His Abandoned Luna Chapter 191

|| Lilac’s POV ||

The invitation lay heavy in my hands, its silver-edged parchment catching the afternoon light. I traced the embossed Nightshade crest, that familiar twisting vine encircling a crescent moon, feeling the weight of centuries in its design.

"To honor the new era," it proclaimed in Alaric's bold script.

I knew what he wasn't saying.

This wasn't just a celebration. It was a trap dressed in silk and champagne.

The fire crackled as I studied the guest list again. Every noble house. Every allied pack.

Marcus leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "He's really doing it then? The full Nightshade reveal?"

I nodded, folding the parchment with deliberate care. "After three hundred years in the shadows, it's time."

He sighed, "But the risk-"

"Is calculated." I met his worried gaze. "The rogues are scattered. The witch strongholds burned. What better time to lure out whoever's left?"

The truth sat unspoken between us. Agatha would come. She couldn't resist. Not when the last Nightshade heir claimed the throne that should have been hers by now.

Marcus exhaled sharply. "And you? Walking into that viper's nest as his declared mate?"

My fingers drifted unconsciously to the barely-there swell beneath my dress. "Where else would I be? The Goddess has bound me with him."

Outside, the first snow of winter began to fall, dusting the training grounds where Alaric drilled his warriors. Even through the thick glass, I could hear his voice - that particular blend of command and promise that made wolves follow him into hell itself.

Soon, the entire kingdom would hear it too.

I pressed a hand to the chilled windowpane.

Let them come.

Let them all see what happens when shadows decide to step into the light.

"But you are carrying our heir. What if something goes wrong?" Marcus said.

"Nothing will go wrong when I have him by my side," I whispered as my hand caressed my stomach.

"Very well then," Marcus sighed.

"Marcus, have faith," I said and he nodded before he left.

The door creaked open again, and Elizabeth hovered in the doorway, her usual confident posture replaced by something more hesitant. Her fingers twisted the silver bracelet at her wrist—the one I'd seen her fiddle with during tense pack meetings.

"You busy?" she asked, her voice softer than I'd ever heard it.

I set aside the coronation invitations I'd been sealing. "What do you need, Elizabeth?"

She stepped inside, closing the door with unusual care.

"I owe you an apology." The words seemed to cost her something. "We started on the wrong foot."

I arched my eyebrow, waiting.

Elizabeth exhaled sharply and perched on the edge of my dressing table.

"It's just—" She gestured vaguely, the bracelet clinking softly. "When you first came, all starry-eyed over Kael, then suddenly declaring you have found your mate yet you clinged to Alaric..." Her jaw worked. "We thought you were playing with his heart. That you would leave him broken when the novelty wore off."

A quiet laugh escaped me.

"That bad, huh?" I touched my stomach unconsciously, remembering my own blindness. He was right there but I ignored him.

Elizabeth's sharp features softened.

"Seeing you together now... the way he looks at you..." She shook her head. "All I've ever wanted was his happiness. The man has carried the weight of the world since he was a boy." Her throat worked. "If you're what makes him smile like that, then I can make peace with it."

Something warm unfurled in my chest.

"Besides, I know you care about the pack too. You were pregnant and still you fought to protect us. You are a true Luna to us," she bowed unexpectedly.

"Thank you, Elizabeth," I smiled.

"So... you forgive me? Just like that?" She said with wide eyes.

"Remember what you said just a moment ago? I am the Luna, a mother to the pack. How can a mother bear grudge against her child?" I explained as my smile widened.

She smiled back.

"How's the pup?" she asked, eyeing my slightly bumped stomach with poorly concealed curiosity.

I smiled, running a hand over the swell. "Growing stronger every day."

Elizabeth hesitated, then held out a hand. "May I?"

At my nod, she pressed her palm gently against my belly. We waited in breathless silence until—

"There!" Elizabeth's eyes widened as she felt the distinct flutter beneath her hands. "Was that—?"

"He moved," I confirmed, grinning. The werewolf pups develop faster than the human ones.

Without thinking, Elizabeth placed both hands on my stomach, her voice dropping to a reverent whisper. "I'll protect you and your mother until my last breath. I swear on the Goddess."

The fierceness in her promise surprised us both. For the first time, Elizabeth's sharp eyes held no hostility— only the fierce loyalty that had always been there, just misdirected.

I covered her hands with mine. "Thank you."

Her answering smile was small but real.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

The coral pink gown spilled across my bed like liquid sunrise, its delicate embroidery catching the afternoon light. I ran my fingers over the intricate silver threads woven into the bodice - tiny crescent moons and vines that mirrored the Nightshade crest. Alaric had chosen well. This wasn't just a dress; it was armor.

I held it against myself before the mirror, watching how the silk shimmered with every breath. In three days, I would wear this when Alaric claimed his throne. When the Nightshades emerged from the shadows at last.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Luna?" Endora slipped inside, her healer's robes smelling of dried herbs and something faintly metallic. Her eyes softened as they landed on the gown. "It's stunning."

"Alaric had it made," I said, unable to suppress my smile. "For the coronation."

Her wrinkled hands smoothed nonexistent wrinkles from the fabric. "The entire kingdom will be there. Even..." She hesitated.

"Agatha." The name tasted like poison. "Let her come. Let them all come."

Her expression turned grave. "There’s something you must know. I went to the castle to check on the arrangements. I am afraid the potions might not work on the witches,"

The silk suddenly felt too tight. "What do you mean?"

"The castle is cursed. I could sense it." Endora's eyes narrowed.

"What!" A gasp felt my lips. Everything would fall apart if the potions didn't work.

"An old magic, festering for decades," She confirmed.

My reflection paled in the mirror. "Like the Nightshade curse."

"Exactly." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "This magnitude requires blood sacrifice. A soul-bond severed violently."

"Same was with the Nightshades. A soul mate, a precious wolf was sacrificed." I whispered.

"And I think something similar happened there too. and if that is the case, the witches will know and they will use that dark power to their advantage." She said.

Suddenly the world blurted. Runa! I called for her as I found myself again by the waterfall.

The familiar mist kissed my skin as I materialized by the cascading waters. Runa stood waiting, her golden fur glowing with an unearthly light.

"Listen, Lilac. I have a message from the goddess," she murmured, nuzzling my hand.

"What is it?" I asked.

'The Nightshades curse started with an alpha and it was always on the alphas. Alaric's mother has nothing to do with the curse or the throne,' Runa's ears flattened.

'So her death... it wasn't the curse but something else.' I gasped.

'A mate was sacrificed. that's what Endora said.' Runa spoke meaningfully.

Luna Aria's face flashed in my mind— the previous queen, dead under mysterious circumstances. Alaric thought it was the curse.

Runa whispered as the vision faded, 'ask him.'

"Luna... Lilac... are you ok?" a sudden jerk on my shoulder brought me back. The waterfall faded. I was sitting on the bed and Endore was looking at me with worries. Was that another vision given by the goddess?

"I am fine," I said.

"I better report this to Alpha," She spoke.

"I am going to see the Alpha King," I stood up.

"The king? what for?" Her voice was laced with surprise.

"I think you should come with me as well." I continued. "But don't pull Alaric here. He already has a lot to deal with."

"Understood," she nodded.