The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 622: Saving Her King (I)

[Third Person].

The convoy rolled to a stop before Stormveil’s massive border gates. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The Great Wall rose behind them—ancient stone layered with protective runes that shimmered faintly under the sun. It stretched beyond sight in both directions, a silent guardian encircling the entire werewolf territory.

It would take weeks—months—to inspect every stretch of it. Meredith knew that, so she began where it mattered most.

The commander of the border post hurried forward and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty. Alpha Dennis."

Meredith acknowledged him with a nod. "Report."

"There are no disturbances, Your Majesty. No breaches. Patrol rotations have remained constant."

Dennis stepped out beside her, scanning the tree line beyond the Wall. The forest outside Stormveil looked deceptively calm.

Meredith walked toward the base of the Wall. Up close, the runes carved into the stone pulsed faintly—old magic woven with wolf blood.

She placed her palm lightly against the surface and closed her eyes. She felt nothing. There was no lingering trace of the vampires.

Then, she moved along the gate’s perimeter with Dennis at her side, both of them inhaling slowly, deliberately. Still nothing.

Just then, Valmora suddenly snarled inside her. "There is nothing here."

Meredith’s brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"The scent is old," Valmora replied sharply. "Faded. They have been inside for some time. That is why nothing lingers here."

Meredith’s eyes snapped open as she turned to Dennis. "The Vampires have been inside for a while."

Dennis stiffened. "What?"

"Their scent isn’t fresh at the border. It’s old. That’s why we can’t trace it here."

Dennis inhaled deeply again, frustration flashing across his face. "No wonder I can’t pick anything up either." Then, his gaze darkened. "They must have slipped in during the Annual Hunt. The borders were open. Increased movement. Less scrutiny."

Meredith’s stomach tightened. If the Vampires had broken through by force instead of quietly infiltrating, there would have been a battle. And the Vampires would have been killed by the border guards.

Dennis nodded grimly. "But if they entered silently, blending in... then they have been here for weeks."

A heavy silence settled between them as Meredith wondered just how many Vampires had managed to infiltrate Stormveil.

Dennis met her eyes and added quietly, "Our runes weren’t strong enough to keep them out."

Meredith understood what he meant. The Wall had been reinforced by werewolf magic. But true fortification—true sealing—required fae runes.

And the faes were gone. Hidden—driven into secrecy long ago by werewolf greed.

Dennis lowered his voice. "We need the faes’ help."

Meredith’s jaw tightened slightly. Then she spoke in a voice only he would hear. "I will speak to my grandmother after this."

Stormveil cannot endure another great loss in the future.

Dennis nodded once. "Agreed."

Meredith turned to the border commander and the assembled warriors. Her voice lost all softness.

"Vampires have infiltrated Stormveil."

Shock rippled through the ranks.

"They are already inside. You will send immediate word along the Great Wall. Double patrols. Reinforce every gate. No one enters or exits without thorough inspection."

She paused, as her gaze hardened. "If any suspicious individual is found attempting to breach or flee—execute immediately."

The commander swallowed but bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty."

---

Back in the palace, Draven was in his study when the window burst open with a rush of wind. Then the green bird shot inside and landed sharply on the edge of his desk.

Although he didn’t flinch, he was surprised to see Meredith’s messenger back here.

"Report," he said calmly.

The bird shimmered mid-perch and shifted—feathers folding inward, limbs extending—until Xamira stood before him in the form of a palace maid.

She bowed quickly. "Your Majesty. The Queen confirms the presence of vampires inside Stormveil. She said the city is in danger, and you must immediately send urgent warnings to the people. Deploy all warriors, and tighten every gate."

Draven’s jaw tightened. For a split second, silence filled the room. Then he said, "Return to the Queen and remain unseen." He paused for a moment, then added, "Tell her she shouldn’t worry about me. And she should take care."

Xamira bowed, transformed back into the green bird, and flew out through the window as Draven’s expression hardened into something cold and lethal.

---

The grand hall was already filled when Draven entered—Alphas from every major pack, the council of Elders, and warrior commanders stationed across Stormveil.

They bowed deeply. "Your Majesty."

Draven took his seat but did not ask them to relax. "There has been a security breach," he began, voice steady and controlled. "Vampires have infiltrated Stormveil."

The chamber erupted.

"What—?"

"How—?"

"Impossible!"

Draven rose to his feet. The single motion silenced them.

"They entered weeks ago," he continued. "Likely during the Annual Hunt when the borders were open."

Murmurs of anger spread through the room.

Draven’s gaze swept across them all. "This is no longer speculation. It is a fact." He paused deliberately. "I am declaring a state of emergency."

The words settled heavily.

"Palace warriors will be deployed across the capital immediately. Every district will receive protection. Night patrols will triple. Curfew will be imposed if necessary."

Oscar stepped forward slightly. "Your Majesty... reducing palace forces may expose—"

"My people come first," Draven cut in calmly. A tense beat passed, then he added, "The palace guards remain. I am not defenseless."

Oscar bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Then Draven turned to the Alphas. "You will send word to your packs immediately. Lock down your territories. No lone travel after dusk. Every unexplained disappearance is to be reported within hours."

The Alphas nodded grimly. Next, calls were made on the spot. Orders relayed. Commands echoed outward like ripples.

Randall stepped forward then. "Your Majesty, the Mystic Furs pack requires oversight. The Alpha is absent, and the Beta is here. I will return immediately to secure our people."

Draven met his father’s gaze. For a brief second, they were not King and former King—but father and son.

"Go," Draven said. "But be cautious."

Randall inclined his head. "Always." Then, he quickly departed without further word.

Once the chamber settled again, Draven leaned forward slightly, palms resting on the table.

"We do not wait for them to strike." His eyes darkened. "We force them out."

A commander spoke. "How, Your Majesty?"

Draven’s mind was already calculating. "They feed in secrecy. They require movement at night, so we will bait them."

A brief silence followed before he continued, "Reduce visible patrols in select districts. But increase hidden surveillance. Track patterns. Identify where they cluster."

One of the Alphas frowned. "You intend to hunt them."

"I intend to corner them," Draven corrected as his gaze sharpened. "And once we identify their nest... we burn it."

No one questioned him now. The King they had underestimated months ago was gone. In his place stood a ruler who moved before his enemies finished breathing.

Stormveil would not fall quietly. And Draven would not wait for the first open attack to make an example.