Chapter 1

ADESSA: I should have known better that nothing good lasts forever. Especially for someone like me—a lowly, orphaned Omega.

The last year has been so perfect that I thought I had finally found my place in this world, right in the arms of my mate, Alpha Kael.

Kael chose me to be his Luna out of revenge to the female who broke his heart. His reasons didn't matter to me. And though I knew he could never love me the same way he loved Desiree, I have nothing to complain about. Kael was the ideal mate—the perfect Alpha. I was lucky to be his.

I was so immersed in the bubbles of my perfect world that I forgot he was never mine in the first place. When tragedy struck, and he awoke with no memory of us, I found myself alone in the shambles of my dreams, witnessing the man I loved walk away with the woman who had broken him.

In the blink of an eye, I was back in the same place I was before I met him.

KAEL: My life has always been perfect. I am the Alpha of one of the strongest packs on this side of the country and betrothed to the woman who will be the perfect Luna to stand beside me. So when I woke up with no memory of the last two years of my life, married to a woman I had never met and couldn't remember, I began to question everything around me. I wanted nothing to do with her.

She is not the Luna I envisioned to end up with.

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THIS IS A STANDALONE NOVEL AND NOT CONNECTED TO MY PREVIOUS BOOKS/SERIES.

Follow me on my socials for updates and teasers — author.cassa.m.

Chapter 01

ADESSA.

I should have known better that nothing good lasts forever. Especially for someone like me—a lowly, orphaned Omega.

The last year has been so perfect that I thought I had finally found my place in this world—right in the arms of my mate, Alpha Kael.

Fated mates are a rarity, and for a wolfless Omega like me, the chances are, I would never find my fated mate. Without a mate destined for me, I thought I was bound to walk this earth alone. Because I was sure no one would take a chance on me.

But then I met Alpha Kael, and on that same day, he offered me a contract to be his Luna—to save his pride and his name from the betrayal of his fiancee, Desiree.

I had just turned eighteen and was legally allowed to marry while the Alpha was already twenty-seven years old. Everyone around him was pushing him to settle down.

He had already proposed to Desiree, but it turned out she had been cheating on him for a long time.

He caught her in bed with another man when she said she was out on a girl’s night out.

I found the Alpha, or, more appropriately, the Alpha found me by the river on the same day he discovered his fianceé’s infidelity. That day, I was trying to catch some fish in the stream. I left the orphanage a few months ago and was on my own.

I was given a small cabin somewhere in the forest by my boss in the small cafeteria that I worked for. It was shabby, but it kept me warm at night so I wouldn’t be complaining, but then my salary wouldn’t be available until the next week, so I decided to find food in nature. I had already picked up some wild fruits and was hoping to catch a fish I could grill.

What started as a task so I could eat ended up being an adventure. I found myself having fun while trying to pin down a cod.

Until I sensed someone was watching me.

I found Alpha Kael standing at the river bank, smiling as he watched me make a fool of myself.

I should have been terrified as he was a stranger, but for some reason, I wasn’t.

No words came between us, and I just found myself laughing. The next thing I knew, he was already down in the water, teaching me techniques on how to catch one. We did end up catching two fish that night, and I invited him to my home.

I was comfortable in his presence and had no idea he was the Alpha of the territory, as I had never seen him or any photos of him. So when he finally told me he was Alpha Kael of the Ironcrest Pack, I was dumbfounded.

But the surprise didn’t end there.

Kael asked me to be his Luna. I never imagined that someone like me could receive such an offer. Before I had the chance to decline or even hesitate, Kael assured me that if I helped him get his pride back from his fianceé’s betrayal, I would receive a mate and a pack in return. And that I would no longer have to hunt for something to eat.

I didn’t know what came to me that night, but I said yes.

Maybe because I didn’t want to hunt for food anymore. Or maybe because I was smitten with the Alpha.

The next thing I knew, he was already holding my hand and introducing me to his household as the future Luna of the Ironcrest.

The marriage came a week later. I wore a white lace gown, and Kael was dashing in his black suit. No one would have thought that it was all a contract because the ceremony and the afterparty were so intimate that it even made me believe the Alpha had feelings for me.

The marriage with Kael was something out of a fairy tale, and I thought I already found my happily ever after, but then there were things that were not bound to happen.

I thought accepting his offer to be his Luna would mean I would get a mate and a pack. But the last part didn’t happen. His pack didn’t know about Desiree’s infidelity, and Kael wouldn’t tell them. So, in the end, I was seen as the other woman. The girl who took the Alpha away from his real chosen mate.

Rumors spread out that I seduced him. That I was part witch and enchanted him.

