The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 526: Farewell

[Meredith].

Dennis choked on his drink like any of this was his business.

But on the other hand, I absolutely did not look at Draven because I was a bit embarrassed at the mention of having a pup with Draven.

Meanwhile, Draven smiled widely and easily with no hint of resistance or embarrassment.

"I will," he said. "I promise."

I risked a glance at him then and nearly combusted on the spot. My grandmother turned her head slowly toward Dennis.

"You," she said.

Dennis froze. "Me?"

"You will meet your fated mate," she continued. "Sooner than you think."

The table went silent. Dennis blinked. "Wait—what?"

"But," she added, just as calmly, "whether that bond comes to fruition will depend entirely on whether you accept her."

That got his full attention.

I turned to look at him, surprised despite myself. His usual teasing grin was gone, replaced by something cautious. Curious.

"How?" he asked. "When would I meet her?"

She shook her head lightly. "Do not ask questions. As a wolf, you should consider yourself fortunate—you will recognize her when the time comes."

Dennis frowned, clearly dissatisfied, but I smiled to myself.

Soon after, it was time to leave.

Everyone rose, gathering themselves. I moved instinctively to my grandmother’s side, slipping my arm through hers. She squeezed my hand once, grounding and familiar.

We walked together out of the house, sunlight filtering through the trees, the convoys waiting in the distance.

As we walked, she leaned closer to me. "A trying time is coming," she said softly. "Between you and your mate."

My steps slowed. "What kind of trying time?"

She shook her head. "The details have not been revealed to me. They may never be."

I didn’t like that answer, but I nodded anyway. Draven joined us then, falling into step on my other side.

My grandmother stopped walking. She turned slightly, addressing both of us. "No matter how much you argue," she said evenly, "no matter how fierce your disagreements become, do not break trust between you."

Her hand tightened around mine.

"Love can fracture," she continued. "But trust and respect are what hold a union together when everything else is tested."

Draven nodded once. "We understand."

I nodded too, even though my chest felt tight. Because something told me she was right. And something else told me we were about to be tested.

By the time we reached where the three cars were parked, the engines were already running, a low, steady hum filling the air like a countdown I wasn’t ready for.

The drivers waited inside, patient and quiet. Azul and Deidra moved efficiently, joined by two of my grandmother’s servants, lifting trunks and securing bags as if they had done this a hundred times before.

Then, my grandmother squeezed my hand. "I added your favourite local fruits," she said softly, "and snacks. And a little more fruit wine."

I smiled, my throat tightening. "Thank you, Grandma."

At the word wine, Dennis snapped his head in our direction like a hunting hound catching a scent.

"Fruit wine?" he repeated, entirely too interested. "Ma’am, did you by any chance pack some for me?"

I stared at him, half-amused and half-exasperated. ’What was with him and drinking recently?’

My grandmother laughed warmly. "Edith will give you some."

Dennis grinned. "See? I knew you liked me."

She waved him off with a fond flick of her hand. "Go on."

I hugged her then, holding on longer than I meant to. The familiar scent of herbs and earth wrapped around me, and for a moment I wished foolishly that I could fold her into my arms and take her with us.

She must have felt it, because she patted my back gently. "Don’t worry about me," she murmured. "I will live a long life."

I nodded, blinking hard, and stepped away. Draven lingered with her, their heads inclined slightly toward each other, and I knew he had something to say. So, I gave them that space and walked toward the first car.

Dennis was already there, holding the back passenger door open for me with exaggerated courtesy.

"You really haven’t told me what your grandmother is," he whispered as I approached. "Because she definitely doesn’t seem like our kind."

I paused, one foot inside the car, and glanced at him. "What do you think she is?"

He shrugged. "No idea."

I smirked and slid into the seat. Then, he leaned in just enough to whisper, "Whatever she is, I know you took after her."

Before I could reply, he shut the door with a smug grin and walked away.

Draven joined me moments later, settling into the seat beside me. The other cars filled, doors closing one by one. I pressed the button on my door, and the window rolled down smoothly.

"Goodbye, Grandma," I called, waving at her.

She waved back, her white eyes bright despite their blindness, with her silver hair pinned neatly into a bun, and her walking stick steady in one hand.

Around her, the others—faes and villagers alike lifted their hands in farewell.

The cars began to move.

I kept waving long after we had passed the last trees, long after the clearing disappeared from view. Only when I could no longer see her did I roll the window back up.

My chest ached. I sniffed, swiping at my eyes. I already missed her. I always did.

Then, a warm, big hand closed around mine.

I looked down at our joined hands, then up at Draven. He gave me a quiet, reassuring smile.

I returned the smile and leaned into his chest and let my eyes close, forcing my thoughts to quiet, even though they refused to stay still for long. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

I knew deep down that this calm was only a pause. What waited for us back at the Oatrun Estate would not be gentle. I had too much left to do, too many truths still sitting heavy on my chest.

I still had to visit Draven’s mother again. I still had to confirm my doubts and finally say everything I had been holding back, without filters and without protection.

And when the time came, I would have to stand beside my mate as his world cracked open, as he faced the truth about himself—about being a lycan, half vampire, half werewolf.

It wouldn’t be easy. It might break him before it healed him.

But whatever waited ahead, whatever storms gathered beyond the gates of the Oatrun Estate, I knew one thing with quiet certainty as the road carried us forward:

I would not let him face it alone.