THE FORGOTTEN LUNA

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 automatic accommodations, as no one was allowed to leave the area until the next day, where a clear pass would be needed by anyone exiting. I was grateful for that, as this benefited me tonight. I didn't want to leave without Adessa.

I saw Draco in the manor, but I didn't approach him. I isolated myself. I didn't want any trouble at all.

It was already one in the morning, and I just came back into my room.

"Rasmus..." I spoke as soon as he picked up his mobile phone.

"Kael," His voice was throaty. I woke him up from his sleep. "How was the ball? Were you able to talk to the King?"

"I need Kevin's number."

"Yeah, yeah. Does this mean you were not successful?"

"They took Adessa!"

"Fuck! I told you this is a wrong idea!" He sounded more alert.

"Not the authority, but the King himself. He requested to speak with her alone, and it had been more than six hours... and fuck!" I punched the wall and rested my forehead on it, still gripping the phone tightly. "Shit! Don't tell me he fancies Adessa?"

"I don't know, man. It doesn't seem like that, but he called her a different name as if he knew her."

"Relax. I'll give you Kevin's number so he can check with someone to find out where she is." "Thanks, man."

"Why the fuck did you only call now?"

"I don't know. Stop asking questions!"

"Relax..."

"How can I fucking relax when I don't know where she is?!" My voice kept getting higher.

"I know, but acting crazy won't help you. Here's the number, or do you want me..."

I didn't hear his words because a voice sounded somewhere, announcing an important update from the King. I was puzzled until I realized the room had a built-in speaker.

"Attention, people of Absalon. The palace formally announces the arrival of the youngest royalty of the Absalom Kingdom...."

Goosebumps rose from my skin as I turned around and focused my eyes on the speaker attached to the roof somewhere near the door as if I could see the person speaking.

"Her Royal Highness, Princess

Adessa of Absalom, has finally graced us with her presence. The King is extending an invitation to every guest of the Moonlight Ball for a Royal Breakfast Banquet in honor of Princess Adessa tomorrow at exactly 30 minutes past the seventh hour. We ask every guest to arrive before the set time, or entrance will be refused once the Royal family has arrived. We expected to see you in formal, casual attire."

The announcer was still stating reminders, but I had already sunk down to my knees as my eyes watered. I didn't know I dropped my phone until Rasmus spoke from the other line. "Kael... Kael, do you hear me?"

I picked it up before slumping my body on the floor and bent my knees, resting my elbows on them as one hand gripped my hair and the other placed my phone on my ear.

"Yes..." My voice broke, and I was struggling to stop throwing punches everywhere.

"Did I hear it right? Princess Adessa of Absalom."

"Yes..."

"Holy fucking cow!"

"What do I do now?"

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yes."

"With Dexter as your Beta, you have no chance, man."

"I know. I don't know. Do you think it will happen this fast?"

"I don't know. Better prepared than not. Just give me a go signal, and I will fix it for you."

"I can't think."

"Do you trust me?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No," Rasmus answered almost immediately.

My shoulders shook as my tears fell. I didn't even try to hide my sobs. I rarely cry, but I couldn't stop it this time.

I was not hallucinating. This was not a nightmare.

Adessa was declared the Princess of Absalom. The missing princess.

There were rumors that the King was looking for another child. No one confirmed it, and it looked like hearsay. But I thought he was

looking for a son, not a daughternet

Even the was, I would never, in a million years, have thought that it was Adessa. But they would never announce this if they were not sure.

"Kael, listen to me." I heard what Rasmus said but I didn't know what to say. "Go to bed. Get as much sleep as you can. Go to her

breakfast banquet, but for Adessa's sake, do not make a scene. I will take care of the rest. I will call you again tomorrow."

"She's mine, Rasmus." I had to say it out loud.novelbin

"She is, Kael. But she's also owned by Absalom."

My tears kept falling, and I tried to rock my body. I didn't know what to say anymore.

"If there's anything positive about this, I'm sure she was granted absolute pardon for the people she killed." Rasmus added.

That was something I always wanted-for her to be free from it. But I had no idea if I still wanted that.

I didn't know if I should regret taking her here. I should have run away with her and gone somewhere far-outside the country. On a different continent. Anywhere but here.

"Cry if you must tonight, but once you leave that room tomorrow, I need the brave and confident Alpha Kael back. You can't just give up Adessa."