His Abandoned Luna Chapter 115

|| Lilac’s POV ||

“I also have a second proposition,” Alaric said, his voice cutting through the noise. “In case Kael wants the results sooner.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “What proposition?”

Alaric’s smile was calm but calculated. “I happened to come across an ancient ritual used by the Nightshades— a ritual that reveals one’s memories on a stone under the full moon.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in.

“But you need a healer from their clan to perform it,” one of the council members pointed out.

“Yes,” Alaric replied, his tone steady. “And luckily, I came across one.”

The whispers grew louder, the room buzzing with speculation.

“How did he…?” someone murmured.

“He’s really a man of many mysteries,” another added.

I smiled to myself. This was my plan too. I had found the ritual in a book in my father’s study. I knew Kael was lying, and the trick was to pressure him into revealing the truth. We didn’t actually have a Nightshade healer— it was all a bluff.

“We can read every experience my dear sister-in-law has been through,” Alaric continued, his gaze fixed on Kael. “And we can find more leads on who could be behind this. I want to find out who is responsible as well. After all, they tried to drive a wedge between brothers and tarnish my family’s name.”

Kael’s face was ashen, and Coco looked like she might faint. Cassandra, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “Perhaps we should discuss this matter outside the council, as it concerns our family.”

I smirked. They had taken the bait. Alaric was safe.

Kael stared at his mother, his expression a mix of anger and desperation.

“Yes,” he said through gritted teeth. “We are withdrawing the charges for now.”

The council nodded, their verdict final. “Very well. But Kael, you must clear Alaric’s name publicly, as you have tarnished it. You will issue a public apology.”

Kael’s jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly. The room erupted in murmurs, the tension finally breaking.

“This was… unexpected,” Ezra said, his eyes wide with disbelief.

I turned to him, a small smile playing on my lips. “You have to learn all this and fast.”

Ezra blinked, his expression shifting to one of realization. “Did you know about this?”

I smirked. “I might have.”

As I walked out of the council chamber, a sense of triumph washed over me. This was just the beginning, but for now, we had won. He had done his part, now it's my turn.

As I stepped out of the council chamber, the weight of the day’s events still pressing heavily on my shoulders, I was immediately greeted by the familiar faces of Madeline, Astrid, and Elara. They stood in the hallway, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.

“Lilac, are you okay?” Madeline asked, her voice soft but laced with worry.

I managed a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “I’m fine. Just… a lot to process.”

“Woof! That was a close call,” Astrid said, her usual playful demeanor breaking through the tension. “I thought Kael was going to explode right there in the council room.”

Elara smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Looks like your alpha knows how to defend himself,” she teased, her eyes glinting with mischief.

I sighed, shaking my head.

“He’s not my alpha,” I said, though the words felt hollow even as I spoke them.

The three of them exchanged knowing glances, their teasing smiles widening.

“Oh, come on, Lilac,” Astrid said, nudging me with her elbow. “You can’t fool us. We’ve seen the way you look at him.”

“And the way he looks at you,” Madeline added, her tone gentle but teasing.

“Honest to the Goddess, please stop this,” I said, my voice tinged with exasperation. But despite my protests, I couldn’t help the faint blush that crept up my cheeks.

They giggled, their laughter a welcome relief after the tension of the council meeting. For a moment, it felt like old times— like we were just a group of friends sharing a lighthearted moment. But the reality of the situation quickly came crashing back.

“Anyway, guys, I have an interview, so I gotta go,” Madeline said, glancing at her watch. “All the other candidates will be there too, with their lunas. I wonder if Kael will bring Coco.”

Astrid smirked. “Oh, I hope he does. That’ll make things interesting.”

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Actually, Madeline, I need some help.”

Madeline turned to me, her expression softening. “Of course. What do you need?”

I explained my plan quickly, my voice low so as not to be overheard. Madeline listened intently, her eyes narrowing as she processed my words. When I finished, she nodded, a determined smile spreading across her face.

“Consider it done,” she said, her tone confident.

Madeline walked into the studio, her posture poised and confident. Alexander was waiting for her at the door, his expression calm but protective. As they entered, the other contenders were already seated, their lunas by their sides. Kael was there too, Coco sitting beside him, her face pale and her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

The interviewer, a sharp-eyed man with a microphone in hand, began the session. “Let’s start with Kael Reventhorn, since he’s been in the news these days. Kael, tell us, how did the council meeting go?”

Kael leaned forward, his smile practiced and polished. “It was… usual. Politics are everywhere these days, it seems, and it’s hard to get justice.”

The interviewer raised an eyebrow. “Are you implying the council was unfair to you?”

Kael’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered. “I can’t say that, but there have been some incidents, and this has turned into a family matter now.”