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KAEL.“Who gave Adessa to you as a gift?” I asked.I didn’t want to believe that anyone around me could have done this. But at this point, I knew everything was possible—even friends could be enemies in the shadow. Was she abducted by someone from my pack and handed to Draco’s brother? Or was she taken by them the moment she stepped out of my border?“Answer me!” My patience was running thin. Instead of answering, Draco let out a sarcastic chuckle and shook his head. “Are we friends?”I already knew what would come after this, and I was right. He would never tell me more. “Why would I tell you? I’m not going to help you weed out the snakes in your prairie, Kael. Go figure it out yourself.”I was so close to throwing another curse on his face, but I stopped myself. I didn’t want to add more to the arrogance in him. I would not let him laugh at me any more. “Then, I guess my time is up here.” I patted my Delta’s back and turned around, heading toward the car. “Are you not going to s
KAEL.“Was she sad when I was in a coma?”“She was miserable.” Landon glanced at me and gave me a weak smile before turning his attention back to the road. “Her eyes were always puffy by morning, so I knew she was crying herself to sleep. But she would still do her duties, running the household and making decisions for the pack. She lost weight. The colors in her eyes were gone. She would smile, but not the same smile she carried before. She kept her agony to herself, but she made sure the surroundings looked happy. She added more flowers around the house and your room so when you wake up, the house wouldn’t look dull.”The flowers that Miranda said were Desiree’s doing. This was, of course, a lie, as since Adessa left, the house had never had any fresh flowers around. “And you know what’s funny? She would dress up every day in blue because that’s your favorite color. She wanted to look pleasant in your eyes once you wake up.”“And I told her to fuck off when I did,” I mumbled under m
MIRANDA. I was supposed to be at my friend’s housewarming party, but I had to cut short my presence because my incompetent mate failed his task again. Dexter had only one job—to eliminate Kael before he realized who was running the show in his life—but he couldn’t do it perfectly. I was getting frustrated.He was supposed to eliminate Kael and Landon in the accident that took Kael's memory. For some reason, Landon didn’t drive Kael that day, and poor Onald became the victim. But Kael survived. Again.This was not the first time Dexter staged an accident for him. Dexter also attempted to set fire to one of the warehouses he and Kael visited. Kael was in the middle of the warehouse and was far from the exits when the fire broke out, but someone noticed it right away before it reached an explosion. No one was harmed, and Kael didn’t get even a scratch.Today, again, he failed.Dexter made sure he had an excuse to stay behind and let Landon drive them to their deaths, but like a cat wit
DELTA LANDON.“Adessa is in danger.” Alpha Kael said, and I wanted to jump out of my seat. What the fuck happened to his statement: “I can’t trust anyone at the moment?” I wanted to laugh, but the seriousness on the Alpha’s face made me swallow my chuckle. I had no idea what he planned to do, as he didn’t tell me anything, but I guess I just had to wait and see. “What do you mean Adessa is in danger?” Dexter asked. “Where is she?”“I thought she left.” Desiree butted in, her arms crossed against her chest. “Did she accidentally trip on her own feet and land face down on the ground full of shattered glass so she looks so awful that she became a danger to herself?”“Enough, Desire…” Miranda cut her off, and Desiree just rolled her eyes before letting out a huff.Miranda then turned her attention to the Alpha. “Where is she? And why is she in danger?” She sounded so concerned that I wanted to laugh again.If anyone here didn’t like Luna Adessa, Miranda would be the first on the line.
MIRANDA. I couldn’t believe Kael’s revelation!How on earth did he find Adessa? And why did Alpha Draco not call me to inform me that Adessa had escaped him?I was not sure if Adessa knew or met Alpha Draco when she was kidnapped or if she was able to run away before she realized where she would be taken. So I had to be careful, as she might have told Kael about him. Even if I wanted to confront Alpha Draco, I knew I shouldn’t do it, as Kael might be watching him closely if Adessa dropped his name. This was getting messier! Everything was spiraling out of my control. If Dexter had driven with him to Bayson City instead of planning the failed car accident, then he could have known where he had taken Adessa. But he was stupid to think the car accident timing should be today.Aah!I was fuming mad, and even if Dexter wanted a word with me after we left Kael’s office, I pushed him away as I thought Landon would come out of the office and might realize we were talking or had gone off som
KAEL.After my conversation with Landon, I asked him to drive me to the center. I bought a new phone and called Rasmus. It took three transfers before I was finally able to catch him. "Holy shit! Is that you? Damn, Kael, I thought you're already dead." He began as soon as our lines connected. I chuckled. "What do you mean?""I haven't heard from you for a long time. The last time I called you, Dexter said you went out hunting. I called three times that day, and you were still out hunting. I called a week later and was given the same reason." He snickered.It must have been during the time I was in a coma. I wondered why they didn't tell my closest family about my condition. "I didn't know hunting has been your new favorite pastime." He continued. "I thought no one can beat fucking, especially when you have a Luna...""I need help." I cut him off. As much as I wanted to joke around with Rasmus, I had no more energy today. Not when I had many things in my head."Should I feel hurt?