Kael didn’t do anything to suppress these rumors. He said it would die on its own. I guess it did, but only when the Alpha was around. Because I was sure they still talked about me. I would always be the homewrecker for them.

As much as I wanted to tell everyone the one they wanted for a Luna was not who they thought she was, I couldn’t. I promised Kael that what he told me about Desiree would be a secret I would take to my grave.

So I swallowed everything I heard and continued to play my role as the perfect Luna even if I felt I was not welcome. I used the animosity they gave me to better myself. I learned the ways of the pack and the role of a Luna. I assisted Kael with his work if he needed one and offered to handle small projects so he would not need to think about them and could focus on bigger projects as well as the security of the pack.

I knew nothing when I came here, but in just a year, I learned everything about the pack and the things I needed to do so I could work perfectly in sync with the Alpha despite the lack of confidence in me from everyone who worked alongside him.

It had been a year, and although most had not warmed up to me yet, they acted civilly in front of me. Eventually, I got used to it, and I started not to mind them because whatever attention the pack never gave me, I got tenfold from the Alpha.

Kael kept true to his words that I would get a mate in the true sense of the word.

In the beginning, there were days he would miss Desiree, and he would be honest about it. He would let himself be vulnerable in my arms. I’d given him the shoulder he needed while he grieved and my body to satisfy his cravings.

Alpha Kael was my first in everything.

He was my first kiss. My first sexual experience. Upon knowing that, he made sure to be careful and take care of me. I had nothing to complain about.

He was the perfect Alpha. The perfect mate.

Everyone else didn’t matter anymore because I have him. He was enough—more than enough.

I would not deny that I had fallen in love with him. Although I knew he didn’t feel the same way, I was happy. He had never abandoned or cheated on me. He was faithful in the whole year that we were together.

Everything was perfect between us—until Desiree returned to the territory and Kael was involved in a car accident.

Chapter 02

ADESSA.

“The Alpha woke up!” Dexter, Kael’s Beta, yelled from the living room.

My body went rigid as the words slowly sank in. I immediately left the housemaid I was speaking to in the kitchen and rushed to our bedroom.

Kael, my mate, had a car accident a month ago and went into a coma. His condition was getting better, and recently, he began falling in and out of consciousness. He would wake up for a few minutes and stare blankly. He wouldn’t speak, or he wouldn’t even look at anyone. And then he would fall into a deep sleep again.

I continued with my routine to keep the household going while his Beta and Delta were doing their best to run the pack. But since I was the Luna, all the final decisions were up to me.

I kept a brave face to everyone, but in the silence of our room at night, I would cry myself to sleep. I missed him and the security of his presence.

I wanted him back.

I haven’t given up hope that one day he will wake up and everything will be back to normal.

It seemed that day was today. He finally woke up and began talking.

But returning to normal didn’t happen. At least the way I wanted it to be.

“Don’t touch me. Who are you?” He asked. His voice was as cold as the winter night. He was staring at me with furrowed brows as if I had committed a heinous crime against him.

I rushed to our bed, and I couldn’t stop myself from holding him. I was about to hug him when he growled at me.

Kael hated being touched and was never affectionate with anyone except me. He was a fair and good Alpha, but he kept his distance. But never with me. I was allowed to hold him or hug him in public, putting on a show that we were in love. His smiles would always just be reserved for me.

It seemed he had forgotten that.

“I’m... I’m Adessa.” I answered as I forced a smile despite the tears stinging my eyes. I was so happy to hear him talk.

“Are you my nurse? I don’t think I allowed anyone to just grab me like that...”

“I’m your Luna...” I said, trying to meet his gaze.

The room fell silent, and I felt it closing in on me as his eyes dilated before a scowl covered his whole face.

“What the fuck?” He growled once more, and his eyes went to his Beta, who was standing behind me. “Where is Desiree?”

“Alpha, calm down. I will answer all your questions, but let’s wait for your physician. He’ll be here in a couple of minutes.” Dexter told him.

“Call Desiree and tell her to come here. Or take me to her!” His words cut deep into my soul.

My jaw tightened as I blinked back the tears pooling in my eyes. I tilted my head up as I met his gaze again. “You placed an order not to allow Desiree inside this house.”

“Am I asking for your opinion?” His nose flared as he glared at me, but before any hateful words could leave his mouth, the door opened, and his stepmother came in.

Kael’s father died when he turned twenty-four, and he immediately took the position of the Alpha. His stepmother, Miranda, stepped down as Luna but had never stopped acting as one, even after my marriage with Kael.

