The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven Chapter 506: A Flaw

I watched Draven walk away until his back disappeared between the houses. And for a moment, I almost followed him.

My feet even shifted forward, my body reacting before my mind could catch up. Every instinct screamed at me to stop him, to grab his hand, to tell him everything before he reached my grandmother and heard things out of order—or worse, learned the truth without me.

But I didn’t.

I stood there, alone on the narrow path, the morning breeze brushing against my skin, carrying the scent of damp earth and wild herbs.

The village felt too quiet without him beside me.

Whatever was bothering Draven, I knew it now. It might have everything to do with me.

I continued walking, slower this time, my steps aimless. My thoughts tangled, heavy and sharp.

I pressed my lips together and finally reached inward, toward the familiar presence that had been restless all morning.

I called silently. "

She didn’t answer immediately.

I swallowed. "

There was a small pause before her low, tired voice came.

I stopped walking. " I asked sharply. "

She sighed—an actual sigh, heavy and resigned, echoing inside me.

My heart stuttered. " I demanded. "

In this very moment, the world tilted.

I felt my breath catching, my chest tightening so suddenly I had to brace myself against the rough bark of a nearby tree.

My thoughts scrambled. "

Valmora cut in gently.

I shook my head, even though no one could see me. "

she answered.

My throat burned. "

she continued quietly.

I squeezed my eyes shut. The image hit me all at once—Draven standing there, watching from the shadows, seeing me in a form I hadn’t trusted him enough to share.

Valmora knew all these and is only telling me now? She didn’t even warn me. Instead, she let me do as I pleased.

Valmora said.

My chest ached. "" I whispered. "

I swallowed hard. " I said weakly. "

Valmora said,

The words stung. " I shot back, "

Valmora was silent for a moment. Then, calmly, she asked,

I didn’t answer because the truth was painfully clear. I wouldn’t have.

I trusted my grandmother more than anyone in the world. More than fate. More than instinct. More than Valmora herself.

Valmora softened, hearing my thoughts. she said.

I frowned. "

I let out a slow breath. "

I pressed.

Valmora hesitated.

I shook my head faintly. "

Valmora admitted.

My chest felt too tight. " I said. "

Valmora replied firmly.

I closed my eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on me—my power, my secrets, my love, and the growing distance between the man walking back toward the house and the woman standing alone on the path.

For the first time since last night, I didn’t know which direction was right. And that frightened me more than any curse ever could.

**---**

I found Meredith’s grandma waiting in the sitting room.

She hadn’t changed positions since breakfast. The same straight-backed posture. The same walking stick resting against her knee.

Her white, sightless eyes were turned toward the open space in front of her, as if she could already feel me standing there.

"Alpha Draven," she said calmly. "You walk heavily for someone who claims discipline."

I stopped two steps in. "I didn’t realize you were listening for my footsteps," I replied evenly.

She smiled faintly—knowingly. "One learns to listen when sight is no longer a luxury."

I inclined my head. "You asked to see me."

"Yes." She gestured toward the cushion opposite her. "Sit."

I did.

The moment stretched longer than necessary. She didn’t speak again right away. Instead, she lifted the small cup of tea beside her, brought it to her lips, and drank slowly—deliberately.

She was testing me, and I waited.

Finally, she said, "You’re troubled."

"I imagine that’s not news to you."

Her lips curved. "You carry unrest loudly. It hums around you like a swarm."

I resisted the urge to clench my jaw. "If this meeting is meant to diagnose my emotions, I would prefer honesty instead."

A small pause followed, then, calmly, "You have patience," she said. "But it is learned patience. Not natural."

I met her gaze. "Is that a flaw?"

"It is... unfinished."

I exhaled through my nose, slow and controlled. "You said you wanted to speak with me."

"And we are speaking," she replied serenely. "Tell me, Alpha—when something precious grows beyond what you expect, do you tighten your grip... or loosen it?"