The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven novel Chapter 78

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Chapter 78: Let’s Drive

Draven.

A soft knock sounded on the door. Three light taps.

"Enter," I called.

Xamira’s nanny, Dorothy, poked her head in. "Alpha, forgive me for the interruption. Xamira is asking if she can show you her drawing."

I nodded once, a calm smile growing on my lips. "Send her in."

The door opened wider, and Xamira skipped in, clutching a bundle of papers to her chest. Her smile was small but present, familiar enough not to trigger alarm.

"Come here," I said, returning to my seat.

My little pumpkin was just the perfect opportunity to get away from Rhovan and the silly thoughts he was forcing into my head.

Xamira walked over and held out a page. I took it carefully.

It was a drawing—crude but vibrant. Crayons smeared across the parchment, forming a garden with stick-figured wolves and a small girl with white hair.

"You drew this?" I asked.

She nodded, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

I studied her face more carefully now. There was something... off.

Too quiet. Too still.

Xamira was many things—shy, yes—but she never brought me drawings without bubbling over with details. She also never stood this stiffly, like she was afraid to move the wrong way.

"You alright, little pumpkin?"

She blinked at the nickname. Normally, she lit up when I called her that, but not today.

"I’m okay," she said softly, gaze falling to the floor.

She looked unhappy, and that immediately drew a frown out of me.

I set the drawing down on the desk. "Did something happen?"

She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head quickly. "No."

My frown deepened. That lie was too practiced.

I rose slowly and walked around the desk. She didn’t flinch—just stared forward, arms still tight around the rest of her papers. That was not my daughter.

I crouched to her level. "Xamira."

She finally looked at me.

There was a shadow in her eyes. Small, but it was there.

"Did someone say anything to you?" I asked.

She shook her head, refusing to meet my gaze. And that was enough to bother me.

"Who were you with?" I asked, curious to know the reason she looked so sad.

She paused. Then whispered, "Miss Wanda."

My jaw clenched. "What did she say?"

Xamira looked unsure, like she wasn’t sure if she should speak at all. But then she opened up, "She just told me a story and helped me with a few exercises."

I nodded slowly, believing her. But that still didn’t solve the problem. "But if she said anything that made you feel upset or confused, you can come to me."

"Okay," she said softly and finally met my gaze.

I gently placed a hand on her head and she leaned into it like she usually did.

"Go on," I said. "You can show your drawings to the others."

She nodded and turned to leave.

As she reached the door, she stopped and looked back. She hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

"Daddy, don’t forget our play time this evening."

"I won’t." My gaze softened.

Xamira finally smiled at me before running out of the office.

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~**Meredith**~

I sat on the edge of my bed, fingers gently curling around Arya’s wrist.

"Are you sure?" I asked, eyes narrowing as she adjusted her blouse.

"Yes, my lady," Arya said softly, turning slightly.

I leaned in.

There it was—smooth skin. The swelling had vanished, and the red lines that once marred her back had faded completely. Her complexion looked a little flushed, but not bruised. Not damaged.