His Abandoned Luna Chapter 156

|| Lilac's POV ||

The morning sun spilled through my bedroom window, golden and deceptive in its warmth. I stood before the floor-length mirror, adjusting the delicate silver embroidery along the neckline of my dress—a deep emerald green, the color of our pack, the color of royalty.

My reflection stared back at me, hollow-eyed.

You can do this. One step at a time.

I exhaled slowly, pressing my palms flat against the cool surface of the vanity. The bruises from last night’s attack had faded under the healers’ care, but the memory hadn’t. The rogues’ snarls. The way Elias had failed to protect me. The way Alaric had.

Alaric.

Where was he?

A knock at the door startled me.

"Lilac?" My mother’s voice, soft but firm. "It’s time."

I forced a smile before turning. "Coming."

I had arrived early to oversee the final arrangements, but I wasn’t alone for long.

"Lilac."

His voice sent a chill down my spine.

Elias strode toward me, his blue eyes scanning my face with exaggerated concern. He was dressed impeccably, as always—black ceremonial robes with silver trim, the mark of a high-ranking warrior.

"You’re here early," I said, keeping my tone light.

"I wanted to make sure everything was perfect for you." His hand brushed my arm, lingering just a second too long. "How are you feeling? After that attack—"

"I’m fine," I cut in, forcing a smile. "Just a little shaken."

His expression twisted into something like guilt. " I should have protected you. I am so sorry I wasn’t able to fight them all in time."

You weren’t. Alaric was. Who truly cared.

I bit back the words, tilting my head instead. "It wasn’t your fault."

His fingers tightened around mine. "I swear, I won’t let anything happen to you again."

I wondered if he meant it. After all, none of that would have happened if we ran fast towards the house.

But I let him hold my hand. Let him stand too close. Let the guests whisper about the perfect pair we made—the Royal Beta's daughter and her destined mate.

All the while, my eyes searched the crowd.

Where are you, Alaric?

The guests had begun to fill the space—pack elders, warriors, dignitaries from neighboring territories. And then, like a poison seeping into the air, they arrived.

Kael.

And Coco.

She was draped in white silk, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders like a halo. A lie. Everything about her was a lie.

Kael’s gaze locked onto mine, cold and calculating, before he turned to greet my father with a practiced smile.

Coco, however, made a beeline for me.

"Lilac," she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I’m so glad to see you and your mate getting along so well."

I kept my smile intact. "Of course we are. After all, we are mates."

Her lips curled. She leaned in, close enough that her breath brushed my ear. "So, how was your little adventure?"

My blood turned to ice.

No one knew about the kidnapping. Only a handful— my parents, Alexander, Alaric.

How did she manage to find out?

"Surprised I know your secret?" she whispered, pulling back just enough to smirk at me.

I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move.

"News travels fast, you see." Her fingers toyed with a loose curl of my hair. "I wonder… if this gets out, will your little brother still get to be Royal Beta?"

Rage burned through the shock.

"Watch your tongue," I hissed.

She laughed, high and bright. "What? If the family can’t even keep their daughter safe, how are they supposed to lead the entire army?"

Before I could respond, she sauntered away, leaving me standing there, fists clenched, heart pounding.

She knew. She knew about the attack.

Which meant one thing.

She was behind it.

The ceremony was held in the sprawling gardens behind our estate, where the ancient oaks formed a natural cathedral, their branches interlaced like guardians over the sacred space. Lanterns hung from the trees, their flickering flames casting dancing shadows over the assembled guests. The air smelled of night-blooming jasmine and the crisp promise of the full moon.

Ezra stood at the center of the clearing, barefoot, dressed in the traditional white linen of a first shift. His jaw was set, but his fingers twitched at his sides. He was a little nervous.

This was his night.

The elders had already begun the preparations— anointing his forehead with sacred oils, murmuring the old words. The Healers would examine his wolf after the shift, and the Alphas would test his aura to see if he was worthy of becoming the next Royal Beta.

And then there was the Trial of the Blood Moon— an ancient custom where the candidate had to hold their shifted form under the direct light of the blood moon for an hour without faltering. It says, the blood moon takes away our power, and only a few passed on their first attempt.

I swallowed hard.

He’ll be fine. He has to be.

The drums started—a deep, resonant pulse that echoed through the trees. The elders called for silence, and the crowd stilled.

Ezra stepped forward, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

The moon reached its zenith.

And then—

His shift began.

Bones cracked. Muscles twisted. A scream tore from his throat, raw and primal, before it morphed into a howl.

His wolf emerged— massive, silver-furred, eyes glowing like liquid amber.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

But my gaze wasn’t on my brother.

It was on the shadows at the edge of the clearing.

Where he stood.

Alaric.

His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable. But his eyes—his eyes burned into mine.

And in that moment, I knew.

The game had just begun.