She would always be the first one to complain about anything about me or things I’d decided on. She only stopped when Kael requested for her not to meddle with my decisions. He also gave her a home so she could move out.

Kael’s act only fueled her hatred for me.

And yes, she never stopped letting me know that Desiree was a far better choice than me.

“They said the Alpha woke up?” She asked as she walked in without even throwing me a glance.

She was followed by her Omega, who rolled her eyes upon seeing me. She hated me for being an Omega like her and a Luna.

“Miranda, where is Desiree? And why is the woman here claiming to be my Luna?” Kael asked her, and it was getting harder to fight my tears.

The former Luna’s eyes widened as her eyes darted to Beta Dexter.

“He can’t remember the Luna, but his physician…” Dexter was not able to finish his words because Miranda had already cut him off.

“Desiree is on her way here. She just went to check the flower shop that delivers flowers here every three days to decorate your room, but she’ll be here soon.” She said sweetly as she stood beside his bed, a wide smile playing on her face.

That was a lie. I was the one organizing the flowers around this room because I wanted him to wake up to a beautiful view and for him to know, I was always longing for him.

“I don’t think it’s fair to give credit to someone who has never stepped foot in this house for a whole year. “

“What do you mean?” Kael asked.

“As I said earlier, you ordered not to let her inside the house. The flowers you see around here are my…”

“Take the Omega away from here, and she’s not allowed to enter this room until Kael orders so,” Miranda said firmly, looking at the Beta.

“You can’t do that. I’m the Luna of this pack and the mistress of this house.” I spoke as my chest heaved.

My eyes went to Kael, who still had a dark expression on his face. He was just looking at me.

“Beta Dexter, I said take her away from here. It is not good if Desiree sees her when she comes.” Miranda kept talking, motioning with her hand while glaring at Dexter.

“I said I’m not going,” I said firmly before looking at Kael again. “Kael, please tell Miranda…”

“Alpha Kael…” He cut me off before I could finish, and his deep, cold voice sent shivers down my spine. “Leave…”

My jaw tightened at his order, and my heart shattered to pieces.

“You don’t remember me, and yet you’re not going to ask me anything about how I ended up here?”

“I said leave!” He was almost growling.

A hand snaked on my arm, and I tilted my head slowly to look at the Beta. I waited for Kael to growl or reprimand Dexter for holding me as he would on occasions that the Beta accidentally held me. He would never let any male touch me. But he did nothing this time.

“Let’s go, Adessa,” Dexter said.

He dropped the title Luna from my name. It was then that I knew I was losing this battle.

I took one last look at Kael as I pivoted my body to follow Dexter’s guide, and my heart just broke again. He wasn’t even looking at me. He was already in conversation with his stepmother as if I were just a waste of space, not worthy of being looked at as I exited his room—our room.

I slowly pulled my arm away from Dexter as we walked the corridor. “You will tell him about me, right?”

“Yes, I will. But I cannot force him to believe anything.”

“I want to be there when his doctor arrives. I want to hear what he has to say about his condition.”

“That decision lies with Kael.”

“But he can’t remember me! So, of course, he will not let me be there!” I snapped at him.

“There’s nothing I can do, Adessa.”

“Luna Adessa!” I gritted my teeth, trying to suppress my anger.

“Just Adessa…” He replied. “Until the Alpha asks me to address you as Luna again.” He gave me a smug smirk before turning his back to me.

Chapter 03

ADESSA.

The whole day went by in a blur. People came and went. Everyone was fussing over Kael. I had attempted to reach out to him, but Miranda blocked me all the time.

There was a time when I screamed at her out of frustration, and it was the scene Kael accidentally witnessed. Of course, he didn’t like it.

So, instead of letting me speak with him, he took his stepmother, who kept pretending I was the mean one, and they left the house. I had no idea where they went, and no matter who I asked around, no one could tell me.

So I didn’t get any sleep at all. I watched the clock tick, and the moment it hit six in the morning, I was already up and began managing the housemaids in the kitchen, hoping Kael would be back for breakfast.

Breakfast came and went, and there was still no sign of him.

After eating, I went to my office and called the central hall to check if he went there, as he would usually do during work days. But he didn’t. They were actually surprised to find out he had woken up.

So, up to this moment, I had no idea where he was, and I couldn’t reach Dexter, who went home after Kael and Miranda left the house yesterday.

I was pacing back and forth, contemplating my next move, when I heard the sound of an approaching car.

I walked toward the window and peered outside. My office window was facing the parking lot, so I saw Miranda’s car driving in her assigned parking space.

My heart began thudding loudly as if it would jump out of my chest. I didn’t like it. It felt like an omen that something terrible was about to happen.

