[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave":3,"chapter-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-417":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},923839,1212,"Chapter 417: No Ordinary Wolf","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-417",417,"\u003Cp>[Meredith].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walk to the dining hall was short, though every turn of the corridor reminded me of how vast this estate truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Draven finally pushed open the door, I found myself standing before a modestly sized room—modest by Oatrun standards, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A twelve-seater table dominated the centre, polished to a shine that reflected the morning light streaming through the high windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was smaller than the one in Duskmoor, far smaller, and I doubted that this was the only dining room in the estate, as it was different from the one I had walked into the first time I was here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, the Oatruns had always been known for their lineage and wealth; there were surely grander halls reserved for guests and banquets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this one was warm, intimate even, with soft amber light from the chandeliers and the faint scent of roasted herbs lingering in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dennis and Jeffery were already seated when we entered. The moment they saw Draven, they both made to rise, but he stopped them with a quiet command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no need for formalities,\" he said, his tone firm but easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants, however, still bowed deeply as we walked in, their movements graceful and disciplined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draven gestured toward the seat to his right. \"Sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded and moved toward it. The chair was solid oak, its surface cool against my palms as I sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draven took his place next to me at the head of the table, settling in with the natural authority that never needed to be announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants began to move then—setting silver dishes before us, lifting lids that released waves of rich, savoury scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plates of seared meat, roasted vegetables, golden bread, and bowls of fresh fruit filled the table in neat arrangement. The sight alone could have fed twenty people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Dennis leaned back in his seat, smiling at me from across the table. \"So,\" he began, his tone teasing but respectful, \"what do you think of the Oatrun estate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met his gaze briefly, a faint smile curving my lips. \"It’s too soon to pass judgment,\" I said. \"We only just arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dennis chuckled softly and nodded. \"Fair enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeffery grinned beside him. \"You will find your bearings soon enough, Luna. This place is... something else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can already tell,\" I replied, then turned toward Draven. \"Where is Xamira?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She is still asleep,\" he said, his voice calm. \"Her nanny is watching her. She will eat in her room when she wakes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled, feeling a small knot of concern unwind in my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached for my cutlery, but before I could touch it, a deep, familiar voice called from the doorway—bright, unrestrained, full of energy that filled the entire room in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Draven!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head turned sharply toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man stood in the doorway, about Draven’s height but slimmer, his short dark hair neatly combed and his smile broad enough to reach his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was an ease about him, a sort of unshakable confidence that came naturally rather than being practised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could even wonder who he was, Draven rose slightly from his seat, a rare, genuine smile breaking across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, I heard Draven call the man’s name with an equal smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oscar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked, a little surprised. The name was familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—it was that Oscar. The one Draven had once mentioned over the phone months ago, when he had come down here for a visit. His best friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, finally seeing him in person, I could put a face to the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my gaze briefly toward Dennis and Jeffery. Both of them were smiling at Oscar too, their expressions open and warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t take much to tell that the four of them shared something beyond formality—this was the ease of old comrades, bound by years of trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar reached the table just as Draven stood to his feet. Their handshake turned into a brief, brotherly hug—a firm, unspoken understanding passing between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back to Stormveil, Alpha,\" Oscar said warmly, clapping Draven once on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s good to be back,\" Draven replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Oscar turned next to Dennis and Jeffery, greeting them both in turn. \"Still standing, I see,\" he said with a small grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dennis,\" Jeffery replied, laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draven then gestured toward him. \"Where have you been? You should have been here when we arrived. It’s been almost two hours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar shrugged lightly. \"I had an errand to run. I’m late, but I’m here now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He followed the words with an easy smile, but then gave a quick nod. \"And my apologies for not being here sooner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draven dismissed it with a wave of his hand. \"You are here now. That’s what matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his gaze shifted toward me. \"I know you already know she’s my mate,\" he said, his tone softening, \"and the Luna of our pack—but meet her formally. Meredith Carter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rose to my feet as Oscar extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Luna,\" he said, his voice polite but measured. \"I’m Oscar Elrod—Draven’s best friend and special adviser.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grip was firm, his smile faint but respectful. Yet something about it didn’t quite reach his eyes this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warmth from earlier had dimmed. He wasn’t unkind, but there was a quiet distance in the way he held himself—controlled, almost restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m happy to meet you finally,\" I said, matching his tone with equal politeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded once, released my hand, and stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint ripple of energy that brushed against my senses was unmistakable. Strong. Steady. Dangerous, if he chose to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar Elrold was no ordinary wolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit,\" Draven said, reminding everyone with a light gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We all returned to our seats. Then Draven turned to Oscar again, his voice easy. \"Have breakfast with us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar smiled faintly. \"I would have helped myself if you hadn’t asked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dennis laughed aloud. \"That’s the spirit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Careful,\" Jeffery said, smirking, \"he will actually empty the table.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced at him sideways. \"Then you had better eat faster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter rippled around the table. Even Draven allowed himself a small chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air lightened briefly, though I could still feel the quiet awareness pulsing between everyone—the shift that came whenever old bonds met new realities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I felt a gentle touch on the back of my hand. Draven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to meet his gaze, and he smiled—a subtle curve of his lips that was meant only for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want some wine?\" he asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled back, shaking my head. \"No. I’m happy with my tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I lifted the cup slightly in a quiet toast between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draven’s smile deepened, his fingers brushing mine for just a heartbeat longer before he withdrew his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>",1131,"2026-06-03T06:41:07.525Z","2026-06-03T06:41:13.871Z",1,"novelbin.me","9bc05553226ee1e980854cdce0609c5fb992fb2ddb44dcacfe6b64683a30c51f","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-418","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-416",685,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-cover.jpg"]