The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 97: First Swimming Lessons

Meredith.

The water was colder than I expected.

Not cold, exactly, but cooler than my skin. It wrapped around me like a hesitant welcome, the surface licking at my waist as I stood in the shallowest part of the pool, arms crossed, trying not to let the nerves show.

Draven on the other side. He wasn’t reading the water or teaching.

Just standing there—arms sleek and defined, hair still tied in that annoyingly perfect bun, his white shirt clinging to his torso in a way that did nothing to reduce how solid he looked beneath it.

And now I was supposed to trust him with my body. In a pool. Again.

Great.

"Alright," he said, voice calm, collected. "We will start with basic floating. Nothing dramatic."

I nodded once, lips tight. "Okay."

"Breathe steady. That’s the first rule." He stepped closer, water swirling softly between us. "Your body needs to relax or you will sink."

"Relaxing in a situation I can’t control isn’t my strong suit."

He gave a low, mocking chuckle. "I’m aware."

Before I could bite back a response, he moved behind me.

The air left my lungs.

He didn’t say anything. Didn’t explain the proximity. He simply reached for my arms and gently guided them to stretch sideways.

His chest brushed my back.

I stilled. And then—oh.

He didn’t move back. He was right there. Just inches. His breath was near my shoulder, steady and warm. Not touching inappropriately... but close enough that my skin knew he was there.

"Lean your weight back slowly," he instructed.

I obeyed, slowly letting myself recline, my arms skimming the surface of the water.

"That’s it," he said, his voice softer now. "Good. Just like that."

I felt his hand—light on the curve of my waist.

My stomach tightened.

"It’s just to keep you balanced," he added quickly, as if he could hear what I was thinking.

"I didn’t say anything," I muttered.

"You didn’t have to. Your face speaks louder than words."

He shifted slightly behind me, and the distance vanished entirely. My back touched his chest.

Solid. Warm. Steady.

I felt my breath stutter and hated how he probably noticed.

He didn’t say a word about it. But he didn’t pull away either.

"Close your eyes," he murmured. "Just feel the water. Trust it."

Trust you?

I kept my eyes open. My toes lost the floor for a moment, and I stiffened.

"Easy," he said.

His hands found my waist again, firmer this time. "I’ve got you." He was surprisingly gentle.

And then, of course, I sank.

It was just a second. But I felt the shift, the drag of water, the sudden panic that rose from the pit of my stomach. My arms flailed, the surface slapping against my face.

And then he caught me. His arms locked fully around my waist, pulling me up and against him.

My hands landed against his chest, palms flat. I could feel the beat of his heart. Or maybe it was mine. I couldn’t tell anymore.

"Meredith," he said, voice low. "Breathe."

I gasped—real breath this time.

The panic dissolved... but only slightly. Because now I was too aware of how close we were. His hands were still at my waist. My legs brushed against his. My face was barely inches from his collarbone.

"This isn’t very professional," I said, trying to keep the sarcasm alive even as my voice trembled slightly.

He leaned his head down, just enough for his breath to graze my ear. "Neither is drowning while you are in the pool with me."

A shiver passed through me.

I wanted to pull away. I really did. But I stayed there for a moment longer.

Then I gently pushed against his chest. He released me immediately, stepping back and letting the water return between us.

I straightened my back, fixing my gaze anywhere but at him.

"I think that’s enough floating for one day," I muttered.

Draven didn’t respond right away. Then I heard the hint of amusement in his tone. "You lasted longer than I thought."

"Thank you."

I was relieved that the first lesson was finally over. If I were asked what I had learnt, the correct answer would be that I had learnt how to drown.

Draven’s next statement pulled my attention back to him. "Tomorrow we will try kicking."

"Wonderful," I said flatly, finally allowing myself to glance at him again.

He smirked and then reached out to me without asking for my opinion.

He helped me... like literally carried me out of the pool.

But something lingered in the way he was still watching me—some unspoken current between us.

And I wasn’t sure which was more dangerous anymore. Him, or the water.

---

Applause clapped gently from the edge of the pool.

I turned and saw Dennis standing with a wide grin, holding up an armful of towels like he had been waiting for this moment.

"For our brave little swimmer," he said theatrically, tossing the towels toward me like they were precious gifts.

I couldn’t help the small laugh that slipped from my lips.

"Thank you," I said, taking one of the towels and patting my face dry.

As I drew the fabric away from my eyes, my gaze lifted, and I caught a glimpse of Draven’s back as he walked away from the pool area.

His shoulders were broad and straight, his bun still perfectly intact, even though his shirt clung damply to him. He didn’t bother looking back.

"You did well for your first lesson," Dennis’s voice pulled my attention back. "I was watching. You didn’t sink... much."

I rolled my eyes. "I think we should review our friendship agreement."

"Seriously," he said, walking closer. "You did so much better than most people would. And you had my brother coaching you. That deserves a medal."

I smiled, wringing out the ends of my silver hair with the towel. "Thanks. I guess. So... what happens to our driving lessons now?"

He tilted his head slightly and gave a thoughtful hum. "Well, it seems His Alpha-ness has laid claim to your evenings for swimming now."

I raised a brow.

Dennis chuckled. "But don’t worry. I will talk to him and see if he can shift your swimming to the mornings instead. That way, we can have our evenings back for driving."

I nodded, grateful. "I would like that." I didn’t want to give up on my driving lessons.

"Consider it done." He winked, then handed me another towel.

I wasn’t sure what warmed me more in that moment—the kindness in his voice, or the growing realization that for once... I had people who cared enough to adjust their lives around mine.

And that?

That was new.