His Abandoned Luna Chapter 199

Lilac’s POV

The first light of dawn spilled through the arched windows, painting the palace in soft gold. I stood there, fingers pressed against the cool glass, watching the kingdom awaken below. The scent of morning dew and distant pine filled the air—but beneath it, something else lingered. Something sharp. Uneasy.

Aurora slept soundly in her cradle, her tiny fingers curled around the edge of her blanket.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead, my heart swelling and aching all at once. We fought so hard for this peace. So why does it feel like it’s slipping through my fingers?

The door creaked open, and Alaric stepped inside, his broad shoulders tense, his usual warmth replaced by a quiet intensity.

“You’re up early,” I murmured, turning to face him.

His gaze flickered to Aurora before meeting mine. “I didn’t sleep.”

That was unusual— and the shadows beneath his eyes were darker than usual.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, stepping closer.

He exhaled, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Three warriors from the southern border patrol never returned last night.”

A cold knot twisted in my stomach. “Rogues?”

“That’s the problem,” he said, voice low. “No signs of a struggle. No scent trails. They just… vanished. And we found these”

“Black Lilies,” I whispered. It was the same one we saw in Aurora’s crib.

My wolf stirred uneasily inside me, a low growl vibrating in my chest. She had been restless for days, her instincts prickling like thorns beneath my skin.

“You saw it too. Around Aurora... last night.”

Alaric’s voice was low, barely a whisper, but it sent a ripple of unease through her. He stood beside her now, his shadow stretching long over the crib, his grey eyes reflecting the same dread coiling in her chest.

“It wasn’t just the light,” she murmured.

His jaw tightened. “No. It wasn’t.”

“You feel it too,” Alaric said, watching me closely.

I nodded. “Like we’re being watched.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I’m doubling the guards. And I’m sending Alexander to investigate.”

My breath caught. Alexander? But Madeline was expecting their first child.

“Alaric…” I hesitated. “Madeline is due soon. If something happens to him—”

“I know.” His voice was rough. “But who else can we trust?”

I bit my lip. He was right. After the betrayals we’d faced, our circle of trust was painfully small.

“What if I go instead?” I said suddenly.

Alaric’s eyes flashed. “No.”

I argued, “I’m not just your Luna— I’m a warrior. And my wolf is stronger now than—”

“Lilac.” His hands gripped my shoulders, his voice dropping to a growl. “You’re the mother of my child. The queen to this kingdom. If Agatha is behind this, she’ll be waiting for you.”

I wanted to argue, but the fear in his eyes stopped me.

☆☆☆☆☆

The war room was thick with tension. Maps were sprawled across the table, marked with red ink where the disappearances had occurred. Alaric stood at the head, his presence commanding silence.

“No bodies. No blood. Just… gone,” Alexander muttered, tracing a finger along the southern border.

Darius and dad sat like statues. Astrid stiffened a bit.

Ezra crossed his arms. “Rogues don’t work this cleanly.”

“Unless they’re not acting alone,” I said softly.

The room fell silent.

Alaric’s voice was steel. “We treat this as a threat. Until we know otherwise, we assume the witches are behind it.”

A murmur of unease rippled through the room.

“This black lilly... what does it mean?” Astrid asked.

“This is no ordinary flower. It doesn’t just bloom in a bush,” Darius pointed.

Madeline, who had been standing quietly near the door, spoke up. “If it’s her… why now?”

All eyes turned to her. She was paler than usual, her hands resting protectively over her stomach.

Alaric’s gaze flickered to me before answering. “Because we’ve let our guard down.”

‘Or maybe she wants something,’ Runa added in my head, and I clenched my fists.

Alexander straightened. “We leave at first light.”

I hesitated. “but Madeline…”

His jaw tightened. “She knows the risks. We all do.”

“But she shouldn’t have to face them alone,” I said softly as my eyes drifted to her, “Not now.”

Alexander’s eyes darkened. “You think I don’t know that?” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration bleeding into his voice. “But if we don’t stop whatever’s happening, none of us will be safe. Not Madeline. Not our child. Not Aurora.”

The truth of his words settled heavily between us.

Ezra, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. “I’ll go with him.”

I turned to my brother, my chest tightening. “Ezra—”

“I’m not a kid anymore, Lilac,” he said firmly. “And I’m not letting him walk into this alone. It's time I take up some responsibility.”

Alexander clapped Ezra on the shoulder, a ghost of a smirk on his lips. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, pup.”

I swallowed hard. “Just… come back. Both of you.”

Alexander met my gaze, his expression solemn. “We will.”

But the unspoken promise hung in the air— if we can. Madeline’s breath hitched, but she said nothing.

I moved to her side, squeezing her hand.

“They’ll come back,” I whispered.

She gave me a shaky smile, but her eyes were haunted. “I know. My mate is one of the strongest Alphas, remember?”

“Maddy,” I wiped her tears.

“I am just hormonal, Lil. I am fine,” she said and I knew it was a lie.

☆☆☆☆☆

The night came sooner. I laid on the bed thinking of the events. Suddenly the surroundings dissolved and I found myself in the woods.

Not as a human, not as a queen— but as a wolf, my paws pounding against damp earth, the forest a blur around me. The air smelled of burning herbs and something metallic— blood or magic, I couldn’t tell.

A voice whispered through the trees. “You can’t protect her.”

I snarled, spinning, but there was no one there. Then I heard a child’s laughter. Aurora’s laughter.

I woke with a gasp, my heart hammering, my skin slick with sweat.

Alaric was already awake, his eyes glowing in the dark. “Dove?”

My voice came out hoarse. “She wants our baby.”

I rushed to the cradle. Aurora was sound sleep! Thank goddess she was ok. She was sleeping.