Abandoned Luna: Now Untouchable-Chapter 427 Dangerous Waters

Author’s pov

After calming VanDyck down and making sure her mother was comfortable, Cecilia and her friends finally left Esther’s hospital room.

Then they found a nearby hotel.Her father stayed at the hospital to watch over Esther.

Cecilia finally collapsed into bed. She was so tired she fell asleep right away.

Later that morning at ten, they went back to the hospital.

Esther was awake but sleepy from pain medicine.

VanDyck looked terrible. His clothes were wrinkled from sleeping in a hospital chair all night.

"How are you feeling, Mom?" Cecilia asked. She took her mother’s hand gently.

Esther tried to smile. "I’ve been better, sweetheart. But don’t worry about me."

"The doctor says she needs to stay another day or two," VanDyck said. His voice sounded tired and rough. "The wound was deeper than they first thought."

Cecilia nodded.

For the next few hours, they stayed with Esther.

They kept the conversation light and avoided talking about Alpha Sebastian or werewolves.

Harper left to take a phone call and came back with coffee for everyone.

"You should all go get some real rest," Esther said around one o’clock. "Your father and I will be fine here."

"Are you sure?" Cecilia asked. Though she already knew they needed to leave.

"Yes," VanDyck nodded. "We’ll probably just sleep anyway."

Cecilia kissed both parents goodbye and promised to come back later.

Once they left the hospital, her gentle mood completely changed.

Now she looked determined and fierce.

Back at the hotel, she called Harper and Yvonne into her room. Tang and Sawyer came too.

"I need to tell you both something," Cecilia said quietly. "I’m going to that cruise."

"What?" Harper’s eyes went wide. "But you promised your dad you wouldn’t go."

"I know what I promised," Cecilia cut her off. "But Maggie won’t stop. This won’t end with what happened to mom. She’s using my family to get to me. The only way to stop this is to face her directly and find Belinda."

Yvonne nodded slowly. "You think Belinda will be there?"

"I’m sure of it. Maggie’s too proud not to show off her partner in crime." Cecilia pulled out her phone. She typed a quick message to the number Maggie had called from.

I’ll be there. Send me the details.

The reply came almost right away. Maggie must have been waiting by her phone. She sent a marina address, a boarding time, and a simple message: "Smart choice."

"Count me in," Tang said without hesitation. "You’ll need backup."

Sawyer looked uncertain. "This is crazy. You know it’s a trap."

"Of course it is," Cecilia replied with a fierce smile. "But Sebastian is up there surrounded by enemies. Are we just going to sit here and wait for bad news?"

Sawyer was quiet for a moment. Then he sighed. "Fine. But we do this smart, not reckless."

Harper was already packing her things. "Sometimes you have to walk right into a trap to destroy it from the inside."

--

The marina was quiet when they arrived.

Most boats were already out on the water.

A sleek black speedboat waited at the dock with one crewman standing guard.

"Are you Cecilia Moore?" he asked. His voice was flat and emotionless.

She nodded.

"This way, please."

Twenty minutes later, Harper checked her phone. "No signal," she said. "Big surprise."

"What did you expect?" Yvonne replied dryly.

A huge cruise ship appeared in the distance. It was the biggest ship Cecilia had ever seen.

The white vessel gleamed against the blue water, getting bigger as they got closer. Unlike normal cruise ships, this one had no company name.

Just sleek and unmarked. Like a floating palace for rich people.

Other small boats were heading to the ship from different directions.

Their boat pulled up to a private platform where two men in perfect uniforms waited.

"Welcome aboard the Artemis," one said coldly.

They walked through fancy hallways with thick carpets that muffled their steps. Everything looked expensive.

Crystal lights, dark wood panels, and paintings that belonged in famous museums.

Finally, they reached huge double doors.

The escort opened them to show a grand ballroom full of people.

Cecilia felt the tension right away.

The room was packed with Moonveil Ascendancy members. They all acted superior and made her skin crawl.

They barely looked at the newcomers. They kept talking like Cecilia and her friends didn’t exist.

"Cece!" A familiar voice called out. It sounded fake sweet.

Maggie walked over wearing an emerald dress that probably cost a fortune.

Jessica and Xenia followed behind her like perfect shadows. Beautiful, quiet, and watching everything.

"I’m so glad you came after all," Maggie said. Her smile looked fake. "Though I’m surprised. You seemed so worried about your poor mother. How is she? Such a terrible accident."

"At least I have real family who cares about me. " Cecilia looked at Jessica and Xenia. "And I don’t have to chase after other women’s men."

Maggie’s smile got tighter. "How sweet. Alpha Sebastian will be so touched."

Just then, Cecilia saw Sebastian across the room. He was sitting with Alpha Xavier, Alpha Gavin, and Cassian. They were deep in conversation.

When he saw her, surprise flashed across his face. Then came concern and anger.

Alpha Sebastian stood up right away. He excused himself and walked straight to her. Alpha Xavier and Alpha Gavin followed Maggie’s group as they moved away.

Alpha Sebastian reached her side. His hand found her back automatically. The touch made her feel warm despite her anger.

"What are you doing here?" he asked quietly.

"I could ask you the same thing," Cecilia replied coolly.

He led her to a quieter corner. Harper and Yvonne moved away to give them space. "This isn’t what it looks like," Sebastian said quietly. "I knew about Maggie’s plans. I’m here to catch Belinda. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to keep you safe."

Cecilia looked at his face. Dark circles under his eyes. Tight jaw. He hadn’t been sleeping. Even though she was angry about the lies, she felt herself softening.

"Next time you lie to protect me, you’re sleeping on the couch for a month," she said. Her voice was softer but still firm. Her hand moved to her stomach without thinking.

Alpha Sebastian’s eyes followed her hand. His expression got gentler. He leaned closer, his lips near her ear. "I’m sorry. I was trying to protect you both."

Before Cecilia could answer, the lights dimmed.

Music started playing from hidden speakers. A man appeared on a stage at the far end of the ballroom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s show. The midnight party starts in a few hours. Until then, enjoy the performances."

First came a string quartet. Then an opera singer whose voice filled the huge room easily.

Cecilia looked at the program.

Two full pages of shows before the main event at midnight. Like a really expensive theater night.

An acrobatic group took the stage next.

They did amazing stunts that seemed almost impossible.