His Abandoned Luna Chapter 51

|| Alaric’s POV ||

I glanced at Lilac again, my gaze softening as I took in the curve of her cheek, the way her lashes brushed against her skin when she blinked. She was so beautiful, so strong in ways that had nothing to do with her wolf. She had survived so much, endured so much, and yet she was still here, still fighting. I wouldn’t let her face anything alone. Not now, not ever.

Reaching over, I gently took her hand in mine, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. She turned to look at me, her eyes wide and questioning, and I gave her a small smile. “Everything okay?” she asked, her voice soft, like a melody I never wanted to end.

“Yeah,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Everything’s perfect.”

She smiled back, her eyes lighting up in a way that made my heart skip a beat. But beneath the warmth of her smile, I could see the faintest hint of something else— something fragile, something she was trying to hide. It only made me more determined to protect her, to shield her from whatever darkness she carried.

‘We’ll figure this out,’ I told Hunter, my voice firm. ‘No matter what it takes, we’ll make sure she’s safe. She’s ours, and we’re not letting anything happen to her.’

Hunter growled in agreement, his presence a steady, reassuring force in my mind. ‘Always.’

As I drove, my hand still holding Lilac’s, I made a silent promise to myself.

Lilac asked me to drive her to a café in the neighborhood. Her friend would drop her home, she said. I didn’t argue, though the thought of her leaving made my chest tighten. I wanted to keep her close, to protect her from whatever was troubling her, but I knew I couldn’t push her. She would tell me when she was ready. Until then, I would do whatever I could to help her.

“Thanks for driving me back,” she said, her voice soft and melodic, like a song I could listen to forever.

“Anytime, Dove,” I replied, my voice warm despite the ache in my chest.

I watched her walk out of the car, her movements graceful but hesitant. She paused for a moment, her back to me, and I felt a surge of longing so intense it took my breath away.

“Just let me know once you’re home,” I called after her, my voice steady but my heart racing.

She froze for a second, then nodded. “Yeah,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“And…” I trailed off, my mind racing with all the things I wanted to say but couldn’t. Is everything okay? Do you trust me? Can I help you? Is your wolf okay?

“Is everything okay?” I asked instead, my voice gentle.

“Yeah, all good,” she replied, but her tone was hollow, her words lacking the warmth I had come to cherish.

“Do you want to share something with me?” I pressed, my heart aching at the distance between us.

“Did I upset you somehow?” I asked again, my voice softer this time.

She stayed silent for a moment, her back still to me. Then she turned, a smile on her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes. It was a fake smile, one that broke my heart.

“All good, Alaric. I just need some time,” she said, her voice steady but her eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place.

I sighed, the weight of her words pressing down on me. She didn’t trust me. Not fully. And I couldn’t blame her. She had been devoted to Kael for so long, and he had shattered her. Maybe I had rushed her into this new relationship too soon. Maybe she needed time to heal, to find herself again.

“Alright, take care, Dove,” I said, my voice filled with a quiet resignation.

She nodded and walked into the café. I watched her through the window as she sat down at a table by the window, joining a gamma female I didn’t recognize. I turned the car around, my mind a whirlwind of emotions.

The moment she left my side, I felt a void, an emptiness that gnawed at my chest. Hunter howled in pain, his soul aching as if a part of him had been left behind. The car felt colder than usual, the silence deafening. I turned my head to the passenger seat, inhaling deeply. Her scent was still there, strong and intoxicating, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted her here, beside me, where she belonged.

I know we just met, princess, I thought, my heart heavy with longing. But I miss you already.