The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 621: Intruding Enemies

[Third Person].

In her own chambers, Meredith had already dismissed her formal gowns.

She stood before a wide mirror, fastening the strap of fitted leather trousers. A simple dark shirt followed, sleeves rolled slightly to allow freedom of movement.

For tomorrow’s mission, there would be no royal embroidery, silks or crown. She did not want to look like a Queen.

She wanted to move like a warrior because deep in her bones, something felt wrong, even stronger than the unease at the Hunt and her nightmare.

She could tell that tomorrow would not be ordinary.

Meredith adjusted the leather belt at her waist and paused, staring at her reflection while preparing her mind for tomorrow.

The truth about her decision last evening was simple. She was fearful for Draven, though she hadn’t told him that yesterday.

Had she admitted that she sensed danger specifically toward him—with her grandmother’s warning echoing in her ears—he would have refused without hesitation to let her go in his place.

He would have chosen the risk himself. And she could not allow that.

Sighing softly, she stepped away from the mirror, satisfied with her choice.

Her maidservants waited nearby, eyes respectful but concerned. Later, they helped her change her outfit and followed her as she left her chambers, the palace corridors already alive with subtle preparations.

On the way, Meredith’s thoughts drifted briefly to Xamira.

If the danger were obvious, she would have already sent the green bird into the night sky to scout the borders. But whatever was stirring felt hidden, patient. Not loud enough to expose itself.

A few minutes later, Meredith and her maidservants entered the armoury. Rows of polished weapons lined the walls.

Meredith walked slowly past them before stopping before a rack of swords. She tested the weight of one, then another. Finally, she selected a balanced blade—clean, practical, efficient.

Outside in the courtyard, the Royal warriors assembled. Draven had assigned half of the palace guard to accompany her—a significant show of protection without drawing public alarm.

Meredith stepped before them. "You are not escorting a Queen tomorrow," she said evenly. "You are escorting a warrior inspecting her territory."

The men and women straightened at her words. Then she gave them final instructions—communication signals and fallback points. They listened carefully.

As she dismissed them, her gaze lifted instinctively toward the palace balcony where she knew Draven often stood when he was troubled.

She did not go to him. If she did, she might reveal too much in her eyes, and tomorrow required clarity.

***

Before dawn fully broke, Meredith stepped into Draven’s chamber without announcement.

He was already awake. He stood near the window, fastening the clasp of his dark coat, the early light outlining his broad shoulders.

When he turned and saw her dressed in fitted trousers and a simple shirt, sword secured at her hip, something in his expression shifted—pride mixed with reluctance.

"Were going to leave without seeing me?" he asked quietly.

Meredith approached him. "I actually considered it. You would have followed me to the courtyard."

"And I still might."

She gave him a faint smile, but it did not reach her eyes. For a moment, neither spoke. The weight of unspoken fears hovered between them.

Then, Draven reached up and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You will return before nightfall."

It wasn’t a question.

"Yes," she replied steadily.

He searched her face as if memorizing it. "If anything feels wrong, you retreat. You do not chase danger for pride."

"I never do anything for pride," she said softly.

His hand moved to her waist, pulling her closer. "Then come back to me."

She rested her forehead briefly against his chest. "I will."

When she stepped away, he added, almost casually, "You won’t be going alone."

She frowned slightly. "I know. The warriors—"

"I arranged for Dennis to escort you."

Meredith blinked. She was surprised because he never mentioned that arrangement to her.

Draven’s gaze was firm. "If something unexpected happens, I want my brother beside you."

There was no arguing with that, so she nodded.

"I will see you tonight," he said.

"You will," she answered, though a strange chill brushed her spine.

---

The convoy departed shortly after sunrise.

Dennis and Meredith were in the main vehicle, seated next to each other. A small green bird perched quietly near the window. Meredith had taken Xamira with her, just in case she needed to send an urgent message to Draven.

Behind them, several cars carried elite royal warriors.

Three hours into the journey, the landscape shifted—trees thickening, the air growing cooler as they neared the outer territories of Stormveil.

Then Valmora stirred violently within Meredith, recognizing something ancient, feral, wrong.

Meredith’s pupils dilated sharply. She inhaled once, deeply, and the scent hit her like a blade. Cold iron. Old blood. Predatory hunger layered beneath decay.

Her head snapped slightly toward the passing forest. "Dennis," she said immediately, her voice low but urgent. "I smell a vampire."

Dennis leaned forward almost immediately. "What?"

"They are here."

His expression hardened instantly. "That’s not good if they are here." Then, he glanced at her. "Vampires moving freely inside Stormveil?"

Meredith nodded once.

"We need to alert Draven," Dennis said.

"I know." Quickly, she turned to the bird perched on her side of the window. "Listen carefully," she commanded softly.

The bird hopped closer.

"Fly to the King. Tell him the city is in danger, that vampires are inside Stormveil, and he must immediately send urgent warnings to the people. Deploy all warriors, and tighten every gate."

The bird chirped once in acknowledgement. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Meredith pressed the window control. The glass lowered smoothly as the wind rushed inside. Then the green blur shot into the sky, and she raised the window again.

Dennis stared at her, clearly full of questions.

"This is not the time," she said sharply.

He nodded as his face turned grim. "How did they even get in?" he muttered. "We had no fatal conflict with vampires in Duskmoor. Their issue was with humans. Why Stormveil?"

Meredith clenched her jaw. "I would like to know as well."

Her mind raced. ’The borders. The Hunt. The open passage.’ Then, she immediately called the driver’s attention.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"How long until we reach the border post?"

"Twenty minutes."

Twenty minutes? They were very close.

Meredith’s fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword as Valmora paced restlessly inside her.