The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 594: Meredith Had None

[Third Person].

The Fellowes residence was unusually lively this evening, especially Reginald’s study.

Reginald stood beside the fireplace, one hand resting on the carved mantelpiece, a glass of dark liquor in his other hand, while Wanda sat opposite him, elegant even in stillness, her posture composed, yet her eyes sharp with anticipation.

"It’s done," Reginald said at last.

Wanda’s fingers stilled on the armrest. "Done?"

He gave a short, satisfied nod. "More than half of the council stand with me. That wolfless woman will never be crowned Queen."

Almost immediately, a smile spread across Wanda’s lips. "So, they won’t fix a coronation date?" she asked.

"Not until the matter is resolved," Reginald replied. "And it cannot be resolved."

Wanda leaned forward slightly. But just to be clear, she couldn’t help asking, "Father, are you sure there are no loopholes for Draven to manipulate?"

"There is one." His tone was firm, assured. "The condition is clear. The Queen must possess a wolf, not status, sentiment, or marriage. A wolf."

Wanda relaxed back into her seat. "Meredith is empty," she said confidently. "I know it."

Her father studied her for a moment, then asked, "And you are certain?"

"Yes." Wanda’s voice carried quiet certainty. "Even though back in Duskmoor, Draven used to train her in combat drills, strategy, and endurance." She paused, brows knitting faintly. "But training doesn’t create a wolf."

Reginald scoffed openly. "She can train until her bones crack," he said dismissively. "Without a wolf, she is nothing more than a human playing dress-up among werewolves."

Then his gaze hardened as he added, "And no amount of swordplay will give her the instinct, the strength, or the authority that comes with a wolf spirit. The crown is not charity."

"I would like to see how she manoeuvres this situation," Wanda’s lips curved higher. "She has always had a way of slipping through traps."

Her father’s expression turned calculating. "This time, there is no trap to slip through. I have made sure of it."

Wanda’s eyes gleamed. "And I would very much like to see how Alpha Draven saves his beloved mate now."

Then, she let out a soft, amused laugh. "He has always shielded her. Protected her. Defended her." She tilted her head slightly. "Let’s see how he defends her from the law itself."

Reginald took a slow sip of his drink. "He won’t be able to," he said with quiet satisfaction.

A heavy, confident silence settled between them. Then Wanda straightened.

"Father, I want to attend the next council meeting," she said.

Reginald looked at her for a moment, then nodded. "You may."

Her smile turned smug, controlled. "I want to watch from a good angle," she added softly.

Reginald’s eyes gleamed with approval. "Then prepare yourself," he said. "The stage is set."

Wanda rose gracefully from her seat and offered a small bow of thanks. "Oh, I am prepared, Father. Believe me," she replied.

And as she turned toward the doorway, her smile deepened.

Meredith would soon learn that affection could not crown a Queen. Only power could. And in Wanda’s mind, Meredith had none.

---

Meanwhile, Dinner at the Oatrun Estate was unusually quiet tonight.

The long table was set as usual—silver polished, candles alight, plates filled—yet no one appeared interested in the food.

Randall sat at the head, composed. Draven sat at the other end with Meredith to his right, while Dennis, Jeffery, and Oscar completed the table.

Cutlery touched porcelain softly, but no one spoke.

Toward the end of the meal, Randall dabbed the corner of his mouth with his napkin and lifted his gaze to Draven as though the thought had only just occurred to him.

"What do you intend to do about the council’s decision?"

The room stilled, and all eyes shifted to Draven.

Draven did not respond right away. He kept eating, appearing calm on the surface. It was very clear that he was not pleased with this topic.

But Randall leaned back slightly in his chair. "The council has made their stance clear. Unless Meredith possesses a wolf, she cannot be crowned Queen."

He spoke evenly, almost regretfully. "Even I cannot sway them. More than half are already opposed."

Draven’s jaw tightened. "Since when," he asked quietly, "does the council decide who stands beside me?"

Randall’s expression did not change. "You may challenge tradition if you wish," he said, "but it will not alter their vote. If you remain stubborn, your coronation date will remain unfixed."

A deliberate pause followed, then he added, "And if the people begin to ask why... you know who will suffer most from their doubts."

The implication hung in the air.

What Draven didn’t know was that his father was already aware that Meredith had a wolf. In fact, he had known this truth for a while. He had discovered it one early morning when he went for a run, and had seen her and Draven running in their wolf form. But he decided to keep it to himself.

Randall’s impressions of Meredith changed from that day on, and he relaxed and even grew more welcoming toward her.

If it wasn’t for the fact that she accidentally proved herself useful to his son, he would have quietly gotten rid of her a long time ago.

So right now, Randall was not blindly pressuring Draven and Meredith; he was cornering them because he wanted them to reveal to the elders that Meredith had a wolf.

Right then, Meredith felt something cold coil in her stomach. As Randall spoke, a fleeting thought brushed her mind unintentionally, carelessly. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

It was then she realized that he already knew she had a wolf.

Her breath almost faltered as her pulse quickened beneath her calm exterior. ’When and how did this happen?’

Though Meredith kept her face composed, inside, questions collided.

Just then, Draven’s voice broke through her thoughts.

"Father, allow me to finish my dinner in peace," he said coolly. "I will deal with the council myself."

Randall gave a slow nod. "See that you do. Reginald will not let this matter rest unless you have a winning chip."

Almost immediately, Dennis let out a short scoff. "You were the one who elevated Reginald into the council," he reminded his father. "You gave him power, and now he isn’t even afraid to oppose you."

Randall did not respond to that. Dennis was right, and he could not deny that fact.

Oscar cleared his throat carefully. "Elder Reginald likely harbours resentment. Alpha Draven refused his daughter before finding his mate. Some men do not forget such things."

Jeffery gave a subtle nod in agreement.

Draven’s lips curled faintly in disgust. "Then he hasn’t seen anything yet," he said with a low, controlled voice. "If he wishes to drown in bitterness, I will make sure he sinks."

A long silence followed.

Meredith kept her gaze lowered to her plate, but her thoughts were racing. And now she had to ask herself—

Was Randall testing them or setting a trap?