The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396: Till Sunrise

(Third Person).

Dennis nodded slightly, a smirk tugging at his mouth. "Perfect timing," he muttered under his breath.

Draven glanced toward him but kept going. "There will be only one stop during the journey. It will last twenty minutes. Use it to stretch, eat, or check your vehicles, but there will be no sleeping until we are safely back in Stormveil."

A low wave of conversation started again, but it died quickly when Draven’s gaze swept over them once more.

"For each convoy," he said, "a leader will be appointed. They will guide you on the road and maintain order. You will follow their lead without question."

Meredith watched him closely, the precision in his words, the quiet power in his tone. Every command from his lips felt deliberate, thought through.

But then, Draven’s voice shifted slightly, deeper, quieter. "But there is something I have realized," he said. "No matter how well we plan, there is one truth we can’t deny—some of us may not make it back home."

Instantly, silence fell. All side murmurs stopped. The fire crackled in the stillness.

Meredith’s chest tightened. Dennis’s grin faded. Even Jeffery’s expression grew grim.

Draven let the silence settle before he went on. "That is the price of war, and of freedom. But we don’t fight for glory. We fight so our people can live without fear."

He paused, letting his words sink in. The flickering flames reflected in his dark eyes, steady and unreadable.

Meredith’s gaze softened as she listened. The weight of his words struck her heart—calm but unshakable. For the third time, she felt the full gravity of what they were about to face.

Draven straightened his posture, his voice regaining strength. "Prepare yourselves. Tonight will probably be the last night we spend in Duskmoor. Once the vampires make their move, we will move too. Remember your orders. Stay alert. And trust your group leaders."

The crowd slowly began to murmur again, their tones more subdued, serious, but resolute.

Dennis leaned close to Jeffery and whispered, "He’s right. We might lose some, but this is the best plan we’ve got."

Jeffery gave a firm nod.

Draven let his gaze move across his people—faces young and old, warriors and families, all waiting on his word.

"But no matter what," he said at last, his voice firm and resolute, "I will do my best to protect you all."

The finality in his tone settled over them like a vow. For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then, slowly, the crowd began to bow their heads in acknowledgement, murmuring their loyalty before quietly dispersing.

Meredith watched Draven in the moonlight—tall, calm, unshakable. The weight of his promise lingered in the air long after his people had gone inside.

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Later that night...

The estate was hushed, the fires outside long extinguished. A pale wash of moonlight filtered through the windows of Draven’s study. Maps, charts, and scattered notes lay across his desk.

Draven stood near the window, staring out beyond the walls, his hands clasped loosely behind him. Dennis leaned against one of the chairs, arms crossed, while Jeffery stood at the desk, going through a list of names and assignments.

Meredith sat quietly on the couch, her gaze moving between them.

Jeffery was the first to speak. "All five convoy groups are ready, Alpha. The leaders have been briefed and know their routes."

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