His Abandoned Luna Chapter 171

|| Lilac’s POV ||

The golden bowl hit the ground with a hollow clang, rolling across the grass as the last of the purple tinged flames flickered out. The acrid scent of burning blood and sacred herbs clung to the air, mixing with the shocked silence that had fallen over the gathered pack. My hands trembled at my sides, fingers curling into fists so tight my nails left crescent moons in my palms.

So this was how it was supposed to happen.

With the entire kingdom watching. With Coco's theatrical sobs ringing in my ears. With Elias's betrayal laid bare under the full moon's unforgiving light. Another spectacle with Lilac Blackwood in the middle of it!

Coco stood frozen beside Kael, her delicate fingers clutching at his sleeve like a lifeline. Her raven black hair, usually perfectly coiffed, fell in wild strands around her face, making her look younger. More vulnerable. The picture of a victim, of course.

Kael's golden eyes darkened to near black as he turned to her, his voice dangerously quiet.

"Explain."

A single word. A command.

Coco's lower lip trembled. Then, like a dam breaking, she collapsed into heaving sobs.

"H-he forced me!" she wailed, her voice cracking with such raw terror that even I almost believed her. "Elias said... he said he'd tell everyone I seduced him unless I…. unless I… Please believe me Kael…"

She broke off, pressing a hand to her mouth as if the words were too vile to speak. A single tear traced down her porcelain cheek.

The crowd erupted into murmurs, some shifting uncomfortably, others glaring at Elias with newfound disgust.

Elias's face drained of color.

"That's a lie! She is a whore." he snarled, taking a step forward.

Coco flinched, shrinking behind Kael.

"He said no one would believe me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "That I was just an omega, that my word meant nothing against a warrior's."

"You bitch," Elias spat, his usual composure shattering. "You came to me! You begged—"

"Liar!" Coco shrieked, her voice breaking. "You threatened me! Said you'd tell Kael I threw myself at you if I didn't... if I didn't..."

She dissolved into sobs again, her knees buckling as she sank to the ground in a pool of peach silk. "I was so scared..."

Kael stood over her, his chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven breaths. For the first time since I'd known him, the arrogant prince looked... dumbfounded. He was cock folded. That little mate of his played him, and he was clueless. Served him right! I tried really hard to keep the smile to myself.

Luna Cassandra stepped forward, her usually composed face twisted in fury.

"Stay away from my son," she hissed, her voice like ice. "You've done enough damage."

Coco flinched as if struck, her sobs growing louder.

Elias's eyes darted around the garden, calculating, desperate. Then, with a snarl, he turned on me.

"This isn't over, Lilac," he growled, his voice low and venomous. "You are mine. The Goddess herself decreed it. No matter what tricks your family pulls, no matter how many lies they spread, you belong to me."

The threat slithered down my spine, colder than the night air. Could he really do it?

“Try it,” Alexander stood between us with Ezra by his side. For a moment, I thought Elias might attack them.

Before anyone could react, he bolted, shoving past stunned guests and disappearing into the shadows. It took me by surprise.

Real heroic, Elias! Oh and good luck with your threat while Alaric is around. I smiled inwardly!

I took a step forward with a sigh! Finally it was over.

And then I saw him.

Alaric.

Standing at the edge of the garden, half hidden in the darkness, his storm-gray eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction.

Our gazes locked.

And for the first time that night, I smiled.

"Well," Dad said dryly, stepping up beside me. "That was... unexpected."

"At least, no one died," Ezra replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

Dad shot him a look. "Not yet." Then he turned and walked away, already barking orders at the guards to hunt Elias down.

The Alpha King's voice boomed across the garden. "Find him! Now!"

But Elias had moved too fast. He was gone.

"So," Elara sidled up to me, her dark eyes gleaming. "Did you like the show?"

I blinked. "How did you find out?"

"I followed Elias to the border," she said smugly. "And guess who I found him meeting there?"

"You followed him?" I gaped. "That's dangerous!"

Dad said the border was at unrest!

"Well, I had a bodyguard." Elara jerked her thumb at Ezra, who grinned. My eyes widened in disbelief.

"You two went together?" I hissed. "What's wrong with you?"

"Come on, Lil," Elara rolled her eyes.

"You're just a pup!" I argued.

Ezra straightened his posture, puffing out his chest. "I'm the Royal Beta now, remember?"

"Yeah! Right. You are still a half teenager, " I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Cheer up! Besides, Marcus was with us," Ezra said.

"Marcus!" I gasped.

"Yeah, Alaric insisted on that,” Elara added with an assuring smile.

“Your overprotective boyfriend and I quote: ‘your sister will eat me alive if something happens to you. Since I can't be there, Marcus will tag along’," Ezra chimed in, mimicking his voice.

“He is not my boyfriend,” I protested, slapping his hand. He grinned widely.

“That’s right. He is your ALPHA!” He teased again.

I looked at Alaric once more. He raised his glass to me in a silent toast and a smile tugged along his lips.A smile meant for me and me alone. I didn’t protest anymore. That's right. He was my alpha.

But despite my frustration, something warm unfurled in my chest.

They'd risked themselves for me. And he made sure Ezra and Elara weren't unprotected.

I wasn't alone anymore. My alpha was there, standing by my side. Mate or not, he was my partner for this life.