Miranda exited the car and was followed by another man, but not Kael. It was Mr. Toledo, Kael’s attorney and legal advisor.

What is he doing here? And where is Kael?

Goosebumps rose from the skin at the thoughts that flooded my head. I tried to shake it off when I heard another sound of an approaching car.

It took a while before Dexter’s car came into view, and the moment the backseat door opened, I already knew why I was feeling agitated. Kael got out of the first before he laid out his hand to someone.

And I was right, she was here.

Desiree placed her hand on his, and soon they were holding hands. I didn’t see any more because a knock came through the door. I turned away from the window and walked back to my table.

My heart was breaking, but I couldn’t let them see that. I cleared my throat before allowing the person outside.

Miranda entered my office, followed by Mr. Toledo.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” I asked as I eased back in my chair.

“You need to sign this document so we can all move forward,” Miranda said as she strutted toward me and dropped a clear folder on my table.

My gaze slowly shifted from her to the document in front of me. I didn’t need to open it. I could clearly see what’s inside the folder.

Divorce papers.

“Sign it,” she said arrogantly.

“No,” I answered firmly.

“Kael wants a divorce.”

“He’s the one who wants to divorce, then he should be the one asking for it. He’s not a baby anymore that needs his nanny to do things for him.”

Miranda hissed as her eyes narrowed. “Look at you. You have grown horns in just over a year. Kael no longer wants you…”

“Kael doesn’t remember me, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t want me,” I told her in the same arrogant voice she was using, even if I didn’t believe my own words.

“Really? Well, if you don’t know who he spent the night with, let me tell you. He was with Desiree, and they were excited to be with each other. You could only imagine what they did together.”

“Really? I didn’t know Kael and Desiree would stoop that low and cheat on me when everyone in this pack knows he is still married to me.” I told her sarcastically, masking my pain at the thought of them being intimate.

Her palms slammed against the desk as she glared at me. “Sign the damn paper, Adessa. Do not piss me off!”

I grabbed the folder and rose from my seat before heading toward the door, ignoring her words.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“To my dear husband. I want to know what he’s been up to.”

I could still hear Miranda talking, but I had already walked out of my office and shut the door. I prepared myself for the worst because I knew Desiree was with Kael.

But even if I did my best, I still came unprepared when I walked into his office and found Desiree sitting on his lap, talking to him in her angelic voice — the exact opposite of her attitude.

This was not my first encounter with her. A few weeks after my wedding, I bumped into her a number of times, and in every instance, she attempted to harass me in public by calling me names.

“I want to speak with my husband,” I said in a cold tone, and their heads snapped to look at me.

“Don’t you know how to knock?” Desiree asked in a mocking voice.

“Don’t you know how to be decent? You are worried about me invading my husband’s office when you should be checking yourself because you’re sitting on his lap.”

“Adessa…” It was Kael. He didn’t say anything to her, but he must have motioned for her to stand up because she lazily got up from him.

“Tell her to leave. I want to discuss things with you.”

Kael took a deep breath and looked at Desiree. They stared at each other for a while before he nodded his head.

Desiree pouted, her shoulders slumping, but I knew it was all for the act. I didn’t move until she was out of the office. After her, I closed the door and walked toward Kael’s table, sliding the folder onto him.

“So, you want a divorce,” I stated. I was trying my best to keep my voice from breaking.

Chapter 04

ADESSA.

“So, you want a divorce,” I stated. I was trying my best to keep my voice from breaking.

“Adessa, I have a fiancée.” He said in a calm tone.

“You had a fiancée a year ago, but you have a wife now.”

“I can’t remember anything about you, and I am sure it is Desiree that I want, not anyone else.”

“Did you forget what she did to you?” I asked.

Instead of answering my question, he threw one back to me. “Tell me, did I love you? Are we together because we are in love?”

I swallowed. I could lie and tell him we were, but lying was not part of our relationship. We had always been honest with each other.

“No,” I answered, keeping my head high.

“Thank you for your honesty. So are we together for convenience? Or what? But it doesn’t matter anymore. Whatever reason brought us into this marriage, let’s forget about it. I want a divorce, Adessa. I never wanted to marry anyone I didn’t love. It was not how I grew up. I had always envisioned Desiree as my Luna.”

His words were too painful to bear. He was still obviously in love with her.

I nodded my head as I did my best to stop my tears from falling. There was no use telling him I loved him. I would only make a fool of myself.

“So this is what I get after you pull me from my simple life and drag me to yours. Now that you have no need for me, I will just be discarded as if I were just a piece of trash.”

