CHAPTER 260: FEELING HIS WARMTH AND PROTECTION

Meredith.

Madame Beatrice, calm as a mountain, inclined her head to Draven. "I will take over immediately, Alpha."

She didn’t look like she cared enough about the emotional damage Wanda might be going through right now.

Madame Beatrice was disciplined to the core, so I wasn’t even surprised that she was ready for her new role here without attaching any sentiments and hesitations.

Then her gaze slid over the staff assembled, and the silent wave of respect that followed told me everything: they trusted her, they would follow her.

The silence that fell around Wanda was almost delicious.

She couldn’t hide the way her nails dug into her palm or the stiff tilt of her chin. Her pride had been gutted in front of everyone—guards, servants, even my siblings, who stood watching with keen interest.

Gary smirked faintly, enjoying the spectacle; Mabel’s eyes flicked to me, as if gauging my reaction, but I gave her nothing.

Orders flowed. Draven shifted Xamira to the ground; she immediately wrapped both hands around his fingers like she had no intention of letting go.

"Jeffery—debrief and rotate patrols. Dennis—assign guest suites in the east wing. Keep them... comfortable." His eyes flicked to Gary, then Mabel. "Comfortable and out of the way."

Dennis bit back a grin. "Understood, brother."

"Drivers, refuel and rest." Jeffery added.

The house hummed back to life around him—as if everything here had been holding its breath and could finally exhale.

I finally let myself breathe.

Draven’s hand found the small of my back, warm through the fabric. The tiny touch steadied me more than the entire formation of guards. "You smell like vanilla," he said low enough that only I heard. "I missed it."

"I wasn’t sure you’d notice," I whispered.

"I always notice."

I almost forgot my siblings again—until my name came from Mabel’s mouth, honey-coated and edged. "Meredith, perhaps you will show us around... once you’re done."

"Madame Beatrice will see to your needs," Draven answered before I could. "There’s a schedule here. You will have plenty of time to... explore."

Mabel’s smile thinned. Gary slanted me a look that said ’we’ll talk later’. My palms went damp.

Behind them, Wanda stood with arms folded tight, trying to look composed and failing; nerves vibrated off her like heat. Whatever she’d done to upset Draven... she knew a reckoning was coming.

"Daddy," Xamira tugged again, "can we show you the castle now?"

Draven looked down at her, then at me. "Tomorrow," he promised. "After breakfast, then the castle."

Then he lifted his chin to the staff. "Thank you all for receiving us. Madame Beatrice, rest tonight. From tomorrow, you can completely take over."

"Yes, Alpha." Madame Beatrice dipped her head.

My shoulders loosened another notch.

Draven turned back to me and offered his arm. "Come."

I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow. His muscles were warm and solid against my fingers. Xamira latched onto his other hand, satisfied and radiant.

Behind us, footsteps echoed—the shuffle of servants, the measured tread of Jeffery, the deliberate pace of my siblings.

I could feel Gary’s watchful stare boring into my back, and Mabel’s presence prickled against my skin like an old, unpleasant memory. I kept my head high, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing my unease.

Draven’s grip tightened faintly, reassuring me.

As the doors opened wide, the scent of polished oak and faint incense welcomed us inside. The grand foyer stretched upward, lit by the golden glow of chandeliers.

I stole a quick glance up at Draven. His profile was carved from steel and calm power, unshaken by the drama outside. My chest warmed. He was home. Finally.

And with him here, I could face anything. Even them.

I heard Gary mutter something under his breath—too soft to catch the words, but laced with amusement. Mabel’s quiet laugh followed.

I refused to turn, though a familiar ache stirred in my chest, the ghost of old wounds they’d carved into me.

But not this time.

I straightened my shoulders. Draven had reminded me, hadn’t he? I was not their victim anymore. I was his wife. A Luna.

I briefly turned behind us out of sheer curiosity.

Dennis walked a step behind, his sharp gaze darting everywhere, cataloguing the tension like a strategist taking notes for later. Jeffery trailed calmly, as though nothing unusual had transpired.

Madame Beatrice already seemed to own the space, moving ahead with purposeful strides that made the servants scramble to attention.

Only Wanda lingered at the back, her silence heavier than a storm cloud.

Draven leaned closer, his voice brushing my ear. "Ignore them."

I swallowed, glancing up at him. He didn’t mean just Wanda. He meant all of them—Gary, Mabel, their smirks, their scrutiny. And suddenly, I realized that his hand wasn’t just holding mine. It was shielding me.

Nervous as I’d been, a steadier feeling rose to meet it—something like defiance wrapped in safety. ’Let them watch,’ I thought. ’Let them measure and whisper and plan.’

We crossed the threshold fully into the house. The doors closed behind us, cutting off the night air.

And as long as Draven was here, maybe I really could stand tall in front of them all.

"Welcome home, Draven," I said again, softer, my heart filled with content.

His thumb brushed the inside of my wrist. "I intend to make it feel like it," he murmured—and the promise in his voice warmed me all the way through.

We paused on the second floor where Xamira’s bedroom was located, and her nanny was already waiting by her door, hands folded, eyes bright.

"Welcome back, Alpha," she greeted, offering a respectful bow to Draven.

Draven nodded, and then handed Xamira over to her.

"Shall I get her washed up and into night things, Alpha?" The nanny asked

"No," Draven said, giving Xamira one last squeeze. "She will have dinner with us. Bring her as soon as Dinner starts."

Xamira’s nanny was worried that with a few visitors tonight, Xamira might not be needed at the table, but Draven didn’t seem to mind.

"I will," The nanny replied.

Xamira waved as she was guided inside. I lifted my hand back, heart lighter than I’d admit.