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.

¤¤¤¤¤

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.

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.

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.

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.