“You will be compensated for your time.”

He was surely insulting me. “I don’t need your money.”

He didn’t say anything, but his jaw kept twitching.

“What did she promise you this time? Maybe I can counter it.”

“Adessa, let Desiree out of this. This is between you and me.”

“Of course, this is certainly about her.” I took a deep breath before I continued. “You disappoint me, Kael. I had always thought highly of you, but this game you’re playing is not amusing anymore.”

He didn’t say anything, but his forehead creased.

“Did you think I didn’t feel that you suddenly became cold when Desiree came back to the territory? You became unavailable for me. You were always out of the house and not in the central office either. I didn’t even know where you were most of the time. And then the next thing I knew, you were in a coma. Now you woke up with no memory of me. Just me.” My tears finally fell, but I wiped them with the back of my hand as I met his stare. “Just tell me if you don’t want me anymore. Stop playing me for a fool.”

“Adessa…”

I dropped my gaze from him and grabbed the folder. I opened it and took the pen that was lying on his desk. My hand was shaking while I signed the divorce paper.

After signing, I closed my eyes for a brief second to stop more tears from coming before I faced him again.

“I, Adessa Quejeros Daeyra, reject you, Alpha Kael Daeyra, as my mate.” My body jolted slightly, and pain hit my chest.

A low growl escaped from his throat as his hand went to his torso. It is always the person being rejected who gets most of the pain.

This was the only pain I could give him, but I was sure it was nothing compared to the pain of my broken heart.

My hands balled into tight fists as I tried to steady myself. I closed my eyes before I continued with the process. “And effective today, I am stepping down as your Luna and the Luna of the Ironcrest Pack.”

I waited for him to accept the rejection, but he didn’t say anything. I slowly opened my eyes and saw him looking at me.

“End my pain, Kael…” I said in a low voice.

His jaw tightened, and there were many things flitting in his eyes, but my senses were already clouded with pain that I didn’t bother to read his emotions anymore. “Accept my rejection, Alpha Kael.”

“I, Alpha Kael Daeyra, accept your rejection, Adessa Quejeros. You are no longer my Luna and no longer the Luna of the Ironcrest Pack…” He spoke his words softly, but it was echoing in my head.

I dropped my gaze from him before he could see my tears. The bond was breaking, and it was taking too much of me not to fall on my knees.

I turned away from him and walked toward the door, trying my best not to falter from my steps. I held the handle but didn’t turn it. Instead, I spoke without looking at him. “You met me in the river while I was trying to catch fish for dinner. On that same night, you asked me to be your Luna because you found Desiree in bed with another man. I saved you from her, and you saved me from hunger.”

I opened the door before I continued speaking. “Thank you for the one year, Alpha Kael.”

I didn’t wait for him to acknowledge my words. I left his office and let my tears roll down my cheeks.

A part of me regretted signing the divorce papers and rejecting him, but there was only so much a person could take. Even before he lost his memory of me, I already felt him slipping away. Maybe he realized he still wanted her, and I was on the way — that I needed to go.

I didn’t want to stay where I was not wanted, especially by the person I thought was on my side. Maybe Miranda was right — it was time to move on.

This was the end of Kael and me.

Chapter 05

ADESSA.

I went to my office after I signed our divorce paper. I knew I should go, but I had many things in my hand that I didn’t want to leave without giving instructions about them.

I took my time to write the next step and the necessary confirmations for each matter I personally handled while he was in a coma. I knew I could tell him directly, but I didn’t want to see him anymore.

I spent my whole day in my office, just waiting for someone to kick me out of the house, but it never came. So I also took the chance to make some calls to find a small apartment where I could go after I left this house.

Kael didn’t say anything about when I should go, but I was planning to stay at least until tonight and leave before dawn.

I didn’t want anyone to see me leaving.

Fortunately, no one disturbed me in my office. It was already nine o’clock in the evening when I finished all of the things I had prepared for him and his pack. I didn’t have lunch and dinner, and by the time I was already in bed, my stomach was growling from hunger.

It was almost midnight, and I was sure the whole house was already sleeping.

I had no idea if Desiree was here, as I didn’t meet anyone after my encounter with Kael. But my woman instinct was telling me she was because Kael was already free of me. So, there was nothing stopping them from being together anymore.

I shoved my blanket and rose from the bed. As much as I didn’t want to leave my room, my hunger wouldn’t let me sleep.

I carefully walked the corridor, hoping I wouldn’t meet anyone, when I heard footsteps by the stairs and something bumping against the wall.

