The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven - Chapter 458

Chapter 458: Threatening A Royal Princess
[Meredith].

“You’re right about one thing,” I said calmly. There was no need to raise my voice. “I don’t have to rely on Draven to stand here.”

The Princess blinked, momentarily thrown off by a heartbeat.

I moved closer—not in a threatening way, but with a confidence that made her straighten.

“You judge me by the wolf you think I should have,” I said. “By the stories you heard. By the rumours whispered by people who fear what they don’t understand.”

Her jaw tightened.

“But if you expect your words to break me,” I added softly, “you will be disappointed.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you challenging me?”

“No,” I said with a faint smile. “I’m correcting you.”

Behind her, the servants bowed their heads, hiding their expressions, but I could feel their surprise and attention.

“And while you’re deciding what you think I deserve,” I continued, “perhaps remember that respect isn’t tied to rank or title. It’s tied to character.”

Her lips parted. She looked utterly stunned.

“I have mine,” I said, tilting my head slightly. “Do you?”

Even the Queen inhaled softly.

The Princess’s hands curled at her sides, pride stung deeply, but she had no comeback. Not one that wouldn’t embarrass herself further in front of her mother and the royal staff.

She sharply turned her head away, teeth clenched.

“I’m done here,” she muttered and stormed off with stiff steps.

The Queen exhaled into her palm, completely embarrassed. “I apologize, Luna Meredith.”

“No apology needed,” I said calmly. But her warm, impressed eyes lingered on me longer than before.

A minute later, she set her teacup down with a soft clink and straightened.

“Luna Meredith,” she said gently, “we should return now. His Majesty will be waiting.”

I exhaled quietly. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Truthfully, my feet were beginning to ache, and my thoughts were beginning to circle the same point:

I want to return to Draven.

So, we left the pavilion, walking side by side, our maidservants trailing in a respectful line behind us.

The palace corridors felt calmer now, less overwhelming, though I suspected it was only because I already had too much on my mind to be bothered.

Soon, we arrived back at the royal chambers.

As soon as the Queen opened the double doors, King Alderic lifted his gaze from where he sat beside Draven. His posture looked slightly better—still sick, still pale, but alert.

“Ah,” the King said warmly, “did you two have a good time?”

Queen Loraina smiled faintly. “We did. And you? Did your conversation go well?”

The King nodded. “Yes. Draven is always concise.”

Just then, Draven briefly glanced at me warmly and reassuringly. But before I could move to him, footsteps clicked sharply behind us.

Princess Alinthia entered the room with a bright, blooming smile, as if the bitter thorns she showed me earlier had never existed.

“Father,” she said sweetly, giving a perfect bow, “I hope you’re feeling stronger today.”

Then her gaze slid past him, and her smile widened. “Alpha Draven,” she said, lowering into an elegant curtsy.

I watched her closely. She didn’t look at Jeffery. She didn’t look at her mother. Her focus was on Draven alone—hunger tucked beneath polished manners.

‘So that’s where your earlier tantrum came from,’ I thought dryly.

Princess Alinthia moved closer, almost floating, and before I could blink, her delicate hand latched onto Draven’s arm.

I inhaled sharply—but not because I felt threatened, but rather because the response around me was instant.

Just then, Jeffery stepped forward, his eyes sharp, with a protective instinct crackling off him like static.

Alinthia stiffened, startled by his sudden presence.

But Draven raised a hand slightly—one silent command, and Jeffery stopped immediately.

The Princess relaxed only for a heartbeat until Draven’s eyes shifted to her.

He didn’t bother to utter a word. Just one glance, and she released his sleeve as though it burned.

Queen Loraina rubbed her forehead, embarrassment written all over her refined features.

“My apologies, Alpha Draven,” she said tightly. Then she snapped her attention to her daughter. “Alinthia—mind your manners.”

But the Princess didn’t look guilty at all. Instead, she lifted her chin, her eyes flickering to me with thinly veiled disdain.

I scoffed inwardly. So bold… yet compared to Wanda Fellowes? She is just a delicate butterfly. Nothing more.

I was still thinking that when the atmosphere suddenly shifted.

Draven spoke. “Princess Alinthia,” he said calmly, “have you met my wife?”

My eyes widened slightly. ‘Draven… why bring me into this now?’

Alinthia turned to me with clear annoyance, her lips twitching as if she were about to say something sharp, something she had been holding since the garden—

But she didn’t get the chance because Draven added, his voice soft but edged like steel:

“Be careful what words you say. Your tongue can go with it.”

Instantly, the entire room went silent.

The Princess froze—shock, fear, and insult flickering across her face all at once.

The King inhaled, his eyes narrowing slightly while the Queen’s expression tightened.

Jeffery dropped his gaze, hiding a flicker of amusement.

And I stood perfectly still, staring at Draven, wondering if he had truly just threatened a royal princess in front of her parents. And realizing—absolutely—yes. He just did.

And for whose sake? Mine.

For a long, heavy minute, no one moved.

Princess Alinthia’s breath hitched so faintly I almost missed it. Her eyes had gone wide, pupils shrinking as Draven’s warning settled over her like ice water.

The Queen found her voice first.

“Alpha Draven…” she began carefully, “the Princess is only—”

But the King raised a hand, and silence fell at once.

King Alderic studied Draven with an expression I couldn’t immediately read—part surprise, part respect?

Then, unexpectedly, he gave a low exhale that bordered on a chuckle.

“Loraina,” he murmured to his mate, “leave it.”

The Queen blinked in confusion. “Your Majesty—”

“Leave it,” he repeated, firmer.

Only then did the Queen step back, lips pressed into a thin line.

Princess Alinthia’s shock turned into indignation, her cheeks flushing red as she finally tore her stare from Draven and looked at her father.

“Father!” she hissed. “Are you truly going to allow him to—”