His Abandoned Luna Chapter 42

|| Lilac’s POV ||

As I lay down on my bed, my mind raced with thoughts of the day’s events. It was all too much to process. I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm in my mind, but it was no use. Just as I was about to give up and get up, I felt a familiar presence in the room.

“Alaric,” I whispered, sitting up abruptly. He was there, standing in the shadows, his presence both comforting and unsettling. Without thinking, I jumped off the bed and ran to him, wrapping my arms around him and inhaling his familiar scent of pine and earth. But something felt off. His body was tense, his arms stiff at his sides.

“So, you still remember me?” His voice was harsh and low, sending a shiver down my spine.

I pulled back, my heart pounding as I searched his face. “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice trembling.

His hand pressed against my jaw, his grip firm but not painful, as he claimed my lips in a kiss that was demanding and possessive. It was unlike any kiss we had shared before... raw, intense, and filled with a desperation that left me breathless.

When he finally pulled back, I was gasping for air, my heart racing and my mind spinning. He looked into my eyes, his gaze dark and intense. “Didn’t I make it clear?” he growled, his voice low and filled with a possessive edge. “You. Are. Mine.”

I swear I heard his wolf growling, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.

“Alaric… what happened?” I whispered, my voice filled with hurt and confusion.

“Stay away from Alexander,” he said, his eyes flashing with a tint of red as if his wolf was trying to take over.

“Alexander?” I stared at him blankly, my mind struggling to catch up. Slowly, it dawned on me. He was worried. Jealous, even. A small smile tugged at my lips as I curled my arms around his neck.

“Are you jealous?” I asked, my voice teasing.

He was taken aback, his expression shifting from anger to surprise.

“What? No,” he declared promptly, though the faint blush on his cheeks betrayed him.

I giggled, unable to help myself, and pecked his lips once. “You don’t have to worry about him, Alaric. I have nothing to do with him.”

His expression softened, the tension in his body easing as he pulled me closer.

“Good,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with relief. “Because I’m not sharing you with anyone.”

I smiled, my heart swelling with affection.

“Dinner?” I had asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me. My heart had been pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

“My treat,” I added quickly, wanting to show him that I could take care of myself too. But Alaric had other plans.

“That won’t do,” he said, his voice firm but gentle as he leaned in and pecked my lips again. The brief kiss sent a shiver down my spine, his closeness making my heart race. His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin.

“I can’t let you pay, Dove. Never.” His words were soft but carried a weight that made my chest ache with affection. “I will always take care of you.”

The way he said it so effortlessly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world left me speechless. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, the way they softened as they met mine. It wasn’t just about dinner or money; it was about him wanting to be there for me, to protect me, to make me feel cherished. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I deserved that kind of love.

“Get ready,” he said, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts. “I’ll pick you up by five.”

He left a lingering kiss on my forehead, his lips warm against my skin, before turning and walking away. The warmth of Alaric’s presence lingered in the room even after he left, his words echoing in my mind like a melody I couldn’t shake. My fingers brushed against my lips where his kiss still lingered. The intensity of his emotions, the possessiveness in his touch, and the vulnerability in his voice had left me breathless. I couldn’t help but smile, my cheeks flushing as I replayed the moment in my head. I stood there for a moment, my heart pounding, before I finally snapped out of it and rushed to my wardrobe.

I opened my wardrobe, the rows of dresses and outfits staring back at me. I wanted to look perfect for tonight, not because I needed to impress Alaric, but because I wanted to feel confident, beautiful, and like the version of myself I was slowly becoming. I pulled out a few dresses, holding them up to the light and scrutinizing each one.

The first was a sleek black dress, elegant and timeless, but it felt too formal for a casual dinner. The second was a flowy floral dress, soft and feminine, but it didn’t quite match the mood I was going for. Finally, I settled on a deep emerald green dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. The fabric was soft and luxurious, the color bringing out the warmth in my skin and the gold flecks in my eyes. I paired it with simple gold jewelry and a pair of heels that added just the right amount of height.

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the fabric and adjusting the straps. My hair fell in loose waves over my shoulders, and I had opted for a natural makeup look just enough to enhance my features without overpowering them. I looked… good. Confident. Like someone who had been through hell and come out stronger on the other side. I smiled at my reflection, feeling a surge of pride.

As I stepped downstairs, I called out, “I’m leaving!”

Ezra, who was lounging on the couch, looked up with a smirk. “Where are you off to?”

“Nowhere specific,” I said, trying to sound casual.

Mom appeared from the kitchen, her eyes lighting up as she took in my outfit. “Look at you, all dressed up. Did Alexander already ask you for a date?” she asked, her tone teasing.

“Mom!” I exclaimed, my cheeks flushing.

“Omg, he moves quick,” Ezra said, his grin widening.

“Think whatever you want to. I’m leaving!” I said, grabbing my bag and walking out the door before they could say anything else. I could hear their laughter behind me, and I couldn’t help but smile despite my embarrassment.

As soon as I stepped outside, a sleek black Bentley pulled up to the curb. I couldn’t help but notice how Alaric always seemed to show up in fancy cars. People called him the banished son, but from the way he carried himself confident, composed, and effortlessly commanding I doubted he was as abandoned as they claimed. There was more to him than met the eye, and I was determined to uncover every layer.

I quickly got into the car, making sure my mom and Ezra didn’t see who had picked me up. It would have been… complicated if they knew I was spending time with Alaric. As soon as I closed the door, Alaric turned to me, his eyes lighting up with appreciation.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said, his voice warm and filled with affection.

“Hey,” I replied, my smile matching his.

“Ready?” he asked, his hand resting on the gearshift.

“Yeah,” I said, buckling my seatbelt.

He drove us away from the house, and I glanced back to see my mom and Ezra standing at the window, watching us go. Thankfully, the car’s tinted windows hid Alaric from view, and I let out a sigh of relief. Tonight was about us, and I didn’t want anything or anyone to ruin it.

As we drove, Alaric reached over, his fingers brushing against mine before he entwined them together. His thumb traced gentle circles over my skin, sending warmth through my entire body.

“You look stunning, Dove,” he murmured, his voice laced with admiration.

I blushed, looking away. “You always say that.”

“Because it’s always true.” He brought my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. “But tonight, there’s something different about you.”

I turned back to him, my heart hammering in my chest. “Different how?”

He stole a quick glance at me before focusing back on the road. “You look… happy. Like you’re finally allowing yourself to breathe.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, his words striking a chord deep within me. “Maybe I am.”

His grip on my hand tightened slightly, as if reassuring me. “Good. Because I want to be the reason you smile like that every day.”