His Abandoned Luna Chapter 145

|| Lilac’s POV ||

“Thanks for the ride, Elara,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Anytime,” she replied, her tone gentle. “Call me if you need anything.”

I nodded, stepping out of the car and into the cool morning air. The walk to the door felt longer than usual, each step heavier than the last. Dad’s eyes followed me, his gaze piercing as I approached.

“Lilac,” he said, his voice firm but not unkind. “We need to talk.”

“Okay,” I replied, my voice steady despite the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

He led me inside, the familiar scent of home wrapping around me like a blanket. The house was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt heavy with unspoken words. We settled in the study, the room filled with the scent of old books and polished wood. My father sat behind his desk, his hands clasped in front of him, while I took a seat across from him, my hands trembling in my lap.

“Ezra’s eighteenth birthday is here,” he began, his tone serious. “It’s time.”

“Time for what?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“We’ll host a party where his strength will be measured. Everyone will watch and judge his wolf to see if he can be the next royal Beta,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of tradition and expectation.

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. This hadn’t happened in my past life. Ezra’s eighteenth birthday had come and gone without fanfare, his wolf never put on display for the world to judge. But now, everything was different. The stakes were higher, the risks greater.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked, my voice tinged with unease. “Ezra’s still young. Putting him under that kind of pressure…”

“It’s tradition, Lilac,” my father interrupted, his tone firm. “He’s of age, and it’s time for him to prove himself. The entire kingdom needs to see that he’s strong enough to carry on the legacy.”

I bit my lip, the words I wanted to say stuck in my throat. I panicked. This event never happened in my past life, so I was oblivious to Ezra’s strength. What if he became humiliated? What if Cassandra planed something wrong? What if Elias pulled a stunt!

I wanted to argue, to tell him that traditions could be broken, that Ezra didn’t need to prove anything to anyone. But I knew it wouldn’t change his mind. My father was a man of tradition, of duty. He wouldn’t bend, not even for his own son.

“Okay,” I said finally, my voice soft. “What do you need me to do?”

“We need to be ready,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “The party will be in two weeks. We’ll invite the council, all the alphas, the royals and anyone else who matters. Ezra needs to be at his best.”

I nodded, my mind already racing with plans. I would do whatever it took to protect my brother, to ensure he wasn’t put in harm’s way. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that things wouldn’t go as smoothly as my father hoped.

I found Ezra in his room, his excitement palpable as he paced back and forth. His wolf, still young and untested, was a source of both pride and anxiety for him. He turned to me as I entered, his eyes bright with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

“Lilac! Did Dad tell you?” he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

“Yeah, he did,” I replied, forcing a smile. “How are you feeling?”

“Excited. Nervous. I don’t know,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I just want to make everyone proud, you know?”

“You will,” I said, my voice gentle. “You’re strong, Ez. Stronger than you think.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I know, still... Dad is always busy these days and I know I can help dad with the work but what if I mess up?”

“You won’t,” I said, my tone firm. “But you’re not alone in this, okay? I’ve got your back.”

He nodded, his expression softening. “I know. Thanks!”

I pulled him into a hug, my heart aching for him. He was just a kid, thrust into a world of expectations and judgments. I wanted to shield him from it all, to keep him safe. But I knew I couldn’t. All I could do was be there for him, to help him navigate the challenges ahead.

As we chit chat, Elias showed up at the house, his presence a reminder of the tangled web I was caught in. He greeted my parents with his usual charm, his smile warm but his eyes sharp. When he turned to me, his gaze lingered, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

“Hey love,” he said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge I couldn’t quite place.

“Hello,” I replied, my tone polite but distant. I didn’t know his motives, didn’t trust him, but I couldn’t afford to show my hand. Not yet.

“I heard about Ezra’s birthday party,” he said, his tone casual. “I thought I could help. I’m a warrior, after all. I could teach him a thing or two about controlling his wolf.”

I forced a smile, my mind racing. “That’s… generous of you. I’m sure Ezra would appreciate the help.”

"That will be awesome! You are the best!" Ezra said in excitement.

Elias nodded, his expression unreadable. “It’s the least I can do. After all, we’re family now, aren’t we?”

The words felt like a knife to my chest, but I kept my expression neutral. “Yeah, I guess we are.”

There was a tense silence between us, the air thick with unspoken words. Finally, Elias broke it, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “So, are you free for a ride later? I want to show you something.”

I hesitated, my mind screaming at me to say no. But I couldn’t afford to raise his suspicions. I needed to know what was he planning.

“Sure,” I said, my voice steady. “A ride sounds nice.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Great. I’ll pick you up at four.”

As he walked away, I felt a wave of unease wash over me. I didn’t know what game Elias was playing, but I couldn’t afford to lose. Not when so much was at stake.