THE FORGOTTEN LUNA

LADESSA.

"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 his Court. We..."

"It's okay." King Essak raised his hand, and the man immediately shut up. With a smirk on his face, he turned his attention to Kael again. "Years have gone by, and you're still using the same tactic, Kael. Ambushing me in the middle of my ceremonies." "My apologies, my King. I am only eager to hear your wisdom about my woman." Kael spoke in one breath before laying his hand on his right, almost before me.

I accepted Kael's hand, and it was only then that the Alpha King tilted his head in my direction.

I swallowed hard when his smile suddenly disappeared, and his face's color was drained. He stepped back, and my whole world shattered as I fought my tears. Did he recognize me as one of the criminals they were looking for?

I wanted to drop my gaze from him, but I didn't, and we remained staring into each other's eyes.

"Remove your mask." He ordered.

My heart thudded loudly as the whole room fell into a deafening silence. I couldn't even hear my own heartbeat, but I wanted to pat myself on the back because, despite the turmoil in my head, my hands were steady as I slowly took off my mask. "Adelaine..." One word, but it echoed in my ear.

Kael looked at me, and my eyes found his. He was confused, but he moved and stood beside me, circling his arm around my waist. "You must be mistaken, King Essak. This is Savannah Gray."

I tilted my head down in respect. "A pleasure to meet you, my King."

"No. I could never be wrong. Tell me you're twenty years old." The King said, disregarding my greeting. "Who are your parents?"

He was right. I was twenty years old.

I opened my mouth to speak even if I had no idea if I should lie or not, but before any word could come out of my lips, somebody spoke from somewhere. A female.

It gave me goosebumps all over my body and made my hand on Kael's back grip his coat tightly.

"She is not Savannah Gray nor Adelaine that you spoke of, my King." Miranda's voice was loud and full of confidence.

Kael moved us so we could turn around to look at her, and we ended up standing beside King Essak.

"How dare you interrupt our conversation?" The King asked her in a cold tone.

"My apologies, my King." She bowed her head slightly before tilting her head up. A smirk formed on her red lips as her eyes glistened with wickedness. She hated me with her whole being, and I knew she was here to push me more.

I was already preparing myself to heat up my body, ready to run away, but Kael was gripping my waist tightly, steadying me in my place beside him.

"The woman beside you is Adessa

Quijeros. Former Luna of the

Ironcrest Pack and a fugitive for killing two men from the Knight's

Stone Pack." She then tilted

head

to the two men beside her. "She is

the one I was telling you that

sneaked in here. Which was a

disgrace to the King's men for letting this happen."

"How dare you mock my guards?" The King snapped at her.

"That is not my intention, King Essak." Miranda immediately answered. "I just want to let everyone know that she's a criminal. A murderer!"

"How dare you accuse anyone of such a heinous crime? Do you have an invitation to this banquet?"

Miranda's face paled. She probably didn't expect the King's animosity toward her. But she could compose herself right away, and I saw her glance at Alpha Draco.

And I knew I was doomed.

"Kael..." I whispered, but he was not able to reply as Miranda spoke again.

"I am not invited, my King, but I'm also not lying to you. You can ask the Alpha of the Knight's Stone Pack himself. Alpha Draco will tell you I'm not lying. She is Adessa Quijeros. Am I right, Alpha Draco?"

I stepped back, ready to bolt out if this became a lot worse, but I felt something was pushed onto my back-a spear, a knife, or a sword.novelbin

It must be from one of the King's guards. I really had no idea, but I knew if I stepped back further, it would pierce my skin.

Alpha Draco cleared his throat as all eyes went to him. He then tilted his head up before completely turning his body to look at Miranda.

"I don't understand why you are

insisting that Miss Savannah is Luna Adessa. I have met Miss Savannah on a few occasions, and I know she is definitely not the woman who killed my brother." Alpha Draco spoke in a voice full of conviction that if I were not the person he was talking about, I would believe him.

He was lying for me because I was sure as hell that he knew I was Adessa the moment Miranda announced it. And that this was the only time he had met Savannah Gray. Something was going on.

My hands were too cold, and if Kael were not holding me, I would have already dropped onto the floor on the way my knees were buckling.

"Take her out of here!" The King roared, and everything happened so fast. The one pointing at my back released me, and more men came out of nowhere and grabbed Miranda. She struggled to break free from them and began being hysterical.

"She is Adessa Quijeros, my King! She has a red birthmark on her hip bones, almost looking like a heart!" She kept shouting nonstop. "I knew because I lived with her. I am her former mother-in-law! And Alpha Kael is an accomplice! He should be stripped of his title for lying!"

Her yelling echoed all around the hall, and the moment she was gone from the ballroom, the murmur began.

"We should leave." I mouthed at Kael, and he shook his head.

The King walked toward the raised

dais and turned his attention to the crowd. "My beautiful werewolves, your King is.extending an apology for the commotion. Do not let it rain your night. Please commence with the event, and I will grace you with my presence again before the night ends." As soon as he stopped speaking, the music went up, drowning out all the talking all

around us.

I thought he would leave, but he stopped in front of me. This time, I couldn't fathom his expression.

"Do you have a red mark on your back?" He asked in a low voice as he stared into my eyes.