His Abandoned Luna Chapter 161

|| Third-party POV ||

The whiskey burned Elias’ throat as he swallowed, the amber liquid doing little to soothe the unease coiling in his gut. The garden had emptied, most guests drifting away into the night, leaving only the lingering scent of roses and cigar smoke.

Alexander clinked his glass against Elias’ with a smirk. "Cheers to your new life."

"Yeah, cheers," Elias muttered, his gaze drifting to where Lilac had stood moments ago. She’d looked at him like he was something she’d scraped off her boot.

Alexander followed his stare. "Why the long face?"

"I don’t think Lilac is happy about the announcement." The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Alexander chuckled, refilling Elias’ glass. "You don’t know that. Besides, one kiss from you will melt her down. That’s how strong the mate bond is."

Elias’ fingers tightened around his glass. "It’s not that simple." He shouldn’t be saying this. Alexander had never been his ally—not until recently, when the man had suddenly warmed up to him after rising in the council. Politics, Elias thought bitterly. But the alcohol loosened his tongue. "We’re soulmates, but she doesn’t care about me."

Alexander’s brow arched. "What do you mean?"

"We haven’t even kissed." The admission tasted like ash.

"Ah. I see the problem." Alexander leaned in, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "You need to show her who her Alpha is."

Elias stiffened. "What are you implying?"

"A little… persuasion." Alexander’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Maybe that’s why she’s distant. If you want, we can arrange something for you two."

Elias’ pulse spiked. "Like what?"

"Leave that to me." Alexander slung an arm around his shoulders, steering him toward a waiting car.

Every step Elias took felt heavier, his limbs sluggish. The world tilted slightly, the edges of his vision blurring.

The drink.

Something was wrong.

But before he could protest, Alexander was bundling him into the car, his voice smooth as silk. "Lilac will be here too. Madeline’s driving her."

Elias’ head lolled against the seat. "Okay."

The last thing he saw before darkness swallowed him was Alexander’s smile—sharp as a blade.

\---

|| Lilac’s POV ||

"That’s enough." Madeline plucked the wineglass from my fingers before I could take another sip.

I scowled. "I need this."

"No, you need your senses," Elara said, looping her arm through mine.

"Why?"

Astrid smirked. "You’ll see."

Before I could argue, they were herding me out of the garden, past the straggling guests—most of them my father’s men, their eyes sharp, their postures tense.

"Where are we going? I live here, Maddy." I protested.

"You will see," Elara said, steering me toward Madeline’s car.

As we reached her car, a shadow detached itself from the trees.

Alaric.

He strode near us, his eyes never leaving mine.

"You three go ahead," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I’ll drive her."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "You know, she’s safe with us."

"Can’t take chances with my Luna’s safety," Alaric replied, his smirk doing things to my pulse. My cheeks warmed up.

"Where are we even going?" I demanded as he guided me to his car.

"You’ll see."

The moment the door shut, he leaned over, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that stole my breath.

"I missed you all evening," he murmured against my ear, his voice rough.

"You made plans with my father and left me in the dark," I accused, though my traitorous body leaned into his touch.

"I told you I’d take you to my pack after the ceremony." His thumb traced my jaw. "Had to plan my way in."

"So what’s next?"

"You’ll see."

The car rolled to a stop outside a secluded villa, its windows glowing softly in the dark. Madeline’s car was already there.

And Alexander’s.

My stomach twisted. "What’s going on?"

Madeline met us at the door, her grin sharp. "Ready?"

"For what?"

Alaric’s hand settled on the small of my back, his touch both comfort and warning. "For the show."