THE FORGOTTEN LUNA

LADESSA.

"Where will you find a couple of thousand to pay it back?"

I let out a sigh, and my shoulders slumped. "I'll think of something."

"We don't take jewelry here. We have a pawnshop on the other side of the city."

"Do you think you can ask your boss to make an exception? I don't have enough money to get to the end of the city. Please."

She looked at me, and we stared at each other for a while before she took a deep breath. "I'm the manager here. I can make an exception, but are you sure you'll return for this? I also have to put an interest on the amount you will loan."

I nodded. "I will come back. I don't want to lose that either."

"Fine. Let me check this first and label it. Sit there."

I nodded and went to the nearby couch to wait. I had no idea how long I waited. When she came back, she handed me two thousand, two hundred dollars. She informed me that the listed amount was two thousand. Her eyes told me not to question anymore, but I wanted to assume the extra two hundred came from her own pocket.

She had always given me food when I was younger. She was helping me more this time.

"Thank you," I told her as I accepted the paper that I needed to present to claim it back.

"You have five days to claim it from Friday. If you don't return on time, the interest will shoot up, and we will open it for sale after a few days."

"I will come back." I smiled at her and walked toward the door. I had no idea where I should go, but for now, I needed to find somewhere to eat. I hadn't eaten since breakfast yesterday. I was supposed to last night, but Kael cornered me, and we went to the guest room. "Adessa..." She called me before I reached the door. I turned and looked at her, waiting for her to continue talking. "Do you have a place to stay today?"

I shook my head.

"Wait for me somewhere until two in the afternoon. I'll take you home. You can stay in Gracie's room tonight or until you have decided what to do next." My eyes watered, but I kept my tears from falling. "Thank you. I would love that."

"Good. There's a cafeteria nearby that offers good food at cheap prices. Stay there while I sort my day, and I will come for you there."

She told me the name of the restaurant, and I smiled back at her. "Thank you. I'll see you later."

MIRANDA.

I drew the curtain closed when Kael's car entered the grounds of his house. I decided to stay for the night to hear what happened to their trip to Bayson Bay.

Dexter was foolish enough to inform him that he had found the ring in one of the nearby jewelry shops. He should have shut his mouth and not said anything, making Kael believe Adessa wanted to keep it.

I wanted that ring, but Kael was selfish and refused to give it to me. He said it rightfully belonged to his mother. Which was, of course, wrong. It belonged to the Luna of the pack. Since I was the new Luna when I married his father, I expected it to be mine.

However, Khalid, his father, wasCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

stupid enough to let his son decide for him. So, as much as I wanted that ring for its value, I couldn't keep it. Therefore, it was better off Adessa's possession. Kael would think she stole it if she did not return it to the pack.

I should have known better that she would pawn it.

As soon as Alpha Draco took her, her life would be a living hell. I didn't get anything from this transaction. No money or favors. I didn't want my hands dirty. I just sent her off to him after confirming he still wanted her. I wanted her away here so she couldn't get in between Desiree and Kael.

Desiree was my daughter out of wedlock. I was young then, and my parents had her adopted by a friend. But I never let her out of my sight.

Her adopted family was also a close friend of Kael's, so they basically grew up together.

When Desiree turned fourteen, I introduced myself but told her she couldn't let that secret out. But I'd been pushing her to get closer and be intimate with Kael.

She had a boyfriend but also wanted

to be a Luna, so she agreed.

However, she made a foolish mistake by sleeping with someone else and got caught. Before we could rectify that mistake, Kael had taken Adessa home and married her, spoiling all my plans to make my daughter the Luna of this Pack and eventually eliminate Kael.

Yes, I wanted Kael dead like his father.

Because someone else deserved to be the Alpha of this pack - my mate. My fated mate.

The doorknob rattled, and I watched as it turned before the door opened.

"What are you doing here?" My eyes narrowed at him. "If someone sees you..."

"Relax. Kael is hiding in his office and doesn't want to be disturbed. I said I would take a shower." Dexter replied, locking the door before bridging the gap between us. In no time, his arms were around me, and his lips had crashed into mine. Dexter was eight years older than Kael and five years younger than me.

He became Khalid, my husband's Beta, when his brother, the then Beta, died. He remained to be Kael's Beta after my husband passed away, and the title was passed on to his son. Mates are a rarity in this generation. I never thought I would meet my mate.

I didn't care about it. All I wanted was a good life for myself. So when I met Alpha Khalid in one of the socialite banquets we both attended, I didn't stop trying to lure him to like me.

I was 12 years younger than Khalid, and with my charm and seduction, I was finally able to make him choose me as his new wife. It was through him that I met Dexter.

We both knew we were mates the moment our skin touched and the mate scent was activated. But even before that encounter, I wouldn't deny I was already attracted to him. But he was just a Beta.