His Abandoned Luna Chapter 52

|| Lilac’s POV ||

As Alaric’s car disappeared down the road, I felt a hollow ache settle deep in my chest. It was as if a part of me had been ripped away, leaving behind an emptiness that I couldn’t shake. The sound of the engine faded, replaced by the distant hum of the city, but the silence in my heart was deafening. I stood there for a moment, my arms wrapped around myself, trying to hold onto the warmth of his presence that still lingered in the air. But it was no use. The void was there, gnawing at me, a constant reminder of what I couldn’t have.

I took a deep breath, the crisp morning air filling my lungs, and forced myself to turn away. The café was just a few steps ahead, its familiar facade a small comfort in the storm of emotions swirling inside me. The bell above the door jingled softly as I stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

The café was cozy, with its wooden floors and mismatched furniture giving it a rustic charm. The walls were adorned with framed photographs of the city, each one telling a story of its own. The soft hum of conversation filled the air, mingling with the gentle clinking of cups and saucers. It was a place I had come to love, a sanctuary where I could escape the chaos of the world, even if just for a little while.

I spotted Elara almost immediately, sitting at our usual spot by the window. She was sipping on a latte, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. A wide grin spread across her face, and she waved me over.

“Hey,” I said, forcing a smile as I slid into the seat across from her.

“Woo… look at you, all glowing,” she teased, her smirk widening as she took in my appearance. “Someone had a good night.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Elara had always been able to see right through me, and her teasing was both comforting and annoying at the same time.

“Oh, come on, spill the details,” she said, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “How was it? Was he as good as he looks? Did he cook for you? Or did he cook you?”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Elara, stop.”

“What? I’m just asking the important questions here,” she said, her tone playful. “You can’t just disappear for a night and not give me the details. That’s against the rules.”

“There are no rules,” I muttered, but I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped my lips. Elara had a way of making even the most awkward situations feel light and easy. Still, beneath the laughter, the weight of everything I was feeling pressed down on me, threatening to pull me under.

But as much as I tried to keep the mood light, the heaviness in my chest refused to budge. The Goddess’s words echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of the destiny I was supposed to fulfill. The hollow ache in my chest, the knowledge that Alaric wasn’t my destined mate— it was all too much. Finally, I gave up trying to deflect Elara’s questions and let out a heavy sigh.

“I don’t think it will work out,” I said, my voice quiet but firm.

Elara’s teasing smile faded, replaced by a look of concern.

“You mean Alaric and you?” she asked, her tone serious now.

“Yeah,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. The words felt like a betrayal, both to Alaric and to myself. How could I explain that the man who had shown me more care and understanding than anyone else wasn’t the one I was meant to be with? How could I make her understand the weight of the Goddess’s words, the destiny that loomed over me like a shadow?

Elara’s eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward, her expression filled with worry. “Did he treat you badly?” she asked, her voice sharp.

“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “He cares a lot. I mean, he even cooked for me and took me to his house.” I sighed, my fingers tracing the rim of my coffee cup, the warmth of the ceramic doing little to soothe the cold ache in my chest. “He also helped me with Ezra. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have known that Ezra was being followed.”

Elara’s frown deepened. “Did he cheat on you? Or give you the vibe?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

“Not really,” I said, my voice soft. “He doesn’t seem to be the type. There’s something in him that makes me want to trust him.” And it was true. Alaric had this quiet strength, this unwavering loyalty that made me feel safe in a way I hadn’t felt in years. But how could I explain that it wasn’t enough? That no matter how much I cared for him, it wasn’t the same as being destined for each other?

“Did he do something?” Elara pressed, her eyes searching mine.

“Never. He could never wrong me,” I admitted, my voice barely audible. The words felt hollow, inadequate. How could I explain the ache in my chest, the way my heart felt like it was being torn in two? How could I make her understand that this wasn’t about Alaric, but about me— about the destiny I couldn’t escape?

“What the hell?” Elara exclaimed, her voice rising enough to draw a few curious glances from nearby tables. She leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest. “What’s wrong with you?”

I stared at her, puzzled. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong with you?” she shot back, her tone incredulous. “What I’m hearing here is that you can’t be together with a perfectly good-looking guy from Alpha lineage, who’s good in bed, cares about you, and your family. And from the look of it, you clearly like him too. Spit it out, Lil. What’s wrong?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. How could I explain it to her? How could I tell her about the Moon Goddess, about the destiny I was supposed to fulfill, about the fact that Alaric wasn’t my soulmate? It was too much, too complicated. So, I did the only thing I could— I lied.

“Nothing… it’s just…” I stammered, my mind racing to come up with something convincing. “I tried with this chosen mate thing once, Elara. Now I want to find my soulmate. That’s all.”

Elara’s expression softened, and she reached across the table to squeeze my hand. Her touch was warm, grounding, and for a moment, I felt like I could breathe again. “Is that so?” she said, her voice laced with sadness. “I understand.”

But the look in her eyes told me she didn’t. Not really. How could she? I barely understood it myself. The truth was, I didn’t want to let Alaric go. I didn’t want to walk away from the man who had shown me what it felt like to be cherished, to be seen. But the Goddess’s words were a constant reminder that this wasn’t my path, that Alaric wasn’t my destiny.

I looked at her, surprised by her reaction. “You do?”

“It’s just… complicated,” I said finally, my voice breaking. “I care about him, Elara. I really do. But I can’t shake this feeling that it’s not enough. That I’m not enough.”

Elara’s eyes filled with sympathy, and she squeezed my hand tighter. “Oh, Lil,” she said softly. “You’re more than enough. You always have been. But if this is what you need, if finding your soulmate is what’s going to make you happy, then I support you. Just… don’t forget that you deserve to be happy, no matter what that looks like.”

“And,” she said, her smile gentle. “I can’t blame you after Kael. If that’s what you want, you’ll have my full support.”

“Thanks, Elara,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude. But even as I smiled back at her, the hollow ache in my chest remained, a constant reminder of the choice I had made.