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.

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.

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.