The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 63: First Time Outside

Meredith.

The soft fragrance of vanilla and coconut lingered in the air as I sat at the dresser, watching Azul through the mirror.

She dabbed the healing balm across the scar that stretched down the side of my cheek—one that had faded slightly but still caught the light like a thin thread of silver.

She had been so consistent with applying the balm morning and night that the scar was starting to close up again. But how could I allow that?

I’m going to break her heart tonight.

Azul’s brows creased in concern.

"Would you like the hat veil today, my lady?" she asked softly.

I met her gaze in the mirror and gave a small nod. "Yes."

Today wasn’t like strolling through the estate’s gardens. This was Duskmoor. A city filled with humans and their judging eyes. I didn’t know how they would react to my scar, but I didn’t care to find out either.

I was only doing this for myself.

Azul gave a polite bow and slipped out of the room. A minute later, she returned with the hat veil from my wedding day.

My breath hitched at the sight of it. The white veil shimmered faintly in the light, reminding me of the moment everything was decided which led up to this moment.

For a second, I hesitated.

"You don’t have to wear it if—" Azul began, but I waved her off gently.

"No. It’s fine."

I looked over to Deidra who was waiting for me to decide. "I don’t want my hair out. I would prefer an updo. Nothing complicated, just neat and comfortable."

"Yes, my lady," she replied, gathering the soft silver strands of my hair. She picked out two lilac flower pins and set to work.

"My lady, your hair is very shiny and healthy," she said.

I allowed a small smile. "I guess the expensive shampoo and conditioner weren’t a waste after all."

We chuckled quietly.

Once dressed, I stepped out into the hall, flanked by my maidservants. All of them looked lovely in their modest dresses, matching satchels slung over their shoulders, their newly issued Duskmoor ID cards tucked inside.

Azul, Arya, and Cora were brimming with excitement. They would finally be seeing the city beyond the estate walls, just like me.

Even Deidra and Kira, who had been here before, couldn’t hide their eagerness. This wasn’t just a shopping trip—it was more like a step into freedom.

But of course, Wanda had to ruin it.

We entered the sitting room only to find Xamira already there, lounging with her feet curled beneath her, chewing on a chocolate bar like she hadn’t a care in the world.

We waited. And waited.

An hour passed before Wanda finally appeared, clapping her hands together like she had just orchestrated a royal ball.

No apology. Just an explanation that made us all seem unproductive.

"I was busy handling some papers and didn’t know when time passed," she announced, her smile too perfect, her face baked in layers of powder and red lipstick that made her look like a villain from a stage play.

"We are heading to Duskmoor city mall, and we will be having lunch outside after that."

She paused, scanning our faces, clearly waiting for applause or praise.

None came.

Her gaze landed on me. "Meredith, I know this is your first time leaving the estate since you arrived Duskmoor, but try to put yourself together. Duskmoor isn’t like Stormveil."

Her tone stung—condescending, degrading. As if I were a child she had to babysit. My fingers twitched at my sides. I was seconds away from reminding her who she was speaking to.

But the door opened, and Draven stepped in.

I hadn’t seen him in days. He looked... exhausted. But his presence alone pulled my spine straight. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"You haven’t left yet?" he asked, looking briefly at me, then turning to Wanda.

Wanda flashed her well-rehearsed smile. "We were about to leave now," she said, and then added with a sigh, "Meredith is bringing her maidservants along, so there won’t be enough room in the car to take everyone."

A scoff slipped from my lips.

She was still at it—trying to bar my people from coming along like she tried to do a few days back if not for Draven’s approval.

Though I didn’t know how the word reached him, I was satisfied with how he handled it.

I could see how Azul and the others shifted uneasily beside me, guilt pressing down on them like stones. They were too loyal to speak, but I could see the heartbreak in their eyes. Wanda was trying to humiliate them.

I was done tolerating her.

I opened my mouth to speak—but Draven beat me to it.

"Should that be a problem when I have so many cars?" he asked, his tone calm, yet laced with quiet steel.

Wanda blinked, lips parting, but nothing came out. For once, she didn’t have a comeback.

"Meredith and her maidservants will take the Mercedes van," Draven continued. "You and Xamira will take a car. The warriors will spread themselves in three different cars. I hope that is settled."

"Yes, Alpha," Wanda murmured, smiling again.

There was nothing funny with Draven unintentionally proving how foolish and petty Wanda was. If I were her, I would cower my head in shame.

But then again, the word ’shame’ didn’t exist to her

Inside the van, surrounded by my girls, I finally felt a bit of peace.

"I almost thought we wouldn’t make it," Arya said, beaming.

"Thank you, my lady," Cora added, her smile wide and genuine.

I nodded at them, then tilted my head back and closed my eyes for a moment.

The ride out of the estate was smoother than I expected. I kept the curtain by my seat drawn open, soaking in every detail of the outside world.

For ten minutes, it was only hills, trees, and quiet serenity. But then, the landscape shifted—more houses, tall buildings, moving cars, and crowds of people filled the view.

"We are close to the mall," Deidra said from beside me.

I nodded again and leaned slightly toward the window, picturing what the mall would look like while wishing to have a smooth-sailing day.

But I can never know with Wanda in the picture.

.