His Abandoned Luna Chapter 92

|| Lilac’s POV ||

Two weeks had passed in a whirlwind of preparations, anticipation, and quiet dread. The day of the nomination declaration had finally arrived, and with it, the grand ball hosted by the Alpha King. This was no ordinary event— it was a celebration of power, ambition, and the future of the kingdom. The entire country buzzed with excitement, the air thick with the promise of change. For me, however, the day was tinged with a bittersweet nostalgia. I had lived this moment before, but in another life, under vastly different circumstances.

The morning had been a flurry of activity. Dad, as the Royal Beta, was in charge of organizing the event, and Mom was his ever-efficient partner. My lazy butt brother even had thrown himself into the preparations with a newfound ferver. Ever since he learned about Alexander’s candidacy, he had found a role model in the alpha and was determined to prove himself worthy of being the Royal Beta Alexander deserved. I was proud of him, though his constant chatter and endless energy were exhausting.

“Come on, Lilac! How much longer?” Ezra’s voice echoed from downstairs, impatient and tinged with exasperation.

I stood before the mirror in my room, the soft glow of the vanity lights casting a warm hue over my reflection. The woman staring back at me was different from the one I remembered from my past life. She was stronger, more confident, and far less naive. My fingers traced the intricate embroidery of my gown— a beautiful blue that shimmered like moonlight on water. It was elegant, regal, and nothing like the revealing dress I had been forced to wear in my previous life.

In my past life, I had attended this same ball, but things were different. Back then, I had been married to Kael, already entangled in the web of lies and manipulations that would eventually destroy me. Coco, his so-called soulmate, had been a constant shadow in my life, always lurking, always waiting to strike. That night, she had taken the dress I had carefully chosen. Kael obviously took her side asking me to wear something else. Coco wasn't done by taking my gown. Suddenly all my expensive dresses were destroyed with mysterious cut or stains leaving me with no choice but to wear a gown that was far too revealing for my comfort.

The memory of that night still haunted me. I could still remember the way the red fabric had clung to me, the way it had left little to the imagination. I had felt exposed, vulnerable, and utterly humiliated. The whispers had started almost immediately, the judgmental gazes of the elite cutting through me like knives. They had called me bold, desperate, a wolf who would do anything for attention. Coco, on the other hand, had been the picture of grace and delicacy, her light peach gown flowing like a dream as she clung to Kael’s arm. She had played the part of the virtuous woman perfectly, while I had been cast as the villain in my own story.

Kael had been no better. Instead of standing by me, he had publicly shamed me, claiming that as a king candidate, he couldn’t be seen with someone dressed so provocatively. He had made Coco his plus one for the evening, leaving me to endure the whispers and stares alone. I had been too blind to see through his lies, too naive to realize that it had all been a setup. Looking back now, I could see the truth clearly— it had all been a carefully orchestrated plan to undermine me, to make me look weak and unworthy.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I stared at my reflection. How far I had come since then. The woman in the mirror was no longer the naive girl who had been so easily manipulated. She was stronger, wiser, and far more confident. Her eyes held a quiet determination, a fire that had been forged in the crucible of betrayal and loss. She was a survivor, and tonight, she would not be humiliated.

“Lilac! Come on! Otherwise I'm gonna leave without you,” Ezra’s voice broke through my thoughts again, more insistent this time.

“I’m coming!” I called back, smoothing the fabric of my gown one last time before heading downstairs.

Ezra was waiting at the foot of the staircase, his eyes widening as he saw me.

“Wow,” he breathed, his voice filled with awe. “You look… so different. Like a real-life princess.”

I rolled my eyes, though a small smile tugged at my lips. “Are you done?”

“Let’s go then,” I said, grabbing the car keys from the table. Ezra chuckled, following me out the door.

The drive to the venue was quiet, the tension between us palpable. Ezra fidgeted in his seat, clearly anxious about being late. As the Royal Beta-in-training, he was expected to be there early, greeting guests and assisting with the preparations. I, on the other hand, was lost in my thoughts, the weight of the evening pressing heavily on my shoulders.

When we arrived, the grandeur of the venue took my breath away. The hall was a masterpiece of opulence, with towering ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and walls adorned with intricate tapestries. The air was filled with the soft hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter. The elite of the kingdom were already there, their elegant gowns and tailored suits a testament to their status.

As Ezra and I stepped into the hall, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to us, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a pang of guilt. Had we really made such a grand entrance?

“See, I told you to hurry up,” Ezra whispered, his voice tinged with panic. “Everyone is staring at us for being late.”

I glanced down, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Had I ruined everything? My parents’ reputation, Ezra’s future— had I jeopardized it all by being late?

Just as the weight of my guilt threatened to overwhelm me, a familiar voice broke through the silence.

“May I, Dove?”