The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 74: Running to Draven

Meredith.

Something cracked inside me the moment the door closed shut.

I could still feel Wanda’s voice slithering through my mind—her smugness, her taunts.

My fists clenched at my sides.

My maidservants hadn’t done anything wrong. And the look in their eyes—fear, helplessness reminded me too much of self while I was still in Stormveil.

None of them deserved to be mistreated by anyone, yet Wanda took them.

No! I won’t let my innocent helps be punished. And I also won’t let Wanda get any satisfaction from it.

I can’t stop Wanda, but surely, there was only one person could call her to order.

Draven.

The thought tasted bitter in my mouth. After everything, he was the one I had to run to for help.

But I didn’t have a choice. If I stayed silent, my maids would suffer. I wouldn’t let that happen.

I swallowed my pride, and with it, every insult, every sting of shame from yesterday. My feet moved before my mind could catch up.

Out the door. Down the corridor. Past the tall windows streaked with early light.

A passing servant bowed slightly.

"Where’s the Alpha?" I asked, trying to sound composed.

"In his home office, my lady," she replied.

I nodded stiffly. I remembered the way. The last time I had been there, I had stormed out like I would never return.

Now, I was knocking on that same door—softly, hesitantly. My heartbeat pounded in my ears.

I almost turned to walk away when I didn’t get an immediate response.

Then, Draven’s muffled voice called from inside, "Come in."

My breath caught. I opened the door and walked in.

Draven looked up from behind his desk, looking surprised to see me.

Our eyes locked. I stepped in slowly, shutting the door behind me with a quiet click. His gaze followed me with the same silent weight that always seemed to strip away my defences.

’Stay calm, Meredith,’ I told myself. ’Be confident. This is for them, not you.’

I reached his desk and stood tall, refusing to cower as he sat there and watched, waiting for me to break the silence.

"I have a complaint," I said, my voice steady. "And I need your help."

He didn’t interrupt.

"Wanda entered my quarters a few minutes ago," I continued. "She brought three warriors with her and took my maidservants away to be punished."

Draven silence at this point, was starting to get on my nerves. I didn’t have the time for that

Was he... processing? Or was this silence a confession? Had he sent Wanda?

The idea made my stomach twist, so I decided to try one more time.

"I know I left the estate yesterday without informing anyone," I said, forcing myself to keep going. "But my maids are innocent. If someone must be punished... punish me instead."

Draven reached for his phone on the desk.

I watched, unsure of what he would do next.

Then he dialled a number. When the line connected, his voice was calm but clipped.

"Wanda took Meredith’s maids to be punished some minutes ago. Call it off and send Wanda in. I’m waiting in my office."

He ended the call and set the phone down. Then finally looked at me. "Sit."

I pulled out the chair slowly and obeyed.

Draven said nothing more. He returned to his laptop, reading, as if I hadn’t just walked in begging for mercy.

A few minutes later, three soft knocks landed on the door.

It was Wanda. She stepped in when Draven gave the permission. But as soon as she saw me, her gaze fell.

I bet she didn’t think I would be reporting how petty tyrant she was to Draven.

"You sent for me," she said to Draven, ignoring me now as she stepped forward.

Draven’s tone dropped, colder than usual. "Who gave you the right to punish Meredith’s servants?"

Wanda blinked, taken aback. "You did, Draven—" She corrected herself quickly, "Alpha, I mean. You put me in charge of your estate’s management. The servants are under me."

His eyes sharpened. "You don’t hold any leadership position here or in my pack. You are my friend, not any ranking officer."

Wanda looked confused—like she couldn’t comprehend how quickly the tide had turned.

"Only I or Beta Jeffery give punishments," Draven continued. "If you must correct a servant, use your words. Is that clear?"

Wanda swallowed. "Yes, Alpha."

"You may leave."

Wanda gave me a glare as sharp as glass. Then turned and walked out.

I exhaled slowly, my muscles beginning to unwind. I was both happy and satisfied with the turn of events. Wanda was scolded and my maids will be released.

"Your maids will return to you," Draven said, eyes still on his screen. "You may leave as well."

I didn’t leave. Instead, I stayed seated, watching him. Something inside me hesitated—conflicted, grateful, unsure.

It was still unbelievable that Draven set aside our differences and our altercations earlier and exerted justice.

"...Thank you," I said at last.

Draven didn’t answer immediately. Then, after a long pause, he asked, "What did you learn from this?"

I blinked. "Excuse me?" I didn’t understand that question.

He should be responding to my appreciation instead of throwing off a random question.

"What did you learn?" He repeated.

I frowned, seeing he was serious. "That you can do the right thing if you want."

He exhaled. A tired, heavy sound. "That’s all?" he asked.

I tilted my head, confused. "Is there more?"

"Did you notice how Wanda acted? Even though she was angry, she still respected my authority."

I stared at him, now understanding where this was going.

"I’m not like the others," I said to his face.

He nodded slowly. "Of course not. You are possessed. And that’s why I have decided to handle you differently."

His words landed like ice on my skin.

Possessed?

I looked away, whatever warmth I had felt earlier, evaporated.

So this was his version of ’different’? Cold scolding for Wanda, and something worse than veiled mockery for me?

Draven just implied that he was now going to treat me worse than before because I am not submissive like Wanda.

"I should go," I said quietly, rising from the chair. I didn’t want to spend another moment with him, before hell breaks loose.

"Where are you going?" he asked, voice steady. "Without receiving your punishment?"

I stopped mid-step. "...What?"

"Earlier, you said your servants were innocent and that you should be punished instead."

I turned back, heart thudding. I had said that. In the heat of desperation.

And he had stored those words away like a trap.

I shut my eyes for a moment, looking for a way out of this before a knock broke the moment.

Jeffery walked in, nodding politely to me before addressing Draven. "Alpha, breakfast is ready. Also, Lady Meredith’s maids have been escorted back to her quarters."

Instantly, my eyes lit up. I no longer cared for any thing. I just wanted to run, to go see them.

Draven turned to me. "I will send for you once I’ve decided what your punishment will be."

"Alright." I didn’t care about that. I slipped past Jeffery and out the door.

My steps were light, heart racing with relief. But even as I smiled, I knew that I had just walked right into Draven’s hands.

And now, I was at his mercy.