The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 475: The Softest Instinct

[Draven].

I reached for the switch beside the wall and turned off the lights, leaving only the faint glow from the moon through the sheer curtains.

The room softened instantly.

Next, I moved toward the bed quietly, each step controlled, my breathing low so I wouldn’t disturb her. Even Rhovan kept silent inside me—uncharacteristic, but he was watching her too.

She slept like she trusted the world. Or... like she trusted me to guard it for her.

I lifted the edge of the duvet and slid onto the bed with slow precision. The mattress dipped gently beneath my weight, but she didn’t stir.

I stretched out beside her and waited a moment for the mattress to settle, making sure she stayed asleep. Her breathing remained steady.

Carefully, I slid an arm under her pillow, easing closer until her warmth pressed faintly against my side. I didn’t pull her into me, not when she was this exhausted.

But the moment I settled beside her, she shifted just a little. Her body gravitated toward mine, her cheek brushing my shoulder as if by instinct.

Rhovan rumbled in satisfaction.

I stilled, then allowed myself the smallest, quietest breath of relief.

I let my hand rest at her waist, just touching—a promise that I was here, and that she was safe.

Minutes passed, and her breathing deepened again. And only then did I close my eyes.

And somewhere between the sound of her heartbeat and the warmth of her skin against mine, sleep finally pulled me under.

---

I didn’t know how long I’d been asleep, but a soft rustle woke me.

My eyes snapped open immediately, out of habit and instinct, the wolf always alert beneath my skin. The space beside me was empty. Her warmth was gone.

I pushed myself up on one elbow, scanning the room quickly as my senses sharpened. Then I heard it, the faint clink of cutlery.

A quiet exhale escaped my lips as her soft voice drifted from the sitting area. "Did I wake you?"

Relief loosened something tight in my chest. My wife was fine, awake and eating her food.

I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head slightly. "No," I murmured, my voice rough with sleep. "But you should have turned the lights on."

She smiled even though she knew I could barely see her expression in the dimness. "I’m fine. I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. And, thank you for the food."

Her gratitude was gentle and sincere.

I nodded and shifted, intending to get out of bed. "I will sit with you." But before my feet could touch the floor, she stopped me.

"There is no need for that," she said softly, "Go back to sleep. I will join you as soon as I’m finished."

I hesitated. I didn’t want her to eat alone in the dark because of me. But her tone left little room for argument, and the wolf inside me could sense she truly was okay.

So, I exhaled and leaned back onto the mattress. "If you need anything," I told her, my eyes still fixed on the faint outline of her figure, "tell me."

She nodded, her silhouette dipping briefly in acknowledgement before she returned to eating. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

I lay back fully, one arm under the pillow, listening to the gentle sounds of her utensils, her breathing, the quiet peace of the night.

Sleep tugged at me again, and this time, I let it take me, knowing she would return to my side soon.

**---**

[Meredith].

As Draven settled back into the pillows, his breathing slowly evening out again, a small smile tugged at my lips.

He had known I would wake up hungry... He had known I would need something light... And he had prepared it before I even asked.

The gesture warmed my chest in a way I couldn’t quite put into words. For someone so feared, so intimidating, so infuriatingly stubborn—Draven had the softest instincts when it came to me.

I finished my meal quietly, careful not to make any sound. Even the clink of the spoon against the bowl felt too loud, so I slowed down, savouring every bite of the warm food he asked for.

After eating, I drank half of the herbal tea—it had already cooled a little, but the calming scent still helped loosen the tension in my shoulders. Then I sipped some water and placed everything silently back onto the tray.

I padded back toward the bed, the soft rug swallowing the sound of my steps.

The room was dim, warm, quiet, and Draven was still asleep, or at least pretending well enough that I couldn’t tell the difference.

I lifted the corner of the duvet and slipped underneath. The sheets were warm where he had slept, carrying that familiar scent of his.

My head had barely touched the pillow when his arm came around my waist without any hesitation—just a firm, protective drape that pulled me instinctively closer to him.

His hand rested on my stomach, fingers loose, breathing steady. ’So, he hadn’t fully awakened.’

Or maybe he didn’t need to wake up to find me.

My heart softened. I smiled into the darkness and closed my eyes, the weight of his arm grounding me far more than the blankets ever could.

Within moments, warmth wrapped around me from inside and out. And I drifted back to sleep.

---

The next morning, I woke up to cold sheets.

The other side of the bed was empty, already losing the warmth Draven left behind. The natural light filtering through the curtains was faint, barely enough to silhouette the room.

I reached over to turn on the bedside lamp, the warm glow softening the shadows around me.

My phone lay on the nightstand where Kira returned a few days ago. I finally picked it up and checked the time.

05:07 AM.

I blinked slowly. Though it was early, it wasn’t for Draven. He must have gone for his morning run.

I stretched out on the bed, arms overhead, the satisfying pull loosening the last traces of sleep. I still felt a little tired, but too comfortable, honestly.

Just then, the soft click of the bedroom door opening pulled my attention.

Draven stepped inside, bare chest glistening faintly with sweat, long hair tied loosely back, breath steady but warm from exertion.

He looked annoyingly good for someone who probably ran miles before dawn.

"You are awake," he said with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.