KAEL.“I don’t know. I can’t remember anything about her, but…” I paused.“But?” she asked.“But I crave her.” I didn’t know why I let those words slip out. I couldn’t even admit that to myself, but for some reason, it flew out of my tongue as if it were the general truth. Desiree’s chest heaved as her nose flared.In just two steps, she was in front of me. Her hand flew and landed on my cheek. She slapped me hard, and it sting. But it didn’t break anything within me. It didn’t rattle my senses, unlike when we were younger, whenever she was fuming mad at me. So I knew this was the end of us.I didn’t want to hurt her, but I also didn’t want to shower her with words she would rather hear. “Shame on you, Kael! Adessa tricked you into marrying her once, and she’s doing it all over again! And you’re just letting her! Who knows, maybe the danger she's in is just a game she's playing to get your attention!" She stopped to take a deep breath, but then she continued. “Oh, how I wish she was
ADESSA.It had been a week since I got here, more than two weeks since I left Kael, but the sickening feeling of someone watching me all the time had never faded. Being grabbed in a place I considered home and safe was traumatizing, and ending up killing two people was a never-ending nightmare I was still trying to get away from.Most nights, I would wake up sweaty and shaking as they invaded my sleep. The men I killed would crawl up from the ground and reach for me with their bloody hands. I had no idea what I feared most lately: being found by Alpha Draco’s men or dying from my nightmares.Why did it all come to this? All because I let Kael into my life. I didn’t see anything wrong with loving him. And whatever I did as his Luna was all done with a good heart. I never took advantage of my position nor talked down to anyone like how Miranda had always made it seem. Miranda. I wished I could tell people how badly she treated me. But of course, no one would believe me. She was the s
ADESSA.“This is your room from now on, Adessa.” The King’s voice came from behind me.I slowly turned around to curtsy before him. “Good morning, Father.” I almost said, “My King,” and I was glad I was able to catch myself as I wanted to make a good impression.He nodded but remained in his spot while I continued to smile warmly at him. “This room is for me?” I asked.“Yes.” He replied before he motioned with one hand. “Come here.”One man approached him and handed him a beautiful crown encrusted with clusters of small gemstones. It was sparkling, and just looking at it made my heart thud loudly.“This is a ceremony that should be witnessed by our people, but allow me to be selfish and have this moment alone with you. I will give you a grand coronation the moment you settle with a mate.” I bit my bottom lip. I almost got teary-eyed with his words, but the last part made me worry again.“Kneel down, Princess Adessa. Remember that the only time you will kneel before me is whenever I
ADESSA.I was not able to sleep at all last night. After Father left my room, I asked Danielle about the Royal Games. She confessed to me she didn’t know the full extent of the event and that what she knew was just hearsay or stories passed on. The Royal Games were not practiced for many decades because no princess had been born in the Royal Family for a long time.And it seemed the King was reviving the tradition because of my existence. Danielle told me what she knew about the game—it was open only for unmated Alphas, regardless of age. Unmated Alphas were those who were never married, as well as widowed or divorced. They were not only open for Alphas of this continent but also extended to other continents. All the while she was talking, I did my best to keep up a brave front, listening and trying to get all the details as possible, even if everything she said kept breaking my heart. I knew Kael loved me, and I was confident he would make an effort, but what if they didn’t le
ADESSA.“But I think you are the missing royalty,” Danielle added.“Why?”“This mark on your back. It looks exactly like the one that…” She paused, and when I tilted my head to look at her, her eyes widened, and her face turned red.“Like the one that? Like the one that someone has?” My brows furrowed. The King told me in passing that the birth marks on the backs of the royalties were not public knowledge. But maybe workers in the palace knew this thing. “Never mind.” She replied. “We should rinse off your body.”“Have you seen a mark like this?” I asked as I stood up, pointing to the red mark on my hip bone. She swallowed, and her face was turning more red. I already assumed many things. “From my father?” I teased her, and she immediately shook her head. “No. Of course not.” “So… from one of my brothers?” I leaned closer, enjoying the blush on her face. Despite the discomfort on her face, I could say this was the only thing that felt natural in my fairytale life at the moment.
