The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71: The Friend I Needed

Meredith.

The hum of the car filled the silence. I kept my eyes on the window, but I wasn’t seeing much. The trees blurred past like meaningless brushstrokes.

Even the sunlight, soft and golden across the hills, felt dull against the storm in my chest.

I was still angry.

Not the kind of fury that burned out quickly—but the deep, quiet kind. The one that lingered and weighed the mind. The kind that made you forget the beauty in the world.

At the driver’s seat, Dennis rolled the windows down. A rush of air surged into the car, clean and brisk. It slapped gently against my face, tossing a few strands of hair across my cheek.

Oddly enough, it helped. A little.

Several minutes passed. Then, from the driver’s seat, Dennis spoke.

"Can you tell me why you’re angry?"

I didn’t respond. Not because I didn’t want to—but because I didn’t trust what would come out if I opened my mouth. Still, Dennis didn’t push. When I glanced at him, he was smiling faintly. Patiently.

"Is it my brother again?"

I turned to him fully this time, surprised. My eyebrows rose. "Are you sure Draven is really your brother?"

Dennis laughed, a short and light sound. "Why do you ask?"

"You are too different," I said, studying his face. "In character. In temperament." I paused, then squinted slightly. "Except for the face. You both look alike—annoyingly so."

He nodded slowly, clearly amused. "Now I get why you hate me."

"I don’t hate you," I muttered under my breath. "Just the fact that you share the same blood."

That earned a hearty laugh. "Still the same thing."

He turned his attention back to the road, still grinning.

I found myself watching the way his hands rested on the steering wheel—confident, steady. The car responded to every shift and motion. It was fascinating, really. I had never thought about how driving worked before. Now, I was curious.

"Tell me something," Dennis asked casually. "What did my brother do this time? Did he accuse you of something again?"

My eyes flicked away from him immediately. Shame crept into my chest, coiling tight and hot.

I couldn’t tell him. How could I explain the reason I fought with Draven was because he found out about my secret self-harm?

Dennis caught my hesitation. "You can’t tell me?" he asked softly.

I nodded.

There was a pause. Then, a smirk curved his lips. "Let’s trade," he said suddenly.

I blinked. "Trade?"

"I have an offer." He raised a brow. "I will teach you how to drive. And in return, you tell me why you and Draven fought."

I stared at him like he had offered me a throne. "You will teach me how to drive?"

He nodded, briefly taking his attention off the road. "It’s not difficult. I promise. You will pick it up fast."

The idea startled me. But then something shifted inside. I wanted to learn. To be useful. To do something for myself.

Still, was it worth revealing the reason behind the fight?

"I will think about it," I said carefully, not wanting to lose the opportunity just in case.

"Fair enough. Whenever you’re ready," Dennis said with a small chuckle.

We drove in silence after that, but it wasn’t uncomfortable anymore. After about an hour, the car slowed and turned into a parking space.

As the engine died, I glanced around. "Where are we?"

Dennis got out of the car. "Come on. Let’s get ice cream."

Ice cream?

Inside the shop, the air was cool and sweet. Stainless pans of colourful scoops lined the freezer display, bright under the soft lights. I stood still, overwhelmed by the choices.

"What do you want?" Dennis asked.

"I don’t know," I admitted.

He smiled and took my hand. "Come."

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