His Abandoned Luna Chapter 174

|| Lilac’s POV ||

Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, painting golden stripes across the tangled sheets. I woke slowly, cocooned in warmth, Alaric's arm a heavy weight around my waist, his breath warm against the back of my neck.

I shifted, and his grip tightened.

"Mm. No." His voice was rough with sleep, his lips brushing my shoulder. "Five more minutes."

Then his fingers trailed up my bare spine, calloused and teasing. Sparks ran through my skin, making it comfortable and wanting all at once.

"Morning, dove," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

I shivered as his touch, pressing my back against him. Then I spoke finally, "someone's awake early."

His chuckle vibrated against my skin. "Blame the woman in my bed."

I rolled over to face him, my lips curling into a smirk. "Oh? And who might that be?"

Alaric's eyes darkened, his hand sliding down to grip my hip. "A menace. A thorn in my side. A pain in my-"

I smirked, wiggling deliberately. "I thought Alphas were supposed to be early risers. And disciplined. "

His hand slid lower, fingertips tracing the curve of my hip. "Depends on what I'm rising for."

I cut him off with a kiss, biting his lower lip hard enough to make him growl.

"Careful," he warned, flipping me onto my back with terrifying ease. "Or we won't leave this room today."

I curled my arms around his neck as I challenged him, “what if I don’t want you to leave?”

But the moment was spoiled as a sharp knock at the door shattered the moment.

"Alpha." Marcus's gruff voice carried through the wood. "The Alpha King is here. He's waiting in the study."

Alaric stilled above me, his expression morphing from heated to murderous in seconds. "Tell him to fuck off."

"That won't do and you know that," Marcus’ voice came through the door.

I stiffened. "The Alpha King?"

"Looks like we will be having a morning father-son chat," Alaric muttered, rolling off me with a sigh.

He kissed my forehead as he said, "get dressed."

"Me?" I widened my eyes.

"Yes, I don’t want you to hide in my closet. The king has graced us with his presence. Do your part as my luna," He winked as he left the room.

I dressed quickly, my fingers fumbling with the buttons of my blouse. The Alpha King, Darius, was here. In Alaric's pack. And from the way Alaric had shown frustration at the mention of his name, this wasn't a social call.

The study was dim, the heavy oak doors muffling the voices inside. I hesitated, then it opened as I heard Alaric, "come in."

Darius stood at the window, his broad back to us, his hair catching the morning light. He turned slowly, his golden eyes which were so much like Kael's, landing first on Alaric, then on me.

"Lilac," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "I didn't expect to see you here. Does Benson know?"

“Yes, my king,” I bowed.

“I thought I would get to talk to my son alone,” Darius said.

I was about to leave but Alaric stepped forward, his posture rigid. "She stays."

Darius arched his eyebrow. "Does she now?"

"Get to the point," Alaric snapped.

The Alpha King exhaled, rubbing his temple.

"Kael is out of the election. The last night’s incident was the last straw. He is not fit to rule." His lip curled slightly at the word. "I want you to stand in the election instead."

Silence.

I blinked, my gaze darting between them.

Alaric laughed, a sharp, bitter sound that echoed in the room, "No."

The king defended himself immediately, "you're my firstborn, my blood, my son-"

"And that means nothing," Alaric cut in, his voice a whip-crack. "You lost the right to call me that when you brought Cassandra home."

Darius's jaw tightened. "This isn't about the past. This is about the future of our people."

"Then find someone else." Alaric's voice was final.

"There is no one else!" Darius's composure slipped, his fist slamming onto the desk. "Kael is a disgrace. The other contenders are weak. You're the only one with the strength to lead."

"Alexander is a good choice." Alaric said lazily.

"He is not my flesh and blood," the alpha king said.

"I said no." Alaric's voice dropped to a growl, the air around him thickening with barely restrained power. "I will not take the throne. Not now. Not ever."

Darius's gaze flicked to me, calculating. "And what does she think of that?"

I stiffened. The word hung between us, heavy with implication.

Alaric stepped into Darius's space, his voice lethally quiet. "Leave her out of this."

Darius's gaze cut to me. "You're awfully quiet."

"She has nothing to do with this," Alaric snapped.

"Doesn't she?" Darius narrowed his eyes. "The Blackwood heir, hiding out in your bed? Her mate incident didn't die down and yet she is here. The rumors alone-"

"Enough." Alaric's voice was a growl, his eyes flashing dangerously. "You don't get to talk about her. Don't forget you are in my territory. Be respectful to my Luna."

“Alaric,” I pressed my hand on his shoulder. No matter what, he was still the king and his father.

Alaric curled his arm around my waist, and pulled me closer. His nose inhaled my scent as if he was trying to calm himself.

For a long moment, no one spoke. Then Darius exhaled sharply, straightening his jacket.

"Think on it," he said, moving toward the door. "The election is in two weeks."

Alaric didn't respond.

The door clicked shut behind the king, and the tension in the room snapped like a bowstring.

I turned to Alaric. "Why did you say no?"

His expression was unreadable. "Because the throne is cursed, Lilac. And I won't drag you into that hell with me."