His Abandoned Luna Chapter 85

|| Lilac’s POV ||

The day of the party arrived sooner than expected, as if time itself had conspired to push us toward the inevitable. Moonvale’s grand hall was a sight to behold, bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers and the flickering light of countless candles. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the rich aroma of roasted meats and spiced wines. The room buzzed with laughter and conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of music from the string quartet in the corner. It was a celebration, but beneath the surface, tension simmered like a pot about to boil over.

I stood near the entrance with my family, Dad and Mom flanking me like silent sentinels. Ezra, my younger brother, fidgeted beside me, his eyes wide as he took in the grandeur of the hall. He was still too young to fully grasp the stakes of tonight, but I could see the determination in his eyes. He wanted to prove himself, to step up and be part of this world. I reached over and squeezed his shoulder, offering him a reassuring smile.

“Remember,” I whispered to him, “tonight is about alliances. Watch and learn.”

He nodded, his expression serious. “I will, Lilac.”

As we moved further into the hall, I caught sight of Astrid and Madeline near the refreshment table. Astrid’s golden hair shimmered under the lights, and Madeline’s quiet elegance made her stand out even in a room full of powerful werewolves. They were deep in conversation, their heads close together, but Astrid’s eyes lit up when she saw me.

“Lilac!” she called, waving me over. “Finally you are here!”

I excused myself from my family and joined them, feeling a small measure of relief at the sight of their familiar faces. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Madeline smiled warmly, her hand resting lightly on Alexander’s arm. He stood beside her, his usual calm demeanor in place, but there was a glint of something sharper in his eyes tonight. Ambition, perhaps, or determination. Whatever it was, it suited him.

“You look stunning, Lilac,” Madeline said, her voice soft but sincere. “That dress is perfect on you.”

I glanced down at the deep green gown I’d chosen for the evening, its fabric shimmering like moonlight on water. “Thank you. You look beautiful too, Madeline. And Alexander, you clean up nicely.”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm. “I try. But tonight’s not about me. It’s about making sure we’re all on the same page.”

Astrid nodded, her expression turning serious. “Exactly. We need to be careful. The Alpha King’s men could be anywhere.”

The mention of the Alpha King’s spies sent a chill down my spine, but I forced myself to smile. “Let’s not talk about them tonight. We have work to do.”

As if on cue, Alpha Daren approached us, his presence commanding attention even in a room full of alphas. His sharp eyes swept over our group, and he gave a small nod.

“It’s time,” he said simply.

We followed him to a private room at the back of the hall, the atmosphere shifting from celebratory to tense as the door closed behind us. The room was spacious but intimate, with a large oak table at its center and portraits of Moonvale’s past alphas lining the walls. Alpha Asher was already there, his imposing figure leaning against the table, and Dad stood beside him, his expression thoughtful.

Three other alphas were seated at the table, their faces familiar but their names escaping me for a moment. Alpha Daren gestured for us to take our seats, and the room fell silent as he began to speak.

“Thank you all for coming,” he said, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of urgency. “We’re here tonight because Alexander has decided to stand in the Alpha King election.”

The three alphas exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. The first, a tall man with silver streaks in his hair and a weathered face, leaned forward. His name was Alpha Ralph of the Ironclaw Pack, a respected but cautious leader.

“Alexander wants to stand in the election? That’s… bold.”

“It’s necessary,” Alpha Asher interjected, his tone firm. “The current Alpha King’s reign has been a disaster, and we need someone who can unite the packs, not tear them apart.”

The second alpha, a broad-shouldered man with a deep voice and a stern expression, nodded slowly. His name was Alpha Gideon of the Stormcrest Pack, known for his strategic mind and no-nonsense attitude. “This is good, actually. Alexander has the strength and the vision to lead.”

The third alpha, a younger man with a nervous energy about him and a mop of dark curls, cleared his throat. His name was Alpha Elenor of the Shadowpine Pack, a relatively new alpha who had inherited his position after his father’s untimely death. “So what do you need from us, Alpha Daren?”

Daren’s gaze swept over the room, landing on each of us in turn. “To stand against Kael, Alexander needs recommendations from five alphas. Alpha Asher and I have already written ours. We need support from three more.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over us like a heavy blanket. Alpha Ralph sighed, running a hand through his silver-streaked hair. “I would love to recommend Alexander, believe me. But I can’t. In the past, I did something… terrible, and the Alpha King has my dirt in his hands. If I recommend Alexander openly, the Alpha King won’t spare my pack.”

Alpha Gideon nodded in agreement, his expression grim. “Same with me. I’m ashamed of it, but I can’t risk it right now. However, I can guarantee you my vote in the election. That much, I can do anonymously.”

Alpha Elenor hesitated, then spoke up, his voice quiet but determined. “I can write a recommendation for Alexander. My pack is small and doesn’t have much influence, so no one ever asks anything of us. But I believe in what you’re trying to do.”

Alpha Asher’s expression softened, and he gave Alpha Elenor a nod of respect. “That will be great. Thank you.”