The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 573: Painful to Watch

[Meredith].

Even after lunch, the house remained quiet. Draven and his father still hadn’t returned.

I checked the time again before finally pulling out my phone and sending Draven a message.

Me: "How’s the meeting going?"

Ten minutes passed before my phone vibrated.

Him: "Council dragged on. After that, we went straight to the palace."

I replied with a simple ’Okay’ and left it at that. Whatever they were dealing with, it clearly wasn’t ending anytime soon.

Then, my thoughts shifted to Dennis, so I scrolled through my contacts and dialled his number.

"I’m free this evening," I told him the moment he answered. "If the drive offer still stands."

His response was immediate and far too pleased. "Perfect. Meet me out front by four."

By 3:45 p.m., I was already changing.

I slipped into black palazzo pants and a finely printed shirt, the fabric light and comfortable against my skin. After combing my silver hair, I twisted it into a loose, messy bun at the back of my head.

For a brief moment, I considered calling Azul or Deidra to curl it properly—but the thought passed. This would do.

Next, I applied a light dusting of powder on my face, a swipe of pink tint across my lips, and flower-shaped gold earrings, delicate yet noticeable, on my ears.

Then, I strapped on a simple black wristwatch and put on a pair of flat black sandals.

Finally, I sprayed some perfume before I grabbed my shoulder bag and left the dressing room.

Outside, Dennis was already waiting. He leaned casually against a black G-Wagon, sunglasses on, posture relaxed in that infuriatingly effortless way of his.

The moment he spotted me descending the stairs, his lips curved into a grin. And before I could say anything, he lifted his phone.

"Oh no—don’t you dare," I warned, but of course, he didn’t listen.

He was already snapping photos. "My brother needs to see how beautiful his mate looks."

I couldn’t help laughing. "Put that away."

"Only if you approve first," he said, stepping closer and showing me his screen.

I glanced at the photos. "They are fine. The angles are great," I admitted.

He beamed like he had just won something. "You really should go out more."

"Why?" I asked.

"So you stop wearing dresses around the house all the time," he said seriously, "and start wearing trousers more. That’s where your style actually shines."

I laughed again. "You are ridiculous."

"I’m serious," he insisted.

Then, without warning, he dropped the car keys into my palm. I stared at them. Then at him. "What is this?"

"You’re driving."

"I haven’t touched a car in months."

"And that," he said cheerfully, "is exactly why you are driving today."

Before I could argue further, he opened the driver’s door and held it open for me. I shook my head, resigned, and climbed in.

He shut the door, walked around, and slid into the passenger seat. "I need to make sure you don’t forget all my hard work teaching you how to drive."

We buckled our seatbelts, and I started the engine. The familiar hum settled my nerves as I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel.

I eased the car forward, slow and cautious at first, letting muscle memory return inch by inch.

Dennis glanced at me from behind his sunglasses, clearly satisfied.

The drive turned out to be livelier than I expected.

Dennis talked about everything and nothing at the same time—stories from training, complaints about council politics that he clearly had no patience for.

His voice filled the car, steady and familiar, and before I realized it, the tightness in my chest from earlier had loosened.

I needed this.

After visiting Rosalie, my thoughts had been heavy, layered with secrets and implications I wasn’t ready to voice yet. Dennis’s chatter grounded me, pulled me firmly back into the present.

And yet... watching him laugh, watching him gesture animatedly as he pointed out turns on the road, a quiet ache settled in my chest.

’He doesn’t know,’ I thought.

He didn’t know that the woman he believed to be his mother—who never truly acknowledged him—might not even share his blood.

I imagined his reaction if the truth ever came to light. The confusion. The hurt. The quiet devastation he wouldn’t openly show.

It would be painful to watch.

I shook my head slightly, forcing the thought away. This wasn’t the time or the place.

"Left here," Dennis said, pointing ahead. "The market is just up."

I followed his direction easily, letting muscle memory guide my hands until the market came into view.

We parked and stepped out.

I slipped the keys into my shoulder bag and followed him as he moved ahead, then deliberately slowed so I was walking beside him.

"Stay close," he said. "I don’t want to answer to my brother if anything happens to you."

I scoffed lightly. "I’m not delicate."

Then, lowering my voice, I added, "You are forgetting I fought in the war back in Duskmoor."

He paused, then groaned. "That’s not fair, I wasn’t there. Did you forget that I didn’t get to see you fight?"

"That’s true. Also, it’s been a long while since you saw me in combat," I agreed. "One of these days," I added casually, "we should duel."

His eyes lit up instantly. "Now that would be interesting." Then, he smirked. "Just remember, I’ve been running every night. I’m in top form. Don’t cry when I beat you in the first round."

I scoffed back, smiling. "Do you think you’re the only one working hard?"

A sudden realization dawned on his face. "I almost forgot about Draven’s private grounds..." He groaned again. "Of course."

Now it was my turn to tease him.

We entered the market fully then, and everything changed. Heads turned. Whispers rose. Then voices.

"Luna!"

"It’s the Luna!"

Women began approaching, recognition lighting up their faces. Some of them had been at the event. I could see it in their smiles, in the warmth of their eyes.

Within moments, they were crowding closer, calling out to me, and reaching forward.