His Abandoned Luna Chapter 190

|| Lilac’s POV ||

Alaric didn’t speak as he lifted me into his arms, his grip firm yet reverent, as if I were something fragile and sacred all at once. The moment his chest pressed against mine, the dam inside me cracked. Tears I’d held back for weeks spilled over, soaking into the fabric of his torn shirt. He smelled of pine and blood and exhaustion, but beneath it all— home.

His arms tightened around me as he carried me through the silent halls, his heartbeat a steady drum against my ear. The packhouse faded behind us, the night air cool against my heated skin.

"You’re shaking," he murmured into my hair.

I curled my fingers into his collar. "I thought you would never come back."

His steps faltered. A ragged breath escaped him, his voice rough as gravel. "I will always come back to you."

The door to our house creaked open, the scent of lavender and old books wrapping around us. Alaric didn’t set me down. Not when he kicked the door shut behind us. Not when he crossed the living room. Not until he reached the bedroom, where he finally lowered me onto the edge of the bed, his hands lingering on my waist as if afraid I’d vanish.

Moonlight streamed through the curtains, painting silver streaks across his face. His calloused thumbs brushed away my tears, his eyes searching mine. "Talk to me, Dove."

The words tumbled out like a flood. "I was so angry at you for leaving. So scared something would happen— that I would never get to tell you about the baby, that you would never know—" My voice broke.

His forehead dropped to mine, his breath warm against my lips. "I’m sorry. For not being here. For making you carry this alone."

I gripped his wrists. "You were protecting us."

"That’s no excuse." His voice was raw. "I should have felt it. Should have known you were—" His gaze dropped to my stomach, his throat working. "Goddess, Lilac, I left you while you were carrying my child. I left my mate vulnerable to fight for this pack. "

I guided his hand to the slight swell beneath my dress. His fingers trembled.

"Our child and you did it because you are the true king," I whispered.

A shudder ran through him. Then, slowly, he sank to his knees before me, his arms wrapping around my hips as he pressed his lips to my stomach. His shoulders shook.

"I don’t deserve you," he rasped.

I carded my fingers through his dark hair. "You deserve everything."

He looked up at me, his storm-gray eyes glistening. "When I heard about the rogue attack— when Marcus told me you shifted and Runa was fighting—" His grip tightened. "I nearly burned the world down to get to you."

I swallowed hard. "I would do it again. For our pack, for our people."

"I know." His thumb traced my jaw. "That’s what terrifies me."

We lay tangled in the sheets, his palm splayed over my belly, he finally asked the question that had haunted the room since the council meeting.

"Are you sure about this? About the throne?"

I turned in his arms to face him. "Do you not want it?"

His gaze darkened. "I want you safe. The curse, the witches, the target it’ll paint on your back—"

I pressed my fingers to his lips. "The only thing I’ve ever been sure of is you, even when I had a mate out there."

He caught my hand, kissing my palm. "If I do this… if I take that crown, I need you to promise me something."

"Anything."

His voice dropped to a whisper. "Promise you won’t sacrifice yourself. Not for the throne. Not for the pack. Not even for our child. Not even for me." His eyes burned into mine. "I can’t lose you, Lilac. I won’t. You come first, always."

The raw desperation in his voice undid me. I kissed him, pouring every ounce of my love into it. When I pulled back, my lips brushed his as I spoke.

"Then we protect each other. Together." I smiled.

His arms tightened around me, his breath warm against my skin. "No, you need to be protected. No running behind the rogues."

"I have Runa now," I said.

"Doesn’t change a thing. You are mine to protect, dove. And my Luna never needs to lift a single finger in the fight," his voice was final. So this was the power of the bond, warmth of a mate.