His Abandoned Luna Chapter 136

|| Lilac’s POV ||

Things had been better. The election preparations were moving forward, and Kael’s scandal had given us a much-needed boost. But Elias and I were still on shaky ground. His presence, once comforting, now felt suffocating. Every smile, every touch, every word felt like a reminder of the bond I couldn’t fully embrace. How was I supposed to be with him? How was I supposed to pretend everything was fine when my heart was still tangled in the past?

I needed a break, and Elara, ever the perceptive friend, had arranged it.

“We’re going for a girls’ day out,” she declared one morning, her tone leaving no room for argument. Astrid and I agreed, though Madeline was too busy to join. I didn’t mind. The fewer people, the better. I needed space to breathe, to think, to just be without the weight of expectations pressing down on me.

I leaned back in my seat, staring out the window as Elara drove. The city blurred past, a mix of gray skies and muted colors that matched my mood. Astrid was in the passenger seat, scrolling through her phone and occasionally chiming in with a comment or two. Elara was in her element, her hands steady on the wheel as she navigated the streets with ease.

“So, where are we going again?” Astrid asked, glancing up from her phone.

“Breakfast,” Elara replied, her tone cheerful. “I found this place online. Supposed to have the best pancakes in the city.”

“Pancakes?” I murmured, my voice barely audible. I hadn’t had much of an appetite lately, but the thought of something sweet and comforting was oddly appealing.

“Yeah, pancakes,” Elara said, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. “You need to eat, Lil. You’ve been looking… thin, pale and sickly.”

I didn’t respond, my gaze fixed on the passing buildings. Thin. That was one way to put it. I’d lost weight, not because of any diet, but because I couldn’t bring myself to eat. Every meal felt like a chore, every bite a reminder of the emptiness inside me. I’d been drowning myself in work, in the election, in anything that would keep me from sitting alone with Elias.

The restaurant was cozy, with warm lighting and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. We found a table near the window, and I slid into the booth, my hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee. Elara and Astrid chatted animatedly, their voices a comforting hum in the background.

“So, Lilac,” Astrid said, turning to me with a grin. “What’s the plan for the election? Anything juicy?”

“Not yet,” I replied, forcing a smile. “But we’re working on it.”

“Working on it?” Elara echoed, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve been working nonstop. When was the last time you took a break?”

“I’m fine,” I said, my tone sharper than I intended. I softened it with a smile. “Really. I just… need to stay focused.”

Elara and Astrid exchanged a look but didn’t press further. The conversation shifted to lighter topics—gossip, fashion, the latest drama in the packs. I listened half-heartedly, my mind drifting to darker places. Elias. Alaric. The election. The weight of it all was crushing, and I didn’t know how much longer I could hold it together.

As we finished our meal, the atmosphere shifted. The door to the restaurant opened, and a familiar figure stepped inside. My heart skipped a beat as Marcus approached our table.

“Sorry for interrupting you,” Marcus said, his voice polite but tinged with urgency.

“Who’s he?” Elara asked, her eyes narrowing as she sized him up.

“Kinda hot,” Astrid murmured, earning a glare from Elara.

“This is Marcus, Beta of the Blood Moon Pack,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

“Hello,” Marcus said, his eyes locking onto mine. “Can we talk? Please!”

“Sure,” I said, standing up. I followed him to a quieter corner of the restaurant, my heart pounding in my chest.

Marcus looked around before he started, his voice low and urgent. “Luna… I—”

“I’m not your Luna, Marcus,” I interrupted, my tone firm but not unkind.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his gaze softening. “You’ve lost a lot of weight.”

“I’m on a diet,” I lied, my voice tight. I’d been drowning myself in work, in the election, in anything that would keep me from sitting alone with Elias.

“Congratulations on finding your soulmate,” Marcus said, his tone sincere but carrying an edge of something I couldn’t quite place.

“Thanks,” I replied, my voice hollow.

“I have a request to make,” Marcus said, his voice trembling slightly. “Will you be able to visit Alaric once?”

“Marcus…” I trailed off, my chest tightening.

“Listen, he’s a mess,” Marcus said, his words spilling out in a rush. “He won’t sleep, won’t eat enough, always working or drinking. He’s killing himself, and I’ve tried to pull him out of it. But I can’t. I can’t see my friend, my Alpha, fading away. Please, you have to help. I know he’ll only listen to you.”

My heart dropped, the weight of his words pressing down on me.

“Marcus, I…” I began, but he cut me off.

“I know it’s wrong of me to ask you, but please, I beg you, Luna,” he said, his voice breaking.

“We’re ready to leave,” Elara said, stepping closer with Astrid in tow. They must have sensed the tension, the gravity of the conversation.

I sighed, standing up.

“Please, he needs you,” Marcus said again, his eyes pleading.

I turned to Elara, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need to be somewhere.”

“I’ll cover you. Go,” Elara said, her tone firm but understanding. She always knew when to push and when to let go.

I turned back to Marcus, my heart heavy. “Are you still planning to stay there? I don’t have my car.”

He stood up, his eyes wide with surprise and gratitude.

“Thank you, Luna,” he said, his voice trembling.