The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven Chapter 653: Wanda’s Remains

Meredith shed her blood-stained gown, replacing it with a clean, unassuming printed dress.

Xamira trailed silently behind her as they stepped into the palace. The festivities had concluded, leaving only a handful of staff to tidy up the remnants of the evening.

Briefly pausing elsewhere, Meredith eventually entered her personal chambers alone. Upon her arrival, Azul and her attendants bowed low.

"Your Majesty."

"You may rise," Meredith commanded.

Azul stepped forward, stating, "His Majesty inquired about your whereabouts earlier."

"I see." Meredith offered a slight nod, then dismissed everyone, finding no further need for words.

The corridor fell into silence once the attendants bowed and departed.

After a momentary pause, Meredith headed toward the bathing room. There, she shed her dress and stepped into the water.

The faint, metallic scent of blood still lingered on her skin. She scrubbed thoroughly with floral-scented soap until the cloying odor was replaced by a soft, fresh fragrance.

Once finished, she stepped out, tucking her damp hair into a towel. Following her skincare routine and the application of light perfume, she donned her nightgown and robe.

Fastening her sash, she strode out of the room with purpose, heading directly for Draven’s chambers.

Draven reclined on the sofa in his sitting area, a plate in one hand. As he looked up from his meal, a forkful of steak held mid-air, a flash of surprise crossed his features.

Meredith approached him directly. Without preamble, she took the fork from his hand and consumed the piece of steak, simultaneously pushing her damp silver locks away from her forehead.

Draven didn't protest. Instead, he shifted to make space for her on the sofa.

"I was looking for you earlier," he noted.

"Azul mentioned as much," Meredith replied, swallowing her bite. "I went for a walk."

His eyes lingered on her before he leaned in, inhaling deeply near her neck. Reclining again, his expression shifted.

"You smell of blood," he remarked. "Did you kill someone?"

Meredith, remaining composed, rested the fork on the plate and retrieved her glass of wine with steady, deliberate movements.

"I stumbled upon an unpleasant situation," she answered, "and saw fit to resolve it."

Draven observed her, the silence stretching between them.

Meredith shifted uncomfortably. "Why the scrutiny?" she asked, her brows knitting together.

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a gravelly register. "I am merely ensuring that Valmora has not possessed my Queen."

Meredith let out a light laugh. "She would take great offense to that."

Draven’s lips quirked. "She can hardly blame me."

As if in protest, the matebond flared, sending a wave of irritation through them both.

Meredith’s laughter deepened as Draven exhaled, the tension of the night dissipating around them.

***

Morning broke over Stormveil as sunlight flooded the royal dining hall.

The calm was entirely deceptive.

Meredith and Draven ate in a silence broken only by the rhythmic clink of cutlery against china.

Draven appeared composed as he carved his breakfast, though his gaze constantly drifted toward Meredith, who was unusually subdued compared to the night prior.

Suddenly, the sound of her silverware resting against the porcelain broke the quiet.

Draven met her gaze.

"I have a matter of some importance to discuss," she said levelly.

Draven studied her before nodding. "Proceed."

She paused for a heartbeat before confessing, "I ended the life of Wanda Fellowes last night."

Draven froze, the piece of pancake midway to his lips. His brows twitched as he searched her face for signs of a jest.

Meredith’s countenance remained entirely placid. Her certainty was absolute.

"By now," she continued, "her remains should have reached her family."

Draven’s cutlery clattered onto the table as he dropped them, genuine shock finally registering on his face.

---

Simultaneously across the city, the Fellowes Residence was quiet for the morning meal.

Levi sat stone-faced while Reginald assumed his place at the head of the table.

"Where is Wanda?" Reginald demanded. "Why has she not appeared?"

Levi did not look up. "I am not aware of her whereabouts."

Reginald grunted and began eating. Levi followed suit, though his thoughts drifted to the previous night—to Wanda—tightening his jaw. Given her reckless, desperate attempt the night before, he had no desire to see her. He had driven home alone after the banquet without a second thought.

He hadn't checked on her, and he had no inclination to do so now.

After several minutes, Reginald signaled a servant. "Go retrieve her. I will not have a daughter who acts with such disregard for punctuality."

"Yes, sir," the servant replied, hurrying off.

The room remained deathly still until the servant returned, looking pale. "Sir... Miss Wanda did not return last night."

Both men froze. Levi’s brows furrowed as Reginald turned his head sharply. "What?"

He stared at Levi. "Did she not accompany you?"

Levi shook his head. "We traveled separately."

An icy unease filled the hall. Levi dialed Wanda’s number, his expression worsening as it went to voicemail. Before he could try again, a servant rushed in holding a phone.

"Sir, Miss Wanda’s phone was left behind. She went to the palace without it."

Reginald’s face hardened. "What insolence is this? To stay out all night without notification?"

His voice peaked in fury, but he was interrupted by a guard who burst into the room panting.

"Sir, you must come with me immediately."

The air in the room shifted. Reginald rose. "What is the meaning of this?"

"You must see it yourself, sir."

Without another word, Reginald and Levi followed the guard out, the servants hovering in their wake.

Outside the residence, a wooden coffin rested on the ground.

Reginald scoffed. "What absurd prank is this?"

A cold dread washed over Levi. He knew.

"Open it," Reginald commanded.

A guard hesitated before prying the lid loose. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, the maids shrieked.

Inside lay Wanda, her body brutally dismembered. Her limbs were severed, and her torso had been sliced cleanly in two.

The sheer savagery was undeniable.

The guards fell back. Reginald’s face turned corpse-white; he swayed and collapsed.

"Father!"

Levi caught him, his own composure fracturing as he stared at the carnage in the coffin. A wave of agony crashed over him.