The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven Chapter 285: That Vile Woman

I also remembered the confessions Draven gave me when I least expected them.

And yet, Wanda’s words slithered over all of it like venom.

Heat flared in my chest with anger, doubt and humiliation all at once. My mind refused to be still, questions clawing at me, each one sharper than the last.

I swallowed hard.

Valmora answered, her tone firm but not unkind.

I dragged in a sharp breath, my hands curling into fists on my lap.

Silence hummed inside me for a moment before Valmora spoke again.

My breath turned harsh as the memories hit me like a slap. Memories of our bitter arguments in Stormveil, the coldness in his gaze, the way I used to wonder endlessly why he wanted me at all.

I had asked him, more than once, both in Stormveil and here in Duskmoor about the reason he married me, but he never gave me an answer till date.

A shiver ran through me as the ugly truth pressed against my chest.

My heart stumbled, twisting painfully as doubt seeped deeper. Did Draven like me now? Or was it all still part of whatever plan he had from the beginning?

I pressed a hand to my forehead, fighting to steady my breath. Then Valmora’s voice slipped in, quieter this time: "Do you trust me?"

I didn’t answer. My lips parted, but no sound came.

"Meredith," she continued gently, "I am your wolf. From the moment we connected, have I ever given you reason to think I would harm you?"

Her words echoed in the fragile silence of my heart.

Then I let out a deep, shaky breath and muttered under my breath,

Valmora sighed inside me, her voice softer now and threaded with more patience.

I pressed my lips together. I didn’t want to hear any of that now. My chest was too heavy, and my thoughts too tangled.

But Valmora didn’t stop. I knew she wouldn’t until she had achieved her aim to calm me.

I blinked hard, swallowing down the sting of tears that threatened to rise.

Valmora went on,

Her words pressed against me, but I couldn’t find any reply. Too many questions swirled in my mind, colliding with Wanda’s venomous words, with Draven’s silences from the past, with my own fragile hopes.

Valmora’s voice sharpened a little.

I let out a humorless laugh and whispered,

Valmora replied.

The question burned through me like fire. My fingers curled tight into my palms. I let my voice drop, sounding low and venomous.

Valmora’s answer came quickly, almost like a smirk I could feel in my bones.

Before I could move, the door opened. Cora and Arya stepped inside, each balancing baskets of fresh beddings.

"Good morning, my lady," they chimed respectfully.

"Good morning," I answered absently, ready to side from the sofa. My eyes locked on Cora. "Is Wanda still around?"

"Yes, my lady," Cora replied.

And that was all the confirmation I needed. Immediately, I stood to my feet and smooth my blouse and pants. The next second, I strode toward the door.

I could feel Deidra’s quiet presence as she began to follow me, but I didn’t turn or ask her any questions.

My jaw clenched as I spoke inwardly,

Valmora chuckled darkly.

My lips curled into a slow smirk as I descended the stairs, already imagining Wanda’s face shattering when I told her.

My anger didn’t vanish, rather, it shifted. I sharpened it into something colder to be used on that vile woman.

---

The morning air was crisp, laced with the faint scent of dew and burning fuel. My slippers crunched lightly on the gravel as I stepped outside.

There, just ahead, Wanda was striding toward the black car waiting with its headlights on, probably wallowing in whatever emotion she had chosen.

"Wanda." Her name left my lips like steel.