The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Paying My Mother a Visit

Draven.

King Alderic exhaled deeply, drumming his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "The council of elders will convene in a few hours," he said, his sharp gaze studying me. "Would you like to be present?"

I leaned back slightly, already shaking my head. "No," I replied. "I need to prepare for my journey back to Duskmoor tomorrow." Then, I met his gaze directly. "But since you will be there, I have a message for them."

Alderic arched a brow. "I’m listening."

"Tell them to stop wasting their energy on who I chose as my wife," I said evenly. "Nothing is going to change. Instead, they should focus on overseeing the construction of the Great Wall. The safety of our people is far more important than my personal life."

Alderic let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "It sounds like you’re reminding them of their place."

I smirked. "They seem to have forgotten."

Alderic’s smile lingered for a moment before he nodded. "Very well. I will deliver your message."

Satisfied, I stood up, adjusting my jacket. "Then I will take my leave."

Alderic stood as well, offering me a firm nod. "Safe travels back to Duskmoor, Alpha Draven."

I returned the nod, then turned and strode toward the exit.

Jeffery was waiting right outside the doors, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. At the sight of me, he straightened. "Everything settled?"

"For now," I muttered, already moving.

Together, we were escorted out of the palace, making our way back to the waiting convoy.

---

The drive back to Oatrun Estate was quiet, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the car. By the time we arrived, the sun was already dipping lower in the sky.

As soon as the cars rolled to a stop, the butler was already waiting at the entrance of the estate, hands clasped in front of him. His sharp eyes flickered to me as I stepped out of the car. "Alpha," he greeted with a slight bow.

I gave him a brief nod before he continued, "Your father requests a word with you."

I raised a brow. "Now?"

The butler nodded once. "Shall I escort you?"

I exhaled through my nose, glancing at Jeffery before turning back to the butler. "Lead the way."

We followed him into the estate, heading toward the steel elevator. It carried us to the third floor, and once we stepped out, the butler led us to a balcony lounge.

"Please wait here, Beta," the butler instructed Jeffery before turning to me.

I nodded, then entered the lounge.

My father was seated in a padded chair, one leg crossed over the other, a newspaper in his hands. He didn’t look up immediately.

I approached, my voice steady. "Father."

He folded the newspaper leisurely and placed it aside before finally meeting my gaze. "Draven." His tone was calm, but perceptive. "I heard King Alderic sent for you."

I pulled out a seat across from him, grabbing the glass jug of chilled margarita on the table and pouring myself a drink. "He did," I answered simply.

My father watched me, his expression unreadable, but his question betrayed his curiosity. "What did he want?"

I took a slow sip, leaving out the matter of Meredith entirely. "We discussed the Great Wall." I set the glass down, then leaned back. "The murder cases in Duskmoor remain unresolved, and it’s crucial that we secure Stormveil before things spiral out of control."

I released a deep breath and added, "Same as me, King Alderic also acknowledges that it might be something else behind the murders."

My father exhaled deeply, his gaze darkening slightly. "I have considered that possibility as well," he admitted. "But I dismissed it. The past should remain in the past."

I didn’t press further. There were too many shadows lurking in the past of my predecessors, ones my father rarely spoke about. Instead, I shifted the conversation to my next course of action, outlining how I planned to get Duskmoor’s government to assist in the investigation.

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