When the Hidden Luna Rises novel Chapter 20

**Chained by Fate**
**Eliza Rowan**
**Chapter 20**

Kelsey had always been a person of principle, someone who never sought the easy way out.

She was acutely aware that parachuting into a senior role would not only spark whispers of discontent but also ignite resentment among those who had been entrenched in their positions for years.

Relying on anyone, not even Andrew, was not her way.

In her younger days, she and Ryan had depended on scholarships to navigate the challenges of the Werewolf Academy.

But that was a distant memory, buried under the weight of time.

After being away from the workforce for so long, she understood that she was, in essence, starting from scratch.

Thus, she resolved to begin at the very bottom.

This choice validated Andrew’s faith in her; he had not miscalculated her capabilities.

Kelsey was, and had always been, that resilient little dandelion from his recollections—fragile in appearance but possessing an unwavering determination to take root and flourish in the harshest conditions.

No matter how many times life knocked her down, she always found the strength to rise again.

“You’ve really matured,” Andrew remarked, a slight smile gracing his lips, unable to mask the pride that laced his voice.

“After everything you’ve endured over the years, you still cling to your principles. I admire you for that.”

Kelsey lifted her gaze, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“You taught me that lesson. Back in that dusty courtyard, you reminded us that orphans couldn’t afford to fear solitude; our only fear should be the inability to rely on ourselves. That became the foundation of who I am today.”

Andrew listened intently, a soft chuckle escaping him as his eyes softened with nostalgia.

He could vividly recall their childhood days—Kelsey was the pup who shed the most tears at the orphanage.

When the Matron had told her she was without parents,

she had cried with such fervor that her tears seemed to wash away the very dirt from her face.

To a young Andrew, her emotional outbursts had felt excessive, her tears flowing too freely, her need for comfort from the Matron almost irritating.

She had a penchant for clinging to people, often appearing spoiled in her interactions with the Matron.

Whenever candy was distributed, she had a knack for securing an extra piece.

Andrew had looked down on her little antics, dismissing them as mere tricks.

But then came that fateful year.

The orphanage’s benefactor had pulled funding, all because the Matron refused to participate in a so-called “charity publicity stunt.”

As a result, meals became scarce, and the winter clothing was woefully inadequate.

Fear gripped the pups, and many cried silently in the dark of night.

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