The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 544: Miss Fellowes

[Meredith].

"Rise," Draven said calmly.

The cooks stepped forward and placed the tray carefully on the table between us. This time, I didn’t need to lean forward to know the difference.

The candies were nothing like the first batch. They were shaped into little flowers, moons, animals, and stars. Soft pastel colours caught the light—creamy ivory, peach, pale green, gentle rose. Then the faint scent of milk and fruit lingered pleasantly in the air.

I reached for one slowly, and Dennis, of course, beat me to it.

"Oh no, you don’t," I said sharply as his fingers darted forward.

He froze mid-reach, then grinned. "I was just... inspecting."

Draven shot him a look. "Just behave and sit."

Dennis sighed dramatically and leaned back again, folding his arms.

Then, I picked up a candy and tasted it. The sweetness was balanced. The milk softened it. The fruit flavour came after, light and natural.

I nodded once. Then again. "These," I said clearly, looking at the cooks, "are acceptable."

The tension visibly left their shoulders.

"The texture is right. The sweetness is controlled. And the shapes will appeal to children." I paused. "You may proceed with this recipe for the remaining batches."

Relief flooded their faces. Before I could dismiss them, Draven spoke, his gaze on the tray.

"The candies look well thought out."

Almost immediately, one of the cooks hesitated, then stepped forward slightly.

"Alpha, it was Luna who guided us," he said earnestly. "After the first mistake, she corrected our approach. She said children eat with their eyes first, and that taste should comfort, not overwhelm."

The other cook bowed again and added, "Luna truly has the children at heart."

Instantly, heat crept into my cheeks, not expecting their praises. "I only pointed out the flaws," I said evenly. "You corrected them."

Still, I lifted my hand. "You may leave now. Continue with the preparations."

They bowed deeply and exited. The moment the door closed, Dennis lunged forward.

"I’m taking one of each," he announced proudly, grabbing a moon, a flower, and something shaped like a tiny wolf.

"Dennis," I warned, but he had already popped one into his mouth and froze.

"...This is unfair."

Draven raised an eyebrow. "You are dismissed."

Dennis groaned but still pocketed one candy. "For morale."

I shook my head, fighting a smile. When he finally leaned back again, Draven turned to me fully. "You handled that well. You understood the problem," he said quietly.

I shrugged. "It needed fixing. And seriously, it’s not a big deal. Anyone could have done it."

"No," he replied. "Not everyone thinks ahead."

Then his voice softened. "You’re already thinking like a mother—anticipating needs and planning ahead."

I looked away, suddenly flustered. "Draven..."

"You have a creative mind, Meredith. You see what’s missing and fill it without being asked." His eyes softened as well. "That’s how mothers think."

My breath caught in my throat. I didn’t know what to say, even though I felt he was praising me a little too much.

Then he smiled when I looked up at him. "I’m serious, you will be a good mother to our pups," he added gently. "You are indeed attentive and intentional. You care about details others overlook."

"Draven..." I murmured his name once again as my face burned. Unfortunately, there was no place to cool it.

Dennis, still chewing, gagged loudly as he glanced between us. "Wow. Should I leave, or...?"

"Do," Draven didn’t even look at him.

Then Dennis grabbed one last candy and bolted. I laughed despite myself, leaning slightly into Draven’s side.

---

[Third Person].

It had been weeks since Wanda Fellowes last allowed herself the luxury of idleness.

Private ceremonies, closed-door gatherings with a few nobles, and training that left her muscles aching and her patience thin.

Stormveil had not seen much of her lately, and when it did, it was only from a distance.

This evening, however, Wanda decided she deserved indulgence.

The saloon doors opened the moment she arrived.

"Miss Fellowes," the owner greeted, already stepping forward with a bow that was just short of reverent.

The title followed her everywhere.

Wanda inclined her head slightly, acknowledging the respect without returning it. Her presence alone was enough.

"I’m washing my hair," she said coolly. "Oil treatment. Rose infusion. No interruptions."

"Of course," the woman said quickly, already ushering her toward the private section. "Everything will be prepared exactly as you like it."

Within moments, Wanda was seated comfortably, her long hair loosened and draped over her shoulders. Warm water, scented oils, gentle fingers—this was the kind of service reserved for those who had earned their place.

As the attendants worked, voices murmured nearby.

"Did you hear about that Luna’s event?" one woman said, unable to restrain herself.

Wanda’s eyes remained half-lidded. Then another voice chimed in eagerly. "Yes, I did. I also got the invitation. The event is happening in four days. At the Oatrun Estate."

Instantly, that got her attention. The moment she opened her eyes slightly. "Event?" she asked, her tone casual, seemingly uninterested.

The woman attending her stiffened, then smiled nervously. "Yes, Miss Fellowes. Luna Meredith is hosting something for the women and children. Invitations have already started going out."

"Women and children only?" Wanda asked.

"Yes. From eleven in the morning till one. It’s meant to be... community-centred." The woman giggled softly. "Very thoughtful, they say."

Wanda scoffed inwardly. ’So that useless woman was trying to reinvent herself now.’

Then she imagined Meredith smiling gently, handing out food and gifts, desperate to soften the image she had carried for years. It was almost laughable.

’Branding,’ Wanda thought. ’That was all this was.’

Still, the saloon owner leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Will you be attending, Miss Fellowes?"

Wanda’s lips curved proudly. "Of course," she said. "Alpha Draven and I grew up together. We’ve known each other since we were children."

The words tasted bitter.

"If his mate is hosting an event," she continued smoothly, "it would be improper not to attend—with gifts, no less."

The owner smiled broadly, clearly impressed. "How wonderful. It will mean so much to Luna Meredith, knowing she has your support."

Wanda said nothing, but inside, her jaw tightened. She hated that word, Mate.

She hated the way it tied Draven irrevocably to Meredith—that cursed, wolfless girl from Moonstone. A girl who had been overlooked, dismissed, pitied and yet had taken everything Wanda believed should have been hers. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Her fingers curled slowly against the armrest. ’Four days,’ she thought. ’That leaves plenty of time to prepare.’