Author's Note: This is officially part 2 of Adessa and Kael's story. The title will change to THE ROYAL LUNA from this chapter forward. ✨✨✨ADESSA.After they swabbed something inside my mouth, I was allowed to leave the room. The woman that came with the two men was named Danielle, and she was to be my handmaid. I was still trying to get a grip on what was happening. A part of me wanted to wish the Alpha King was wrong with his assumption that I was his missing daughter and that I was a princess so I could be free to look for Kael again, but making that wish reality could only mean more trouble for me. If I were not his daughter, he would surely have ordered me to go to prison. Either way, I was at the losing end. But maybe, if I were his daughter, not allowing me to see Kael would just be temporary. If I could explain to him our history, he would surely understand. I kept my hopes and head high as I followed Danielle along the long corridor until I realized we were heading for
KAEL. It had been hours since she was taken, and I had no idea where she was. King Essak returned to the ballroom and stayed for ten minutes, but I was not able to get to him. Unlike earlier, he was fully guarded this time. No matter how I tried to ask politely and professionally, I was not allowed to talk to him. And regardless of whether I positioned myself within his peripherals, the King would always avert his gaze away from me. Something was off. It was taking too much of me not to snap and create chaos. I was worried, but I knew that if I let out an outburst, I would be in a bad position. The last thing I wanted was to give them a reason to throw me out of the perimeter of the Absalom Palace. After the event, there was an after-party. I also went there, hoping to find Kevin or meet someone who could tell me anything about Adessa, but I was not successful. I then proceeded to Mindorf Manor, which served as the hotel for guests. Everyone invited to the Moonlight Ball had auto
ADESSA.“I’ve been looking for you for twenty years,” the King said, and it kept resonating in my ears.I looked at him, and slowly, the words came out of my lips. “Looking for me? For twenty years? I’m not sure I understand.”“Your mother’s name is Adelaine.”It was the woman’s name he mentioned earlier when he first saw me. “She was taller, but you look just like her. And even with that mask on, I could tell.”“My King, you must be mistaken.” I forced a smile despite the loud beating of my heart and the sweat on my palms. “This is not my real hair. And they put too thick makeup on me. What you see…”“I know what I felt.”I swallowed hard as my stomach churned. King Essak turned away and headed for the window. He looked outside while I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.“A King’s senses are heightened. My sense of hearing, reflexes, taste, everything. And I could feel a bond. I felt it for every one of my children that came into this world. I knew someone was born twenty y
ADESSA.“Will you tell the truth for all my questions, or do I have to use my command on you again?” He began.“I will not lie, my King,” I responded. “Good.” He then motioned with his hand, directing me to the couches. “Take your seat. Is it Savannah or Adessa?”With my head down, I headed for the nearby single couch and sat there. I tilted my head and found him looking at me, still standing where he was earlier. “Adessa. My name is Adessa Quijeros.” I replied, doing my best for my voice not to crack. “I killed two people from the Knight’s Stone Pack, but if you would let me explain…”He raised his hand, and it made me stop talking.“Enough.” That was all he said, and cold sweat formed everywhere on my body. He turned around and walked toward the table where a vintage telephone sat. Is he going to call someone to arrest me?I stood up abruptly. “My King!” This time, I couldn’t stop my voice from trembling. He placed a finger on his lips after he pressed a number, and I held my bre
ADESSA."Do you have a red mark on your back?" King Essak asked the moment he stopped in front of me. He asked in a low voice as if he didn't want anyone to hear.I saw many guards approaching and dispersing the crowd around us until it was just Kael and me with the Alpha King. I didn't see Alpha Draco anymore. "Do you have a red mark on your back?" The King repeated his question, snapping me back to the present. Then, a surge of strong current rippled through my body, and I knew he had used his King's command. I made the mistake of looking back into his eyes. I thought he would never use it on me. Only the Alpha King had this power, and from what I heard, he had never even used this to get any criminals to admit their crimes. He would leave judgment to his Court. But I had no idea why he was using this on such a trivial matter. Why was he asking me too many questions?"I do…" I answered in almost a whisper as I dropped my gaze to the floor.I had no choice; lying could cause me to
ADESSA.“Alpha King Essak,” Kael spoke in a voice full of confidence, and the hair on my skin rose. Did the Alpha King arrive? I was torn between turning around and keeping my eyes on Alpha Draco. I didn’t trust him, not a bit. And with Kael looking in a different direction from him, someone needed to keep an eye on him.But not turning around means disrespecting the Alpha King.So I did, slowly, so as not to make a scene. The Alpha King had his back slightly to me. “Alpha Kael, is that you?” King Essak’s deep and loud voice came, and the music lowered until I could barely hear it anymore.“I feel honored that you still remember me.” Kael bowed his head in respect. “A pleasure to see you tonight, Alpha King. If I may, I would like to address this matter directly. I want to request an audience with…”Kael was not able to finish his word when another man, who must be one of the King’s Guards, spoke and interrupted him. “Excuse me, Alpha. All requests for the King’s time should go to h