The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 480: The Simple Gesture Mattered

[Third Person].

~Fellowes Residence~

Wanda sat before her vanity, brushing through the last strand of her hair with slow, thoughtful strokes.

Her mind hadn’t stopped replaying yesterday’s events at the Oatrun estate. The horse race. The knife-throwing. The strategy game.

And Meredith.

Wanda’s jaw flexed as she remembered how effortlessly Meredith slipped into the attention of the men, especially Draven.

Wanda had expected Meredith to embarrass herself at some point. To reveal a flaw, a weakness, something she could exploit. But instead...

Wanda closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. She had realized something yesterday—something that changed everything:

Draven valued respect for his wife above all else. Not beauty, strength, or even history. And definitely not loyalty from childhood or even her unwavering devotion.

Just—respect for Meredith. That was the key.

If she wanted Draven’s attention, if she wanted proximity, if she wanted to re-enter the circle she once lived in effortlessly, then she had to play by his rules.

Wanda opened her eyes, her reflection sharp and cold. ’Respect Meredith. Pretend. Smile. Endure. And wait.’

She almost laughed—soft, bitter, calculating. ’Draven, you unknowingly gave me the perfect path. Thank you for the expo. I won’t waste the lesson.’

She stood gracefully, smoothed her gown, and left her bedroom.

---

The dining room was quiet except for the clinking of silverware and the mild morning sunlight filtering through the large windows.

Levi and Vivian were already seated.

Wanda’s heels clicked softly as she entered. "Good morning," she said evenly.

Vivian responded politely. Levi stared at her longer, but Wanda ignored it and took her seat.

Reginald soon entered, and all three rose to greet him. "Father," they said in unison.

He acknowledged them with a single nod before sitting.

Breakfast began in silence, Reginald’s preferred atmosphere. Halfway through the meal, he turned to Levi.

"Since you both are leaving this morning," he said, "take the fresh game hunted today."

Levi inclined his head. "Thank you, Father." Vivian smiled gratefully.

Wanda ate quietly, lost in her own thoughts—plans forming with sealed emotions.

---

After breakfast, Levi and Vivian prepared to leave. Wanda followed them out to the courtyard.

Vivian offered a gentle, polite farewell, and Wanda returned it with a composed nod.

Then Levi turned to her. He leaned in, kissed both of her cheeks, then rested his hands on her shoulders while he searched her face.

"Take care of yourself, Wanda," he said softly.

Wanda smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

"Of course I will," she replied, with a sweet, hollow voice. "If I don’t, who will?"

Levi sighed, the weight of her words settling into him. He let his hands fall away and stepped back before getting into the car.

Wanda stood still as the vehicle rolled down the long driveway and disappeared through the gates.

Only then did the smile slide off her face—cleanly, instantly. Her eyes hardened. Her spine straightened. And her mind focused.

She had work to do.

And Meredith Carter, the wolfless wife who somehow won Draven’s heart, was now an opponent worth keeping. And worth crushing.

***

[Meredith].

~Oatrun Estate~

Xamira sat on her little stool, tongue poking slightly from the corner of her mouth as she concentrated on her knitting needles.

The loops were uneven, the yarn slack in some places and too tight in others. But watching her work with so much determination made something warm bloom in my chest.

She wasn’t perfect, but she was learning. And she tried so hard.

’Good girl,’ I thought silently.

Just then, the door opened, and Lucy, who had left for a while, stepped inside again—this time accompanied by two women dressed in soft grey uniforms with toolkits and catalogue books in their hands.

I straightened slightly.

They immediately bowed, voices respectful and synchronized. "Good afternoon, Luna."

I nodded calmly. "Good afternoon. You may sit."

They settled politely in the chairs across from me. Then I leaned forward.

"Just like you might have been told," I began, "I want this room redecorated for my daughter—something suitable for a child her age. Warm, bright, and lively. Nothing cold or formal."

They nodded and began taking notes quickly.

Briefly, I turned to Xamira. Her little fingers were still tangled in yarn, but she lifted her head when she sensed my gaze.

"Xamira," I called gently, "what is your favourite colour?"

Her golden eyes brightened. "Green!"

I lifted a brow. "Green? You want a room that matches your eyes?"

She grinned shyly. "Yes."

I smiled and nodded once. "Then green it is."

The two women jotted it down instantly.

I outlined what I wanted—soft drapes, comfortable furniture, warm lights, playful décor, storage for her toys and books—a room where a child could actually feel safe.

When we were done, I said, "Begin the renovation tomorrow. I want everything changed."

Both women bowed again. "Yes, Luna."

Lucy followed them out, closing the door behind her.

Xamira was still knitting, but when I stood, she looked up, bright as ever.

"It’s time for lunch," I told her.

She dropped her yarn immediately and scrambled to her feet, slipping her small hand into mine without hesitation.

We stepped out into the hallway. Her tiny footsteps echoed beside mine, quiet but cheerful.

Halfway down the corridor, my phone vibrated. I glanced at it and saw it was a message from Draven.

"My Queen, it’s time for lunch. Come downstairs."

I smiled and typed back: "Xamira and I are on our way."

---

When Xamira and I stepped into the dining room, the first thing I noticed was the absence of Randall. Only Draven, Dennis, Jeffery, and Oscar were there.

The moment they saw me, all three men—Dennis, Jeffery, and Oscar, began to rise to their feet.

I lifted a hand and smiled. "Please, sit."

They obeyed immediately. But inside, something warm stirred. Their standing up to greet me was proof that they respected me as their Luna, because I hadn’t walked in with Draven just now as I usually did.

It wasn’t much, just a simple gesture, but it mattered.