I remained frozen in my spot, expecting the worst. What if it was them? Wrapped up in each other’s arms, kissing each other? I was sure that was possible because, in many instances, Kael carried me in his arms from the ground floor to our room while we devoured each other’s mouths.

I was still contemplating if I should turn around when Kael finally came into view.

He was alone.

And on the way his body was bumping and pressing on the wall, I could tell he was drunk. He drinks occasionally, but not so heavily as this.

“Adessa!” He exclaimed when he saw me.

“Kael.”

“I thought you left.”

“I am leaving tomorrow.”

“Sssh… Nonsense. This house is too big. Stay.”

My eyebrows raised as I watched him approach me. I had never seen him this drunk, so I had no idea how he usually acted in this condition.

“I have a big problem,” he said as he stopped in front of me. “I have two women in my house, and I’m only one. Imagine that, two!”

He raised his hand and showed me three fingers before he chuckled. “Oh fuck, I don’t know how to count anymore.”

“Kael, you’re drunk. Go to bed.”

“Tell me, my beautiful wife. Did I drink while we were together?”

Ì nodded. “But not as drunk as you are now.”

“Hmmm, does it mean I never had problems while I was with you?”

“Maybe…”

“I only drink hard when I don’t know what to do with my life.”

“You should go to bed. It’s late.” My eyes pooled with tears. If what he was saying was true, then at least I knew I never gave him a problem until now.

“Are you not going to scold me? A wife does that when their husband drinks too much.”

“Kael, I’m not your wife anymore.”

“Says who?”

“I’ll take you to your room,” I told him. This act he was playing was just breaking my heart.

“Sssh… Desiree is in my room.” He put his finger on his lips, telling me to be quiet.

My forehead creased. There was no way I would voluntarily return Kael to her, so instead, I made a detour and took him to one of the guestrooms at the farthest end of the second floor. The same floor of the room I was occupying.

“♫🎜What day is it? And in what month? This clock never seemed so alive…🎝♬”

Kael was singing while we walked through the corridor and into the room. I couldn’t help smiling, yet my eyes were getting misty.

I would miss this. I’d miss the way he’d sing at me whenever I was upset with him. It was his way of making me laugh because, for the life of me, he couldn’t carry a tune.

“♫🎜And it’s you and me and all of the people. And I don’t know why I can’t keep my eyes off of you. 🎜🎝”

I lowered his body onto the bed, but his arm snaked around my waist so that he was able to take me with him, and I landed on top of him.

“Kael…” My voice came out throaty as my heart thudded loudly. It had been over a month since we became intimate, and with the situation we were in, I had no idea why the thought of sleeping with him crossed my mind.

I should learn to forget him. I should move on.

But maybe for tonight, I will let my eyes devour him. He was still singing with his eyes closed, and both his arms were now holding my body closer to him.

My hands on his chest were my leverage, so I could keep staring at him, trying to memorize his features.

All of a sudden, his eyes snapped open, and then he stopped singing. His hand on my waist moved up to cup the nape of my neck, and before I could think straight, he had already pushed my head closer.

Our mouths crashed against each other.

Chapter 06

ADESSA.

I was staring at the ceiling, even if I couldn’t see anything in the darkness. Kael was snoring beside me. It was louder than usual, probably because he was too drunk.

I knew I should get up and leave his bed because he might not like it if he saw me beside him. However, a part of me wanted to stay because what happened between us gave me hope.

He couldn’t remember me, but his body surely knew how to move against mine.

Kael would always start slowly and carefully in our lovemaking. Then, he would amp up his pace and take me wildly. He knew all the right places to touch me, and he knew all the right words to say to make me whimper in ecstasy. And he did all of that tonight.

I think I should stay and sleep beside him.

I couldn’t wipe the smile on my face even after I closed my eyes and hugged him tightly. He purred softly before he turned to his side, facing me and wrapping his arms around me, tucking my head under his chin as he would usually do.

It had been too long since he hugged me, and I knew I would definitely have a good sleep tonight. So I let his warmth envelope me, cocooning me to sleep.

…….

“Aaah…” Kael’s grunts woke me up.

My eyes snapped open, and my body immediately jolted. I sat up to look at him. Fear coursed through me because I remembered he was in a coma, and I thought he was having a seizure until everything that happened in the last 24 hours sank in.

My eyes darted to the clock on one of the shelves, and I saw it was already three in the morning.

His eyes were closed. It looked like he was dreaming.

“Aaah…” He continued moaning, and sweat was forming on his forehead. His groans sound so sexual, like the one he would let out when we were having sex.

Is he having wet dreams?

I raised the blanket and peered inside, letting the light of the moon cascading from the window light up the area I wanted to see. I was right — he was sporting a hard erection.

