His Abandoned Luna Chapter 165

|| Lilac’s POV ||

The scent of pine and aged parchment filled the spacious bedroom as I unpacked my belongings into the dark oak wardrobe. Alaric’s packhouse was nothing like home— the walls were thicker, everything was close to nature and the silence was heavier. Every movement echoed, reminding me just how far I was from the familiar comforts of my family’s estate.

My fingers lingered on the sleeve of a silk blouse, the fabric smooth against my skin. Father agreed to this too easily. The thought gnawed at me. He had barely protested when Alaric insisted I stay under his protection, away from the capital’s growing unrest. Away from Elias, who had been conveniently dispatched to the border on some fabricated investigation.

"For your safety," Dad had said, his voice gruff.

"And for theirs," Alaric had added, his grey eyes unreadable.

I swallowed hard, folding the blouse with more force than necessary. They were hiding something— something bigger than Elias, bigger than rogue attacks. And once again, I was the last to know.

A soft knock at the door startled me.

The girl who stood in the doorway couldn’t have been older than eighteen, her honey-brown curls tied back in a messy braid, her hands clasped nervously in front of a simple linen dress.

"Luna Lilac," she murmured, dipping into a quick curtsy. "Alpha Alaric sent me. I’m Mira— I’m to look after you while you’re here."

Her voice was warm, her smile genuine, but the title "Luna" made my stomach twist. I’m not his Luna. Not yet. Would I ever be! With everything happening around, wishing for a fairytale was a foolish dream.

"Just Lilac is fine," I said, forcing a smile. "And you don’t need to be courteous."

Mira’s shoulders relaxed slightly. "Alpha said you might say that."

Of course he did.

"Where is Alaric?" I asked, glancing past her into the empty hallway.

"Pack business. There was… an incident this morning." Her gaze flickered away, and the unease in my chest tightened.

"What kind of incident?"

Mira hesitated. "Maybe it’s better if he explains."

The packhouse was alive with murmured conversations and hurried footsteps, the air thick with tension. Warriors clustered in small groups, their expressions grim. Healers moved between them, their hands stained with herbs and blood.

"What happened?" I asked Mira under my breath.

Before she could answer, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence."

Elizabeth stood at the base of the staircase, her arms crossed, her dark eyes burning with contempt. She had never made her dislike for me a secret, but today, her hostility was razor-sharp.

"Elizabeth," I said evenly.

"Because of you, three of our warriors are in the infirmary," she spat. "Rogues attacked at dawn. They were looking for you."

The words hit like a physical blow. "I didn’t know."

"You don’t belong here," Elizabeth interrupted, stepping closer. "You’re not our Luna. You’re a liability."

Mira shifted beside me, her voice surprisingly firm for someone so young. "Elizabeth, the Alpha said—"

"I don’t care what the Alpha said," Elizabeth snapped. "This pack doesn’t need more enemies. And you don't deserve him. You are a curse to us. To all of us!"

The accusation hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Elizabeth walked away leaving me dumbfounded.

"She is always sharp tongue. Don't listen to her, Luna," Mira squeezed my hand.

Another attack! Who was behind this time? Kael? Cassandra? Why couldn't they just let me be! I didn’t reply to Mira, instead my nose picked up the scent of pinewoods and I followed it.

The scent led me to his study. I took a deep breath before opening the door. As I entered, I found his broad frame hunched over a map littered with markers. The moment I stepped inside, his head snapped up, his grey eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.

“Dove?” Alaric looked at me with concerns.

"Those rogues attacked because of me? Right?" My voice trembled despite my efforts to steady it.

"Who told you that?” His jaw tightened. He was always like this, trying to protect me!

“That’s not the point,” I replied, trying to hold back my emotions.

“A group showed up at dawn,” Alaric sighed.

"How bad is it?" I asked.

Alaric exhaled sharply, running a hand through his already disheveled hair.

"Three injured. None dead. It could have been worse. Nothing to be worried about," he smiled that didn't reach his eyes. I could sense his tension.

"I want to see them." I demanded. I didn't buy his words.

"No." Alaric’s voice was final.

"They got hurt because of me!" I protested.

"They got hurt because rogues attacked," Alaric corrected, his voice low and firm. "This isn’t your fault."

"Then whose is it?" I demanded, my hands curling into fists. "Elias? Kael? Some faceless enemy we still don’t understand? Because I’m tired of being kept in the dark, Alaric. I’m tired of people getting hurt while I stand around waiting for answers!"

The room fell silent. Alaric’s jaw worked, his eyes searching mine for a long moment before he finally spoke.

"That’s not it."

I blinked. "What?"

"We are not hiding anything, dove." He stepped around the desk, closing the distance between us.

"Trust me." He whispered as he pulled me closer.

"Why was Elias sent out to the border suddenly?" I asked.

His hand brushed mine, a fleeting touch that sent warmth swirling through my veins.

"He volunteered," he added, but his smirk told me there was more to it. His voice dropped to a whisper, "Are you worried about your mate?"

"I am not," I protested instantly. I was worried about you, Alaric. I was worried that I would hurt those who were close to my heart.

"You have done enough, Dove. Leave the rest to me," he kissed my temple as he said.