The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven Chapter 546: They Had Come

[redith].

Draven and I reached the dining room just as the doors opened.

Randall stood there, his presence filling the space with quiet authority. We slowed instinctively.

"Good morning, Father," Draven greeted first.

I followed, bowing my head slightly. "Good morning, Father."

Randall acknowledged us with a nod, then his gaze lingered on thoughtfully. "So," he said, "today is the day."

I straightened without aning to. "Yes."

"You’ve worked hard for this," he continued. "Whatever happens, rember—people do not forget effort that cos from sincerity."

His words settled deep in my chest.

"Thank you, Father," I said honestly.

That seed to satisfy him. He gestured for us to enter and led the way in.

Oscar, Jeffery, and Dennis were already seated. They stood imdiately when Randall stepped forward.

"Good morning, Father," Dennis greeted.

"Good morning, Elder," Jeffery and Oscar greeted.

"Alpha, Luna," They all chorused at the sa ti.

I acknowledged them with a nod before Draven gestured for them to sit. Then he moved to the table first, taking his seat, and I sat beside him on his left while Randall occupied the other head of the table.

Then breakfast began.

The spread was generous—warm bread, fruits, ats, porridge, and tea, but my appetite refused to follow my eyes. I forced myself to eat a little, just enough to appease Draven’s earlier insistence.

Even then, my thoughts kept pulling away. I kept thinking about the venue, the timing, and the people.

After a few minutes, I placed my cutlery down. "Excuse ," I said quietly. "I need to do a final round check."

Draven looked up instantly, and our eyes t. There was concern there, but also understanding.

I stood up from my chair, pushed it with the back of my legs and turned away. I left the dining room and walked straight toward the kitchen without slowing down.

The mont I stepped inside, the conversation halted. Every cook and servant bowed deeply.

"Good morning, Luna."

I nodded. "Good morning."

My eyes went straight to the neatly wrapped candies laid out on the counter. Plastic nylons sealed them carefully, stacked in organized rows.

"These should be taken outside to the venue now," I instructed. "Place them on the side tables."

"Yes, Luna."

Satisfied, I turned and headed toward my workstation. The double doors were open.

Inside, movent filled the space—Azul directing two servants, Kira lifting sacks, Arya and Deidra carrying the packaged teas and healing balms through the garden-facing door. Cora stood near the shelves, overseeing the flow.

They greeted the mont they saw . "Luna."

I nodded, relief loosening my shoulders. Everything was moving smoothly, so I didn’t linger. Instead, I walked straight toward the venue.

The extra shade Mada Beatrice had suggested had been installed beautifully—fabric stretched between trees, softening the sun without blocking the breeze. Benches were arranged neatly. The high side tables already held trays of so of the candies.

The servants were now carefully placing the small gift packages—each one containing the teas and a healing balm onto the display tables.

I exhaled slowly. ’Good.’

I turned to Cora. "Inform Mada Beatrice that food and drinks should be brought out thirty minutes before the event ends."

She nodded. "Yes, Luna."

As she left, another thought occurred to , so I took out my phone and dialled Jeffery.

He answered imdiately. "Yes, Luna."

"I just wanted to confirm everything is in place on your end."

"All set," he replied. "Extra guards are stationed discreetly. There will be no disruptions."

Only then did I allow myself to relax.

I slipped my phone away, ready to welco the people alongside the servants, if possible.

---

The first set of won arrived hesitantly.

I could see it in the way they slowed at the entrance, the way their gazes swept over the benches, the shaded space, the tables prepared with care—as if they were unsure whether they truly belonged here.

The mont I stepped forward and smiled, that hesitation softened. "Welco," I said gently.

So bowed, others curtsied awkwardly. A few simply stared, wide-eyed, before rembering themselves.

"Thank you for coming," I added, aning it with every part of .

One woman—older, her hands rough from years of work, stepped closer and grasped my hands without warning.

"Thank you, Luna," she said, her voice thick. "For thinking of us."

Azul and Kira stiffened behind , ready to intervene, but I lifted a hand slightly. I was fine with this.

I squeezed the woman’s hands back, warmth spreading through my chest. "I’m glad you’re here."

That seed to break sothing open.

Another woman dared to hug briefly, respectfully, and murmured her gratitude. I returned it without hesitation. Soon, handshakes followed. Quiet smiles. Soft laughter.

I spoke with a few of them about the weather, about their children, about how long they had lived in Mystic Furs territory.

There was nothing heavy or forced about the conversation, just human.

For those who arrived with children, I crouched slightly to their level. So hid behind skirts at first, peeking at with suspicion. Others clutched their mothers tightly.

"It’s alright," I told them softly. "You’re safe here."

One little girl with braids stared at for a long mont before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around my neck.

I laughed softly, hugging her back. And that seed to give the others courage.

Soon, even the withdrawn ones accepted my presence—small hands in mine, shy smiles blooming. My heart felt too full for my chest.

I was happy. Genuinely, deeply happy.

As more won began arriving in groups now, I realized I couldn’t keep up the conversations anymore. The space was filled with voices, movent, and colour.

I stepped aside and allowed the servants to guide them—older won toward the front benches, younger ones further back, mothers settling with their children.

My gaze swept the area—the benches. For a mont, a flicker of concern crossed my mind.

Then I exhaled. I had prepared for this, so I gestured to a nearby servant. "Have the extra benches brought out."

They bowed and moved imdiately.

Relief settled in , followed by quiet pride. It was good, I thought ahead.

By the ti Azul returned to my side, my legs ached faintly. I hadn’t realized how long I had been standing—welcoming, smiling, and greeting.

"You’ve been on your feet for hours, Luna," she whispered. "There are still twenty minutes before we begin. You should sit and rest."

I hesitated for a mont, then I nodded. Azul was right, so I followed her toward a shaded seat, my chest still warm, my heart still humming.

I had done this. And the won had co.