The Neglected Luna: Tangled In Fate Freed By Love Novel By Lollipop

I laughed, trying to shake off my nerves. “Well, it’s not every day I meet someone from the king’s knights,” I said with a sheepish grin.

“Honestly, I’m kind of at a loss for what to say to you.”

The Gamma chuckled, turning to face me with an easygoing smile.

“Let’s start simple, then. I‘ m Damon Knight.”

He extended his hand, and for a second, my mind went blank. His smile, so open and warm, caught me off guard. I was about to shake his hand when I noticed Jasper, glaring at us from across the room. A. sly grin tugged at the corner of my lips, and a sudden, rebellious thought lit up my mind. I wasn’t usually the type for games, but I figured it was time Jasper got a taste of his own medicine. Without hesitation, I took Damon‘ s hand, letting my fingers slide against his in a way that felt more intimate than I intended.

“Daphne Stone,” I said, mirroring Damon‘ s smile.

I could see from the twinkle in his eye that Damon knew exactly what I was doing. But instead of calling me out on it, he played along, hist grip firm but relaxed. He didn’t seem bothered by the tension. building in the air between me and Jasper–if anything, he found it amusing. I felt a flutter of nerves at how easily he read the situation, and for a moment, I wondered if I was out of my depth.

“So,” Damon began, releasing my hand slowly, “are you always this charming, or do I get the special treatment because that guy looks like. he’s ready to tear my head off?”

I let out a snort of laughter before I could stop myself, feeling my cheeks heat up. “Maybe a little of both,” I admitted. “But, honestly, I’m surprised you even noticed. I figured you‘ d be too busy with knight stuff to pay attention to pack drama.”

“Oh, I’ve seen my fair share of drama,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “But it’s rare to meet someone who can handle it with such grace.”

I blinked, taken aback. Grace? That wasn’t exactly a word I was used to hearing about myself. Especially not from someone like him. It was almost….. nice. Like he saw something in me that I hadn’t even thought to look for.

“You… really think so?” I asked, my voice quieter than before.

“Of course,” Damon said, his smile softening. “You ve got a certain spark. Most people would‘ ve crumbled under the pressure of sitting beside me. But you? You turned it into an opportunity.”

The compliment hit me harder than I expected, knocking down the walls I had built up around myself. I wasn’t sure how to respond. Not even Jasper had ever said something like that to me, and I realized, in that moment, how starved I had been for genuine praise.

“I guess… I never really thought of it that way, I said, feeling a bit foolish for letting his words get to me.

“Well, you should. You‘ re greater than you give yourself credit for.”

For a moment, I forgot why I had even started this whole charade in the first place. Damon’s words disarmed me in a way that was both comforting and unnerving. He wasn t just playing along to irritate Jasper–he actually meant what he was saying. I found myself drawn into our conversation without even trying.

“So,” he said, changing the subject with a smooth ease, “tell me about your pack. What’s it like being one of their warriors?”

I hesitated, still caught up in the whirlwind of emotions. But his genuine curiosity coaxed the words out of me. “It‘ s… intense,” I started. “But I love it. I train with them every day, so it’s like having a second family. There’s a real bond between us.”

Damon nodded, leaning in slightly as he listened. “Sounds like you. take a lot of pride in what you do.”

“I do,” I said, surprised at how easy it was to open up to him. “It s more than just a role or a duty–it’s who I am. And I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who push me to be better.”

His eyes lit up, and I could tell he was genuinely interested. “You sound just like me,” he said. “When I’m not on duty, I’m buried.

in books–mostly war strategies.”

My heart skipped a beat. “You read war strategies too?”

“Guilty,” he said with a grin. “I’m not the King’s Gamma just for a show.”

I felt a connection spark between us, one I hadn’t anticipated. We spent the next hour talking about battle tactics, our favorite strategists, and how much we both admired the art of war. Time seemed to blur, and before I knew it, couples were moving onto the dancefloor, their bodies swaying to the soft music under the glow of the moon.

As if on cue, Damon extended his hand once again, but this time it wasn’t part of a scheme. “May I have this dance?”

I hesitated for just a moment before placing my hand in his. “I d love to.”

We glided across the dancefloor like we’d been doing it for years, moving effortlessly in sync with each other. There was something about Damon–something magnetic–that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. His captivating eyes drew me in, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn‘ t thinking about Jasper. It was just me and Damon, spinning under the moonlight.

But then, a thundering growl ripped through the air, and I barely had time to turn before Jasper stormed toward us, his face twisted in fury. Before I could react, he grabbed my arm, yanking me away from Damon with force.

“What the hell do you think you‘ re doing, Daphne?” Jasper bellowed, his voice echoing across the dancefloor. “Are you seriously trying to humiliate me by cheating on me in front of everyone?”

All eyes were on us now, but I was too stunned to care. Damon stepped forward, his expression hardening, but Jasper‘ s grip tightened, pulling me even closer.

“Jasper, you‘ re making a scene-” I tried to say, but he cut me off, his eyes blazing with anger.

“You think this is a joke? You think you can just parade around with another man?”

And just like that, the game I thought I was playing spun out of control.