I walked away calmly. But instead of turning toward the restroom, I headed in the opposite direction.

Different terminal. Different airline. Different destination.

My hands trembled slightly as I approached the check-in counter for Fallendawn’s flight.

Once I received my boarding pass, my phone began ringing relentlessly.

Alpha Warren. Again. And again.

Then messages flooded in.

Where are you?

Boarding has started.

Melissa, answer me.

I powered off my phone.

Then, with steady fingers, I removed my old SIM card and dropped it into the trash bin. I inserted the new one Alpha Logan’s assistant had provided.

A clean break. As I sat in my seat on the plane bound for Fallendawn territory, I finally allowed myself to breathe.

The cabin lights dimmed slightly. My new phone buzzed.

I answered.

“I’m already on the plane,” I said quietly.

Alpha Logan’s voice was steady. “Good.”

I glanced out the window at the runway lights.

“This time,” I continued, “they must be having fun together without me.”

A faint smile curved my lips.

“But they’ll taste their own medicine tonight.”