Thank you for reading. I will try to have one more tonight. Thank you for all the gems! This book ended at #1 in October's Gem Ranking for New Books. I appreciate all of you! ✨🦋
ADESSA.“I believe Miranda was the one who sold me to Alpha Draco,” I said in a soft voice, but enough for Kael to hear. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, and my heart began to thud loudly. I sank deeper into my seat, thinking if this was the part where he would shout at me for trying to smudge his stepmother’s name. “Listen first. I was inside the van, and they forced me to sign something—a paper. I didn’t even get a glimpse of whatever it was. I just signed because they pointed a gun at me.” He didn’t say anything or didn’t even look at me, but I could see his expression darken. “The car drove by to her home, and one of the men inside went out and gave her the paper I signed. I knew it was her. It was her home, and I saw her face. She took the paper from him.” “Your farewell letter...”“What?”“Did you write a farewell letter for me?”“No. The only things I left on your desk were the credit cards and the wedding ring. But then they put the ring into my pocket when we wer
ADESSA.“You were on the phone with me, and you didn’t tell me you were coming here?” Rasmus’ voice rang in the air after he barged into the living room of Aunt Aria’s home. “Maybe because I don’t trust you.” Kael rose from his seat next to me and turned to face him.“And yet you’re in my territory.” Rasmus scoffed.“I’m not here for you, but Aunt Aria.”“Enough, you two. We have a more pressing thing to discuss.” Aunt Aria stood up before walking toward her son, placing her hand on his chest and rubbing it softly. “What’s going on?” He asked his mother. “Have you watched the news lately?”“I don’t watch TV, you know that.” He replied. Aunt Aria moved away from him and picked up the remote control. She scanned the channels until she found one with a breaking news advisory.Kael’s hand grabbed mine and pulled me up from the couch before letting me stand in front of him. He gripped the corners of my shoulders, keeping me close to him.My face flashed on the TV, making me flinch, but
KAEL.“You need to be careful,” Adessa said. Her eyes softened, and even if she was trying to smile, I could see the worry in her expression. I raised my hand and let my knuckles run over her soft cheek. “You’ll be safe here. I will come back as soon as I can. Keep the phone I gave you close, and never call me unless they’re here. I will call you when I can.”She nodded. “I have to go.”“The last time you said goodbye to me, you came back unconscious, badly beaten, and on the brink of death.” Her eyes watered before she continued. “Can you make sure to come back alive?” I smiled and nodded before wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into a tight embrace. “I will come back alive. I have many things to make up for, and I need to get you out of this mess first.”She didn’t say anything, but I felt her squeeze my body as she hugged me tightly, as if she didn’t want to let go. I turned my head to the side and kissed the side of her cheek, but I let my lips linger there, wanting t
KAEL.I saw Dexter’s hand coiled on his sides. I met his gaze and told him what to do next. “Go to the bank first thing tomorrow morning and freeze all her accounts. I also want records of her transactions in the last two years, three if possible.”“I can do that,” Dexter said, nodding his head in respect. “Where is Luna Adessa?”“I don’t know,” I answered, leaning forward on my desk again. “I’ll be out for a week or two starting tomorrow.”“What?” They asked in unison. “Where are you going?” Dexter asked.“I have some business to attend to. All I need is a guarantee this pack will be handled efficiently.”“I don’t think you’ll have a problem with that. I’ve been managing this pack in your absence while you were in a coma, but I need to know your whereabouts and what else to expect.”“But you have Luna Adessa giving the final decisions for everything.” Landon butted him, debunking his words. Dexter’s forehead creased before he responded to that. “She has the last say, but we both kno
KAEL.I looked at the photos in my hands, and I still couldn’t believe everything that was revealed to me. The man who gave me this information had been gone for some time, and yet the conversation between us kept playing in my head. “I have the information about your girlfriend, Alpha Kael.” He said after I acknowledged his greetings. “Ex-girlfriend.” I corrected him before I pointed to the chair in front of my desk, motioning for him to sit down. “Let’s get to the point, as I don’t have the luxury of time today.”He nodded his head, then placed a brown envelope on the table and pushed it toward me before taking his seat. “That’s what I collected in the forty-eight hours that I followed her. She didn’t go anywhere besides that apartment. They went out three times—to a drive-through and bought groceries .”My forehead creased. “They?”“You will understand more once you see the photos inside.” Without saying anything more, I grabbed my letter opener and proceeded to open the envelope
KAEL.I left the territory after lunch. But before that, I met my staff at the Central Hall. I informed them I would be out of the territory for the next two weeks, and Alpha Rasmus would take charge of the pack in my absence.I could see they had questions about why Rasmus was needed, so before anyone could ask, I told them there was serious going on in the pack that needed a decision from an Alpha. They didn’t argue anymore or question that.But then someone asked about Adessa and what I knew about what happened to her. I was itching to tell them I would stand by their former Luna and support her, but I kept my opinion to myself. I reminded them that I would not entertain any more questions about her as her case was ongoing. It looked like I was turning my back on her. But it didn’t matter to me. It was enough that Adessa knew I was on her side.The last thing I wanted was for news to spread that I was defending her. The person handling her case might assume I was hiding her and inc
KAEL.Would I be strong enough to protect her? Or am I driving her into more danger? I wanted to mark her again to keep my wolf stronger than he already was. Regardless of whether it was fated or just a regular mate, the venom of an Alpha mixing with a female feeds strength to his wolf. I felt that when we rejected each other, a part of my wolf lost its strength. He was still strong, but he could be stronger. As much as I wanted to maximize my strength to protect her, the Moonlight Ball was specifically organized for unmated Alphas and females. She might not be allowed entrance if she had a mark on her neck. Rasmus was able to sneak in an invite for me because I finally confessed to him that Adessa and I were divorced. He asked why, but I told him I would explain when I came back. I had no choice. Aside from the ball, sooner or later, he would still find out through the news that she was no longer my Luna, as I was sure the investigators were already digging into her life. However
ADESSA.“A sleepy shifter won’t emit an aroused scent, Adessa,” Kael said, and I felt him move away from me. I remained still with my eyes closed, clutching my blanket tightly. I was so brave yesterday in telling him I would pleasure him as long as he returned safely, but I was cowering at the moment. What if he ended up not satisfied? What if I couldn’t make him cum?Or what if, like last time, we had sex and his mind drifted off to Desiree?Wait!Did he say he broke up with Desiree after he bought that ring back? “Kael?” I said in almost a whisper.“Hmmm…” He mummed. “Why did you break up with Desiree?”“I have a wife.” He answered in a monotone voice.“We are divorced.”“Because I decided hastily. I shouldn't have done that. If I didn't, then you're still my wife."I remained quiet, not knowing what to say."Up to this moment, I'm still trying to connect the dots on things I don't understand. Sometimes, I would knock my head onto something to see if I would end up remembering a
ADESSA.I was acting calm compared to the turmoil within me. Everything the King told me led to one thing: I had no freedom to choose who I would end up with. He was implying I should give up Kael and accept whoever ended up as my future husband. I had told him I had been married and that I was no longer pure. He said it didn’t matter anymore. He was sure everyone wanted to have the possibility of ruling Absalom. I felt like I was just a tool for Absalom. I wanted to tell him I didn’t care about his kingdom. I only wanted my husband.But how ironic my life had turned out. What was happening was exactly how my life started with Kael. I was also just a tool to save him—his ego and his heart—from being broken by Desiree. Only this time, I had no idea who I would be marrying. And at least with Kael, he asked me if I wanted to. I was not forced into marriage with him. My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up as we walked down toward the hall where the breakfast banquet was. I co
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