The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven Chapter 651: Wanda’s End (I)

Wanda stalked down the palace corridor with long, agitated strides, moving toward the banquet hall.

Abruptly, a sharp buzzing sound vibrated right beside her ear.

She yanked her head to the side at once. 'A bee?' she grumbled, swatting aggressively at the air.

The insect evaded her grasp just before her fingers could connect.

'Get lost,' she hissed. Yet, the instant she locked her gaze onto it, the tiny thing shimmered in an unnatural way. Before her stunned eyes, the bee underwent a physical transformation.

Its body elongated and its wings expanded. With another quick blink, a butterfly was fluttering sluggishly in her path.

Wanda was rooted to the spot, her brow furrowing deeply. 'I definitely saw a bee,' she whispered under her breath. 'How did it suddenly turn into a butterfly?'

The butterfly drifted closer to her face, flapping its wings softly. Then, without warning, it morphed again. Plumes sprouted as the body puffed out. Within a heartbeat, a small green bird soared into the air with a bright, cheerful chirp.

Wanda’s mouth fell slightly agape. 'What in the world...?'

The bird darted down the hallway. For a moment, Wanda just watched it go, her thoughts spinning. Had she actually imagined this?

No. She had witnessed it clearly. Almost immediately, curiosity overwhelmed her bewilderment.

'What kind of creature are you?' she muttered. Without another second of reflection, she started chasing after it.

The green avian fluttered ahead, dancing just beyond her reach. Every time it slowed enough for her to almost snag it, the creature would zoom away again.

From time to time, it would vanish completely, only to reappear as something new—a butterfly, a fly, or perhaps a bee.

At one point, the bee zipped so close it gave her a small sting.

'Ah!' Wanda slapped her arm and scowled at the buzzing pest. 'You wretched thing!' She picked up her pace. 'Just you wait until I get my hands on you.'

Her growing frustration only served to sharpen her resolve to catch it.

The strange entity guided her into the increasingly desolate wings of the palace, through corridors that were dimly lit and rarely frequented by household staff.

Whenever Wanda slowed her pace, the creature morphed once more to catch her eye and lure her onward. Her concentration was so fixated on the fluttering object ahead that she failed to notice a critical detail.

She had wandered well outside the palace walls.

The cooling nocturnal air brushed against her skin. Palace sentries stationed nearby watched her stroll past, yet not a single one attempted to stop her or questioned her movement. It was as if their minds were under a spell, utterly oblivious to her presence.

Meanwhile, the green bird continued its taunting flight. Occasionally it swooped low, almost allowing Wanda to snatch it before transforming back into a bee to buzz past her ear just to provoke her.

'You irritating pest,' Wanda growled in anger. 'Once I finally catch you, I swear I will crush you to bits.'

At last, the creature banked toward a stone structure located a short distance away: the royal armoury.

The bird surged forward with sudden velocity and vanished through the doorway.

Wanda lunged after it but skidded to a halt the moment she crossed the threshold. The creature was nowhere to be seen. Instead, someone else occupied the room—Meredith.

The Queen stood in the center of the armoury, her face an impassive, unreadable mask. Racks of lethal weapons lined the walls.

Wanda blinked, her confusion mounting. 'Where did it go?' she muttered beneath her breath.

Without a moment to process the situation, Meredith spoke. 'You departed the banquet quite early.' Her tone was quiet and composed.

Wanda regained her composure quickly, folding her arms as a mocking smirk curled her lips. 'And you didn't?' she sneered. 'Shouldn't the Queen be out there enjoying her own festivities?'

Her eyes raked over Meredith with disdain. 'Well? Why are you hiding in here?'

Meredith let out a cold, sharp scoff. 'This moment,' she declared calmly, 'will be the final time you ever address me with such insolence.'

Wanda’s brow tightened. 'What could you possibly be talking about—'

Just then, the armoury doors swung wide, and five armed warriors stepped inside. Their blades flickered under the dim lamp glow.

Wanda stiffened instantly, her survival instincts kicking in as she shifted into a defensive stance. Her gaze locked back onto the Queen.

'What exactly are you trying to do?' she demanded.

One of the soldiers marched forward. 'Is that any way to speak to the Queen?' His voice carried the weight of authority.

Meredith flicked a hand, and the soldier instantly drew back.

Wanda’s eyes darted between them with growing unease. Yet, Meredith remained perfectly serene. She gestured nonchalantly toward the arms racks.

'Choose your weapon.'

Wanda stared at her, dumbfounded. 'Excuse me?'

'You have sixty seconds,' Meredith continued icily. 'Pick whatever you desire for both attack and protection.'

Her eyes grew cold. 'After that, you cannot claim you were denied a fair chance.'

For several moments, Wanda just stared, struggling to absorb the gravity of the situation. Then, the truth finally sunk in.

Her eyes widened with indignation. 'You...' she snapped, jabbing a finger at the Queen. 'Are you trying to force me into a death match with your royal guards?'

Her voice trembled with disbelief, but Meredith’s expression remained entirely unmoved.

Wanda’s accusations hung in the heavy air, met only by the Queen’s stony silence. Instead, Meredith pivoted toward the warriors.

'As soon as the minute passes,' she commanded with icy precision, 'it makes no difference whether this one has armed herself or not.'

Her gaze shifted briefly to Wanda before returning to the guards. 'Escort her to the training arena.'

The warriors saluted instantly. 'As you command, Your Majesty.'

Meredith cast one final look at Wanda. Her voice was both tranquil and freezing. 'Your opponent is me.'

For the first time since entering, Wanda’s composure shattered.

'So, make your selection wisely.' With that, Meredith turned toward the exit. As she brushed past Wanda, she whispered low enough only for her to catch, 'Not that it will make the slightest difference.'

The Queen exited, and the massive doors slammed shut behind her.

Wanda remained frozen in place, shock coloring her features, before that very shock transmuted into a burning rage.

'So, it's really you,' she muttered with a thin, lipless smile.

Though she still couldn't comprehend why Meredith had chose to confront her now, the challenge set the hidden warrior in her blood on fire.

If the Queen craved a fight, she would certainly get one.

Wanda turned toward the weapon racks. Her eyes swept over the equipment quickly. Within mere heartbeats, she had made her selection.

The warriors watched in silence while she readied herself, and when she was finished, one of them signaled toward the door.

'Move.'

They escorted her out of the armoury and trudged across the palace grounds.

The night air had turned biting, with the palace lights casting long, jagged shadows across the stone courtyard. Before long, they arrived at the training grounds.

Meredith was already waiting. She stood in the heart of the open field, still draped in her refined gown, her long silver hair rippling behind her like moonlight. A servant stood nearby, dutifully presenting a sheathed blade.