A smile curled on my lips before my eyes widened because, suddenly, his fingers wrapped around his manhood. He kept groaning as he began moving his hand up and down.

The sight and sound coming from him caused tingles to spread throughout my thighs. It excited me, but before I could decide what to do next, he mumbled something.

A name.

And it wasn’t mine.

“Desiree…” It was so low, but enough for me to hear and enough for me to freeze.

My mouth hung open as I dropped the blanket I was holding, and I inched backward on my butt, away from his side. My lips quivered as I stared at him.

“Desiree..” He repeated.

I didn’t hear him wrong. He was moaning her name.

My heart shattered as my eyes watered. I carefully got out of bed and picked up my clothes, which Kael tossed everywhere around the room before slipping them on. I didn’t even give him a second look as I walked out of the room and headed for mine.

So many thoughts were running through my head while my body moved on its own, grabbing every private belonging that I planned to take with me and stuffed them inside my small luggage.

I made a fool of myself again.

Why did I ever think he enjoyed having sex with me last night? I was so lost in my own ecstasy that I didn’t notice he didn’t even once utter my name while we were in the act. All along that he was touching and fucking me, he thought it was Desiree under him and not me.

My tears had stopped falling as the pain in my chest was replaced by anger.

I had no one to blame but me. I kept living in my own fantasy that one day, Kael would fall in love with me. He didn’t when he knew everything about me, so why did I think he would when he couldn’t remember me?

I didn’t know what to think anymore. All I knew was I was a victim of a cruel game or circumstances.

I looked around the room, making sure it was as tidy as when I came in, before I walked out of the door and through the corridor.

I trod down the stairs and along the hallways of the house, which had witnessed the smiles and laughter that I shared with him. Even our random fights were a memory to behold.

The one year wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t meant to last forever.

My heart was heavy, but I knew I didn’t want to stay here anymore.

Before Kael, I was on my own, and I managed to survive. I could do it again. I learned a lot during my stay, and I was grateful for that. I learned to be confident in my skin and not let anyone take advantage of me. I will make sure to put it to good use.

It was the same reason I needed to leave. I would not let him and Desiree, or even Miranda, make fun of me.

I tilted my head up and refused to shed more tears, nor did I give in to looking around. I didn’t want more memories clouding my head. I should focus on making new memories.

I didn’t bother to call a cab, as I knew there were many passing by even at this hour, as Kael made sure transportation was accessible 24/7 for those who didn’t have cars or the capacity to drive.

I would have to walk around 200 meters to get to the next taxi stop, but I didn’t mind. I needed air. I needed to breathe.

I had no idea where I would go from here. The apartment owner I spoke with this morning could give me the key to his vacant room in three days as he was out on vacation. So, in the meantime, I needed to find a hostel where I could stay.

I didn’t have so much money with me. I only had cash as I didn’t take my cards. I left them all in Kael’s office before I went to bed. I also left the wedding ring that he gave me on his table, as it was his family’s heirloom. It was his mother’s before he gave it to me on our wedding day.

I was still halfway away from the taxi stop when the sound of screeching tires reached my ears.

I immediately jumped out of the way and into the bushes because it felt like it was heading my way. I hissed loudly as I landed on my butt, and at the same time, a black van stopped a few inches from where I was standing earlier.

I pushed my body up from the ground despite the pain I felt. I was about to knock on the car’s door when it slid open, and before I knew it, I was pulled in, and I landed on someone’s body.

I struggled and screamed, but I guess it didn’t help as the door was already shut, and my hands were immediately bound on my back before a cloth was tied around my mouth, suppressing me from making any sounds.

Chapter 07

ADESSA.

After I was pulled inside the van, I ended up in a very awkward position. I was seated but lying down on my side and with my hands tied behind me. It was harder to move. I struggled to break free for a while, but it was useless, so I slowed my breathing and did my best to calm down.

I didn’t want to freak out. I didn’t want to give them any reason to hit me and make me unconscious.

And I guess it worked.

The man beside me pulled me up and helped me sit straight before tugging away the cloth around my mouth. “Sign this.” He said.

My eyes roamed around. There were only three males with me, and they didn’t even hide their faces. But it was so dark that I couldn’t see them fully, and I doubted I had met them before. They looked and felt unfamiliar to me.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Don’t ask. Just do it.” The man seated in the passenger seat turned around and pointed a gun at me.

I swallowed and kept my eyes on his finger. I had no idea if I could dodge once I saw him press it, but then what choice do I have? I have to at least try.

