The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven novel Chapter 586

Chapter 586: The Ball

[Third Person].

Draven appeared at the doorway of the dressing room just as Meredith’s maidservants left.

He stopped short when he saw her, but he didn’t smile immediately.

He simply looked at her, his gaze steady, unreadable at first, then slowly warming with something deeper than desire—pride, resolve, and a hint of protectiveness he didn’t bother to hide.

"You look..." He exhaled quietly, as if choosing restraint over words. "Like someone they won’t be able to ignore."

Meredith turned toward him, a faint smile playing on her lips. "That was the idea."

He walked closer, adjusted nothing, touched nothing—just stood before her as though committing the image to memory. After a moment, his hand lifted and rested briefly at her waist, grounding rather than claiming.

"Be careful," he said softly. "Palaces are worse than battlefields. At least enemies on the field show their claws."

"I know," she replied. "And you will be here when it ends as you promised me."

His thumb pressed lightly once, then he stepped back. "I will come for you after," he confirmed.

Meredith nodded, a smile slowly appearing at the corner of her lips.

No dramatic farewell followed. No deep kiss or long hugs. Just a shared understanding that tonight was not about romance, but positioning.

Minutes later, Meredith descended the front steps of the estate, the sleek black car already waiting. The driver opened the door, and she slipped inside without looking back.

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The Royal Palace~

By the time Meredith arrived at the palace, the sun had dipped low, leaving the sky washed in deep indigo and gold.

Lights blazed across the palace grounds, illuminating polished stone, towering pillars, and the steady stream of arriving vehicles.

Soft, refined music drifted from inside. As Meredith stepped out of the car, conversations nearby faltered.

Some women turned openly. Others glanced, whispered, and assessed. She could feel the shift almost immediately, the way attention tilted, curiosity sharpening into calculation.

This was not the normal kind of gathering. This was quieter, more political, and certainly more dangerous.

And just then, Meredith caught sight of Wanda.

Wanda stood near the centre of the hall, dressed immaculately. Her posture was flawless, and her green eyes alight with something that looked like confidence to anyone who didn’t know her better.

She was already surrounded by older noblewomen, influential matriarchs, and wives of high-ranking Alphas. Wanda laughed softly at something one of them said, perfectly at ease, perfectly entrenched.

Meredith was not surprised to see her here after all, Wanda was famed to be amongst the best female warriors in Stormveil.

Wanda noticed Meredith seconds later. Their eyes met briefly across the room. Wanda’s smile didn’t falter, but something colder slid behind it, a measured appraisal already turning into strategy.

Meredith moved forward anyway. As she did, reactions split.

Some women inclined their heads respectfully, already aligning themselves with the future Queen. Others hesitated, unsure whether it was wiser to approach Meredith or remain anchored to Wanda’s orbit.

A few bold ones stepped forward, offering polite greetings, introductions and light conversations, testing the waters.

"You hosted that gathering for the women," one said warmly. "It was... generous."

Another smiled a little too carefully. "You are very young to bear so much responsibility."

And then, inevitably, the sharper questions began to surface, thinly veiled and wrapped in civility.

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