The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 49: Annoying Oatrun Brothers

Meredith.

"Thankfully, you are able to join us for breakfast," Wanda said sweetly from her seat.

I didn’t even glance in her direction. Whatever game she was playing this morning—whether it was guilt, performance, or petty sabotage—I wasn’t going to play along.

She could sit there and smile herself into oblivion for all I cared.

From the head table, Draven’s voice broke the silence. "I don’t see Dennis here. Where is he?"

Jeffery, sitting just beside me, answered smoothly, "He just finished his morning run. He will be here soon."

And just like that, footsteps echoed from the corridor beyond. I tilted my head slightly to the side, curious but unprepared for what I saw.

It was him.

The handsome man with the horse. The one I had vented to in the garden yesterday.

And he was... walking straight up to Draven.

"Good morning, brother," he said with a wide grin, and my stomach dropped.

He pulled out the chair directly at Draven’s right and sat down like he belonged there—because he did. My chest tightened, and I had to force my face not to betray the thousand thoughts racing through my mind.

Of course, he was Dennis. Draven’s younger brother.

The resemblance—how could I have missed it? His eyes, the sharp cut of his jaw. Not identical, but the familiarity was there, buried beneath the mischief in his smile.

Now I understood why something about him had felt so... oddly familiar yesterday.

I was furious.

Not just at him for not introducing himself, but at myself, too. For talking so freely. For trusting that face, that smile, even for a moment.

Had he gone back and told Draven everything I said? Had they laughed over it together?

I ground my teeth just as Draven gestured for everyone to begin eating.

Then Dennis turned his head.

His eyes landed on me, recognition lighting up his expression like a candle in the dark. And then, with absolutely no shame, he smiled.

"Hello," he said, loud enough for the table to hear, "you must be Meredith. My brother’s cursed wife. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Wanda chuckled behind her hand. Jeffery choked on his water. Xamira looked around in confusion.

Draven? He frowned hard at Dennis.

And me?

I narrowed my eyes at him, voice sharp and cold. "Unfortunately, the pleasure isn’t mine."

How dare he remind me that I was cursed?

But he didn’t look fazed. If anything, his grin widened. "Are you mad at me for being the Alpha’s brother?"

I didn’t answer. I was still debating whether to throw my spoon at his head or just walk out.

Draven’s voice broke through the tension. "Do you two know each other?"

Dennis turned to his brother with that same annoying smirk. "Yes. We met yesterday evening. Your wife seemed very mad at—"

I cleared my throat loudly and fixed Dennis with a death glare before he could finish.

He caught the message.

Raising his hands in surrender, he turned back to Draven. "Your wife won’t let me finish. Don’t blame me."

Infuriating.

He had just told everyone at the table that I had said something, and now left them to guess what that something was.

Dennis was a menace. A charming, cheeky, and very talkative menace.

Draven gave us both a pointed look, but thankfully let it go. "Let’s eat."

The rest of breakfast was a blur. I kept my eyes on my plate, focusing on eating just enough to seem normal. But the occasional glances sent my way, particularly from Dennis, had me tense through every bite. My appetite dwindled quickly.

Eventually, I stood and excused myself, leaving my meal unfinished as usual.

Azul and Kira followed me silently. But just as we reached the hallway, I heard fast footsteps behind me.

I didn’t even need to look to know who it was.

Dennis.

He fell into step beside me like we were old friends, his hands in his pockets, his grin still far too bright for my liking.

"Are you mad at me by any chance?" he asked.

I kept walking. "Did you do anything to upset me?"

"Um..." he scratched the back of his head. "I don’t know. I can’t think of anything."

"Then search your conscience," I said without sparing him a glance. "And answer your own question."

I was hoping that would end it, that he would finally go away. But of course, Draven’s brother didn’t know when to quit.

"Wait," he said as I turned the corner. "I never properly introduced myself."

I stopped and turned to him, annoyed.

He smiled as he extended a hand. "I am the younger brother to Draven Oatrun, Alpha of Mystic Falls, our next King... and your husband. Dennis Oatrun."

I looked at his hand. Then at his face.

I couldn’t help but perceive how proud he was of his brother. Of his title. And of that word—husband.

I placed my hand in his briefly. "Meredith Carter. And I hope we don’t meet again."

Then I turned and walked away, Kira and Azul picking up their pace behind me.

From behind me, I heard his hearty laughter.

"See you again, my lady," he called. "You can’t get rid of me."

’We will see about that,’ I thought bitterly.

There was clearly something wrong with both Oatrun brothers. One was cold, self-righteous, and callous, while the other was too cheerful, too playful, and too talkative—a perfect storm.

When I reached my room, I didn’t even sit before asking, "Deidra, where is the form from Beta Jeffery?"

She brought it to me, and I sat on the couch, studying the blank spaces.

Full name. Date of birth. Gender. Race. Marital status. Partner’s name. Home address. Signature.

I filled them one after the other until I reached ’marital status’.

I ticked the box, ’married’.

Then I skipped partner’s name and home address. I signed my name, placed the pen down, and handed the form back to Deidra.

"When Beta Jeffery comes by," I said, "give this to him."

She nodded, but her eyes lingered on the incomplete lines which I had intentionally ignored.

If Draven liked, let him take whatever meaning he wanted from my petty actions. And let him fill in the rest himself. Because as far as I was concerned, I was done with my part.