I felt my hands being untied, and the moment they were free, I clasped them together and rubbed them over each other so they would stop shaking.

“Sign this.” He shoved a paper and pen in my hand. “Here.” He pointed at the exact location where I needed to sign.

I didn’t even think twice and just did it.

Again, what choice do I have? I gave the paper to the man beside me, and at the same time the lamppost illuminated inside the car. I saw that it was a letter addressed to Kael.

It didn’t matter. I shouldn’t worry. Whatever was in the letter would not change anything.

I closed my eyes as my hands were tied again, but I was glad they kept my mouth free. And then I felt something being pushed inside the pocket of my jeans.

My eyes snapped open and I tilted my head down, but I didn’t see anything except for the man’s hand as he removed it from my pocket. “What was that?”

“Don’t ask questions.”

“Are you going to kill me?”

“We might if you keep talking.”

Did that mean they would not if I remained quiet? I hope so.

I watched as the car drove around the area. In just one year, I had already familiarized myself with this territory, as Kael would take me anywhere he went except for the last few weeks before his accident.

He began to leave me often at home while he did his business or his duties. So, if these men decided to hold me captive, it would be easy for me to find my way out if I could get away.

My eyes narrowed when the car stopped outside Miranda’s home. The lights were on, which was unusual as it was only four in the morning.

The gate of her house opened, and she came out wearing regular clothes, not evening or bedwear. She was clearly expecting us.

I thought I would be taken to her, but only the man in the passenger seat stepped out, taking the letter I signed with him. As soon as he closed the door, the car immediately drove away.

I didn’t need to ask. I already got my confirmation. Whatever happened to me today, it was Miranda’s doing. And whatever I signed in that paper would surely make me evil in Kael’s eyes.

Of course, she was the evil stepmother you would never want in your story. I chuckled at my own thoughts.

I should stop watching soap operas because this was where I got all these wicked plots and thoughts. But then, my thoughts could be right.

“Where are you taking me?” I finally asked after a long silence. I asked in a calm tone.

“Why do you want to know?” The man beside me asked back.

“You’re both not from this pack, right?”

“How did you know?”

“I’m the Luna of this pack. You would never do this to me if you were my people.” That was a lie. I doubt anyone would say no to Miranda if she ordered something like this against me.

“Are you trying to play us? We were asked to pick up a new slave, not a Luna.” The one driving answered.

“Slave? For who?” I swallowed.

Before becoming Kael’s Luna, I had heard of Omegas being traded for favors or money. I asked Kael about it, and he assured me his pack had never joined these underground deals.

“Alpha Draco.” The driver answered.

My eyes widened as my stomach churned. Oh, Goddess, not him.

I knew him. He has been Kael’s enemy since childhood. I met him at one of the banquets for Alphas, and he didn’t hide his interest in me once he found out I was Kael’s Luna. Either he was smitten by me or only because he wanted to irritate Kael.

Miranda was there that night. She witnessed how Kael almost fought with Alpha Draco because the latter couldn’t keep his mouth shut about me.

Did she sell me to him?

“Are you from his pack?” I asked.

“Yes.” The man beside me answered, and it was only then that I was able to look at him closely. He was looking at me with lust in his eyes, and he couldn’t keep himself from licking his lips from time to time.

When he saw me looking at him, his fingers began trailing down my arm.

“Don’t touch me. Alpha Draco will not like that.” I said, trying my best for my voice not to break.

“Markus, enough. You know the instructions. Take her there without any scratch.”

“I’m sure the Alpha won’t know if…”

“Shut up! I would rather take the woman Alpha Draco will give us than risk having my head cut off if you touch that girl.”

“But what’s the difference? He will just share her with his friends and with some of us one of these days. A little taste won’t make a difference.”

I wanted to vomit at the way they were talking until I caught sight of the border.

I hoped I could scream once they opened the window, as the guards usually checked the cars coming out.

I prepared myself to scream, but my heart dropped when the car just drove by, and the man guarding just gave them a salute without even checking us inside. Miranda surely had planned this.

They were still talking. Not about me anymore but about the women that they would get as a reward and the vile things that they would do to them.

I needed to get away before I reached their pack. Or I would be as good as dead, either in Alpha Draco’s hands or theirs.

“I need to pee…” I finally spoke after more than an hour of silence.

“Hold it.”

“I can’t anymore. Please… I don’t want to make a mess here. It would take a day to get to your pack and more hours to reach the city.”

“Definitely not in the city.” The driver said. “We can stop somewhere, but don’t you dare run.”

“I just need to pee,” I repeated.

I kept fidgeting, and soon the car stopped.

“Take her out.” The driver told Markus.