His Abandoned Luna Chapter 167

|| Lilac’s POV ||

The woods smelled of damp earth and pine, the afternoon sun filtering through the canopy in golden shafts that painted the forest floor in flickering light. Birdsong drifted through the trees, mingling with the distant rush of a creek. It was peaceful here— far from the packhouse, far from prying eyes.

Endora’s words echoed in my mind. "Stay close to nature. Train your body. Let it remind your wolf what she is fighting for."

A twig snapped behind me.

I didn’t need to turn to know it was Alaric. His presence was like a living thing, a pulse of heat against my back, the scent of pine and something darker, wilder, wrapping around me before he even spoke. I inhaled, trying to melt in that fire, in his fire! It was solitude! My peace, my alpha!

"Ready?" His voice was rough, edged with something that made my stomach tighten.

Given the current circumstances, Alaric even suggested it would be better if I learn a few moves. From him, personally. No the usual drills I was doing every mirning with Mira. Hence here we were.

I turned, and my breath hitched at the sight!

He stood bare-chested, the hard planes of his torso glistening with a sheen of sweat from the run here. His tattoos— those intricate, swirling marks that hid his own secrets — stood out starkly against his skin. His grey eyes burned into mine, unreadable.

"You’re staring, Dove," he murmured.

"You’re distracting. Couldn't you have worn a shirt or something?" I shot back, trying to steady my pulse.

His lips curled. "I prefer to train this way."

Damn this man! I sighed.

“Alright! Eyes up here,” he ordered. And my cheeks burned up. It was hard to look away, specifically when you know how he could make you feel.

It snapped me out of my trance and I moved with my full strength. I used to train with Ezra when I was young but then I was focused on Kael.... too focused that I forgot all my other purposes. Even after being the Luna Queen, I never learned to fight. Good thing was, I came back in time. And it was only a matter of few months when those training were done with Ez. Hence my body was still agile.

But as soon as I tried to make contact with Alaric, I failed miserably. And it kept going on.

"Again," Alaric ordered, circling me like a predator.

I lunged, aiming for his ribs. He sidestepped effortlessly, his hand snapping out to catch my wrist. His grip was firm, his skin scorching against mine.

"Too slow." He remarked.

"Then stop moving," I gritted out, twisting free.

He chuckled, low and dark. "That’s not how fights work, princess."

I feinted left, then swung right— only for him to catch me again, this time yanking me flush against him. My back hit his chest, his breath hot against my ear.

"Predictable," he murmured.

I elbowed him hard in the ribs.

He grunted, his grip loosening just enough for me to spin and shove him back.

"Not that predictable, huh?" I smirked. Finally, I landed a blow!

Alaric rubbed his side, his gaze sharpening. "Better."

We moved like that for what felt like hours— strike, counter, retreat. The forest became a blur, the only constants the heat of his body and the ragged sound of our breathing.

He was relentless. Every time I thought I’d gained the upper hand, he’d counter with brutal efficiency, his hands always finding me, always touching, a grip on my hip to correct my stance, a palm against my spine to steady me after a near fall. Sparks ran through my veins every time he touched them. And his abs weren't helping at all! How would I suppose to train when all I could think was licking his abs. Kissing his lips, and... oh! goddess save me!

"Focus," he growled when I stumbled, his fingers digging into my waist.

"I am," I snapped, shoving at his chest. It was a lie! Even a blind could see it.

He didn’t budge.

Instead, he leaned down, his mouth brushing the shell of my ear, making things even harder. "No, you’re not. You’re thinking about how close I am. How hard it is to breathe when I touch you."

My traitorous pulse leaped. "You are being arrogant."

"I'm being truthful," he corrected, his thumb tracing the dip of my hip bone. "Trust me, I know how hard it is."

I knee him in the thigh.

He laughed, the sound rough and approving, before twisting me around and pinning me against a tree. His body caged mine, his breath mingling with mine. "Now that was good."

Something in the air shifted.

The teasing tension snapped, replaced by something hotter, sharper. Alaric’s gaze dropped to my mouth. My skin prickled, every inch of me hyper aware of the way his chest rose and fell against mine.

"You’re still not focusing," he murmured, but his voice had gone husky.

"Then make me," I challenged.

His eyes flashed.

In one fluid motion, he spun us, flipping our positions until he was the one against the tree. His hands framed my face, his grip gentle but unyielding. "This isn’t a game, dove."

"Then stop playing," I breathed.

A beat.

Then finally he kissed me.

It wasn’t gentle. It was claiming, his mouth slanting over mine with a hunger that stole my breath. His fingers tangled in my hair, tilting my head back as he licked into my mouth, tasting me like a man starved.

I melted into him, my hands fisting in his hair, pulling him closer.

Somewhere, distantly, a wolf howled. Was it Runa! She was getting stronger and I could feel it

‘Mine’, Alaric’s growl echoed against my lips.