The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven - Chapter 454

Chapter 454: Elegant and Dignified
[Meredith].

Warmth. That was the first thing I felt this morning.

It wasn’t the sunlight slipping through the curtains, or the cool Stormveil air… but Draven.

His arm was wrapped firmly around my waist, his chest pressed against my back, his breath soft and heated against my neck.

I lay still for a moment, letting myself savour the afterglow, the way my limbs felt loose and satisfied, the way my body still remembered every place his hands had been.

Then, Draven shifted slightly behind me, tightening his hold as if sensing I was awake.

“Awake?” he murmured, voice deep, lazy, still roughened by sleep.

“Barely,” I answered.

His lips, slowly but purposely teasing, brushed the back of my shoulder. “Good morning,” he murmured.

I exhaled, half-laugh, half-flustered. “You sound too happy for someone who kept me up half the night.”

“That was mutual,” he countered, bringing his hand to my hip.

I rolled over to face him. His hair was messy, falling across his forehead. His golden eyes, hazy from sleep, softened when they landed on me.

For a moment, he just looked like he needed a few seconds to take in the sight of me.

“You look tired,” he said.

“I wonder why.”

His smirk was sinful. Next, he lowered his lips to mine, but I pressed a finger against his mouth.

“Draven,” I whispered, “we have to get ready. We are visiting King Alderic today.”

“That can wait. I want five more minutes.” He groaned, burying his face against my neck.

“With sleep?” I teased.

He lifted his head, his eyes gleaming with wicked intent. “No. Five minutes to do this…”

The next moment, he rolled on top of me, pinning me beneath him as he kissed me, deep and consuming.

My breath caught in my throat. His body, his heat, his scent—

I had to force myself to push lightly against his chest. “Draven… we can’t. My maidservants will come any minute to prepare me.”

He stilled. Then lifted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes in a mock-dangerous way.

“Let them wait,” he said. “This is a husband-and-wife affair.”

My cheeks warmed instantly. “They will knock, Draven.”

“Then they will knock.”

“Draven—”

He kissed the corner of my mouth. “They can wait.”

And with the way he said it—low, possessive, and still hungry—I believed he truly meant it. So, I placed a palm on his cheek, trying to steady my own heartbeat.

“If they see you half-naked on top of me, they will surely think we are animals.”

He smirked. “They already think that. Every servant on this floor can smell exactly what we spent the night doing.”

My face heated.

Draven seemed pleased at the reaction because he leaned in again, only to stop an inch from my lips, studying me.

“You are sure you really want to go with me today?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “I won’t hide behind you. Not anymore.”

His eyes softened, then darkened again. “If you say things like that, I will forget we have somewhere to be.”

I swallowed a gulp.

He brushed his thumb across my lower lip. “Get up, Meredith. Before I drag you back under the sheets.”

I pushed at his chest weakly. “You are insufferable.”

“And you love me.”

I didn’t deny it.

Draven stepped out from the bed first. He rolled his shoulders once, stretching lightly, and the muscles in his back flexed under the morning light.

Slowly, I sat up on the edge of the mattress, watching him tie back his messy black hair.

Then his golden eyes met mine.

“I will go for a run,” he said. “I haven’t shifted since returning.” His voice softened. “And I should clear my head.”

I nodded, relieved and fond all at once. I didn’t mind him being here, but the idea of my maidservants bustling in to undress me while Draven lounged around shirtless?

I could already imagine Azul’s polite panic and Deidra’s flustered bowing.

Just then, Draven stepped close and cupped my cheek, stealing a soft kiss from my lips.

“I won’t be long,” he murmured. Then he grabbed his shirt from the floor, turned and headed towards the door, barefoot, radiating effortless power.

Just as he reached the doorway, he glanced back with a smirk. “Don’t let them exhaust you.”

“Don’t get yourself lost,” I retorted.

He huffed a soft laugh and disappeared into the hallway.

A heartbeat later, I felt the faint pulse of his aura shifting—Draven letting his wolf rise beneath his skin.

I inhaled slowly and braced myself.

A few seconds later, a polite knock sounded at the door as expected.

Azul entered first, carrying folded towels over her arm. Behind her came Kira and Arya with baskets of bath oils, soaps, and perfume bottles. Deidra and Cora followed last with robes and accessories.

Their faces brightened when they saw me.

“Good morning, my lady,” they greeted in unison, bowing respectfully.

“Good morning.” I smiled.

Azul, ever observant, glanced briefly toward the empty doorway. “The Alpha is not here?”

“He stepped out for a morning run,” I replied simply.

Every single one of them relaxed.

Deidra whispered under her breath, “Thank the Moon Goddess.”

Azul shot her a warning look before heading for the bathroom with Kira, but there was amusement in it.

Two minutes later, they both returned. And without wasting time, they all moved into a beautiful, practised formation.

“Your bath is ready,” Azul said warmly. “Please allow us.”

I followed them into the bathroom. The tub was filled with warm water laced with gentle ripples of rose and vanilla scents, which they knew calmed me.

Kira helped untie the sash of my robe. Deidra held my hair up while Cora placed a scented towel at the edge of the bath.

I stepped into the water and sank in slowly, the heat loosening the last remnants of last night’s intensity from my muscles.

Kira knelt to my right, gently pouring warm water down my shoulders. Azul washed my hair with slow, skilled motions.

Cora lightly scrubbed my arms and legs. Arya prepared the towels while Kira briefly left.

Their harmony always impressed me—quiet, efficient, and comforting.

Finally, Azul squeezed water from my hair and said, “You look rested today, my lady.”

My cheeks warmed. “I slept well.”

Deidra grinned knowingly but didn’t comment. Azul discreetly elbowed her.

After drying me, they wrapped me in a plush robe and guided me into the dressing room, where sunlight streamed over the polished floor.

Azul and Deidra selected a deep forest-green gown, elegant and dignified, perfect for a formal visit to the King.