The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 64: The Truce Failed

**(Third Person)**

The convoy pulled into the sprawling parking lot of the mall, the tires crunching softly over the tiled pavement.

Meredith stepped out first, the wind tugging lightly at her veil. Her gaze lifted to the massive glass structure rising before them—its sleek lines and towering height gleamed under the sun. It was beautiful in a way that felt distant, foreign.

"It’s... magnificent," Meredith whispered, eyes wide with wonder.

Even Azul, Arya, and Cora—who prided themselves on composed expressions—struggled to hide their own astonishment.

Deidra stepped beside Meredith with a smile, "What do you think, my lady?"

"I haven’t seen anything like this. It’s iconic," Meredith replied, her voice tinged with honest delight. "I can’t wait to see what’s inside."

Before anyone could respond, Wanda’s crisp voice sliced through the moment. "Everyone, have your ID cards ready. We will be going through a security check before entering the mall."

"Oh..." she mouthed, her eyes subconsciously searching around.

Azul leaned in. "My lady, I have your card," she whispered reassuringly, slipping the ID into her hand.

A small exhale of relief left Meredith’s lips. She had forgotten it was with Azul.

As they approached the entrance, a group of uniformed security personnel stood waiting behind metal scanners. Their eyes immediately locked onto Meredith’s group, and a silence stretched uncomfortably in the air.

"No weapons allowed inside," one of them barked flatly.

Six of Draven’s warriors behind Meredith stepped forward, their tone clipped but respectful. "We are unarmed."

Still, the security men proceeded to scan them with baton-like devices, pressing them close to the body with no hint of subtlety.

Meredith watched it all with an unreadable expression, calm on the outside. But inside, something unsettled coiled tighter.

Do they check their own people like this? she wondered.

Then came the ID check. Each companion presented their cards in turn. When Meredith stepped forward, the guard squinted at her veil, then gestured brusquely.

"Take off your veil."

Azul tensed instantly, her hand twitching at her side. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Meredith hesitated, hand moving slowly to the edge of her hat’s veil. Then her eyes flicked to the side, catching the slight, triumphant curve of Wanda’s lips.

Meredith lowered her hand, realizing the humiliation in the guard’s request which Wanda’s smirk exposed. And she refused to give Wanda that satisfaction.

"For what reason?" she asked the guards calmly. Her tone remained unwavering.

"Security protocol," the guard replied, tone firm.

Before Meredith could respond, another voice cut through with sharp authority.

"She’s not removing anything."

Heads turned behind almost immediately.

Dennis stepped forward, flashing his ID as he moved between Meredith and the guard. The unexpected sight of him jolted everyone—especially Wanda, whose mouth parted slightly in shock.

"She is the Luna of one of our royal packs," Dennis said, voice measured but cold. "Wife of Alpha Draven, Stormveil’s Diplomat."

The guard looked rattled, but Dennis didn’t wait.

"Asking the Luna to take off her veil is demeaning. Can you not see her face clearly? What exactly are you looking for?"

"I—apologies, sir," the guard stammered, suddenly backing off.

Dennis gave him a curt nod before stepping aside. Meredith looked at him then, her gaze brief, but filled with something unreadable—surprise, gratitude... and curiosity.

"Thank you," she said softly.

He simply nodded.

As they walked through the now-open gate, Dennis veered toward Wanda, motioning her to follow. She hesitated, clearly unsettled, but eventually obeyed.

Meredith lingered just long enough to catch Dennis’s voice.

"How could you stand there and watch the Alpha’s wife be humiliated?" His voice was low, seething. "Have you forgotten your role?"

Wanda’s mouth opened in weak defense. "I was just letting the security do their job. I didn’t want to cause a ruckus."

"You? Letting someone else do their job? That’s not the Wanda I know," Dennis cut in sharply. "I hope my brother knows what he’s doing, keeping an unqualified person by his side."

He left her standing there, stunned and wordless with regret over her actions, and entered the mall.

Moments later, Wanda returned to the group. "Let’s head to the women’s clothing section first," she announced coolly, regaining her composure.

They took the lift. Once it opened on the right floor, Wanda led them into a boutique. The warriors posted themselves outside, spreading out in pairs, keeping eyes on every corridor and corner.

Dennis followed behind Meredith’s group but kept a respectful distance.

Wanda held Xamira’s small hand, guiding her to a shelf of embroidered handbags.

Kira leaned closer to Meredith. "My lady, would you like to browse the dress aisle?"

Meredith nodded and moved to the racks. She skimmed through the clothes, but nothing caught her interest. Kira noticed her disinterest.

"We can check another store... but we would need to inform Miss Fellowes."

Before they could make a move, Dennis stepped forward.

"You can go ahead. Check any store you want—I will come with you."

Relieved, Meredith gave a small nod and stepped out with Kira, Deidra, and the others.

They stepped out together just as Wanda turned. Her gaze followed them, lingering for a beat—but she said nothing, focusing instead on a clutch bag.

Dennis’s phone rang. "Go ahead," he told Meredith. "I will catch up."

Even as he took the call, his eyes followed her movement across the mall.

Meredith wandered deeper into the hallway with Azul, Arya, Deidra, and Cora. The spacious corridor echoed with distant laughter and footsteps.

Suddenly, a small boy—no older than four, collided into her legs.

"Oh," Meredith said, smiling behind her veil. She crouched, offering her hand.

The child took it, then stared up at her in innocent awe.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"You are one curious little one, huh?" she chuckled softly.

Cora and Arya giggled nearby. Deidra tilted her head. "He’s adorable."

"Joshua!" a panicked voice called out.

The boy’s head turned. A woman hurried toward them, her eyes wide and fearful.

"Mummy," the boy said, running to her.

The mother scooped him up swiftly, her eyes never leaving Meredith and her companions.

Meredith watched her go. The woman’s movements were brisk, her arms tight around her son. She didn’t say thank you. She didn’t smile.

Only fear remained in her eyes.

Meredith’s smile faded. "Was that woman... afraid of us?" she asked, her voice quieter now as Azul helped her stand.

Deidra didn’t hesitate. "Unfortunately, my lady."

Kira sighed, brushing her fingers over a nearby shelf. "No matter what we do, some of them will never accept us."

Meredith remained quiet as they turned toward the next store, her thoughts drifting to the mother and son.

The mall was beautiful, grand in design and filled with bright lights and colour.

But all Meredith could feel now... were eyes. Watching. Judging.

And in that moment of discomfort, she concluded—

The Truce failed.