|| Lilac’s POV ||
"Alaric," I whispered, my voice trembling as he closed the distance between us.
His hands came up, caging me in, his palms resting against the wall on either side of my head. The space between us was nonexistent. His warmth pressed against me, his scent of pine and stormy air wrapping around me like a net.
“Oh, so you still know me,” he murmured, his voice a blade edged with something I couldn’t name, pain, possession, fury.
Guilt curled in my stomach like a fist.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing as I searched for words, any words, to explain. “It’s… not like that,” I mumbled, but even to my own ears, it sounded like a lie.
His lips twisted into something that wasn’t quite a smirk. “Not like what, Lilac?” he asked, his tone deceptively soft, but the anger simmering beneath it sent a fresh wave of heat down my spine.
I opened my mouth, but he cut me off.
“How dare you leave my side without a word?” he said, his
|| Lilac's POV ||The engagement was broken, but the weight of it still clung to me like a shadow I couldn’t shake. I sat on the edge of my bed, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. I should have felt relief, freedom, but instead, I felt uneasy. So much had changed, and yet, so much remained the same.My wolfwas still faint, her presence a whisper in the back of my mind. It was dangerous, if Kael or anyone else found out about my weakened state, I’d be vulnerable. And then there was Alaric. In my past life, I hadn’t met him until long after I’d mated with Kael. But this time, he was always there, a constant presence that both comforted and unnerved me. Even thinking about his name made my heart beat faster, a flutter of something I couldn’t quite name.I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I tried to push the thoughts away. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. I glanced at the screen, and my stomach dropped. Kae
|| Lilac's POV ||For a fleeting moment, I had believed I was living in that fairy tale.Kael had stood before me, a vision of power and devotion, his golden eyes filled with something I had foolishly thought was love. His voice had been steady as he vowed to cherish me forever, his hands warm as they cradled mine. I had let myself be swept away, believing that this moment, this love, was mine to keep.But then she had arrived.Coco.Her presence was like a storm cloud blotting out the sun, an omen of something dark lurking beneath the surface of my perfect day. She moved through the crowd with quiet confidence, her delicate frame wrapped in a soft peach dress that made her look even more innocent, more fragile. But I knew better. I saw beyond the demure smile, beyond the carefully placed vulnerability in her wide eyes.I should have known then, should have trusted the instinct that screamed at me the moment she stopped before me.The
|| Lilac’s POV ||The peach dress looked good—I’d give myself that much. Soft fabric, delicate embroidery, the kind of understated elegance that screamed "I didn’t try too hard" even though I’d spent an hour agonizing over it. The pearls were a nice touch—classic, regal. A Luna’s signature.Too bad I wasn’t a Luna anymore. Which is ironic considering I wasn't anymore.I tugged at the straps, my reflection staring back with a frown. Why the hell did the Reventhorns want this dinner? The engagement was dead. The bond was ash. Kael had his precious mate now—what more could they possibly—So why did this feel like walking into a gilded trap?My phone buzzed on the dresser. Alaric’s name flashed on the screen, and my fingers hovered over it. I could call him. Should I?"Lilac!" Mom’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "We’re leaving!"Right. No more stallin
|| Lilac's POV ||The Moon Garden didn't just hum with energy— it thrummed with it, like a living creature breathing down my neck. Perfumes too expensive to name mixed with the scent of seared steak and truffles, creating a heady cocktail that made my wolf's nose twitch. Glass walls reflected a thousand points of light—moonlight, chandelier glow, the cold glitter of diamonds around too many throats.Ezra's elbow nudged mine as we followed the waiter. "This place is crawling with alphas," he muttered under his breath.I didn't need to look to know he was right. The weight of stares pressed against my skin like physical hands."Of course it is," Dad said, too calmly. "We're in Nightshade territory now."A shiver crawled down my spine.The Nightshades.Every wolf child grew up hearing the stories. Not the sanitized ones about brave warriors— no, the other stories. The ones whispered after lights-out, where the monsters weren't mindless b
|| Lilac’s POV || The air was thick with the mingling scents of expensive perfumes and gourmet food, the atmosphere both luxurious and suffocating. We sat at the table, the tension palpable, our fake smiles plastered on like masks. The server had just poured us one of the most expensive wines on the menu, the deep red liquid swirling in the crystal glasses like liquid fire. I took a sip, the taste rich and bold, but it did little to ease the knot of unease in my stomach. “Thank you, Benson, for obliging the request,” Alpha King Darius said, his voice smooth and composed as he addressed my father. His golden eyes were sharp, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of something, guilt, perhaps, or regret, that I couldn’t quite place. “Not a problem,” Dad replied, his tone polite but clipped. He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. “So, what did you want to talk about?” Luna Cassandra smiled, her warm eyes turning to me. “
|| Lilac’s POV ||The room was silent, the weight of his words pressing down on me. I could feel the eyes of every alpha, luna, and noble in the restaurant on me, their whispers filling the air like a low hum. So this was their plan, I thought, my mind racing. To turn the tables in public, to force me into a corner."I will do anything you ask me of. I will even reject her, right now, right here," He slowly stood up.Kael’s eyes fell on Coco, who looked more frightened than ever. Her lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but no words came out.“Besides, once you are marked and mated, the bond with her will fade since they are not mated yet,” Alpha King Darius said, his tone matter-of-fact.I almost laughed. In my past life, the bond between Kael and Coco had never faded, even after I mated with him. They had already been together, their connection stronger than anyone realized. But this time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake."You have grow
|| Lilac’s POV ||The evening air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming night jasmine as we stepped out of the restaurant. The soft hum of the city buzzed around us, but my mind was far from the present. My thoughts were tangled in the web of the Nightshades, their name echoing in my head like a haunting melody. The girl at the counter had said it so casually, as if it were nothing, but her words had struck a chord deep within me. “Your table will always be taken care of by the Nightshades.” Why? Why would anyone like them pay for us?Dad strode ahead, his broad shoulders cutting through the cool night air as he made his way to the car.I slid into the backseat, the leather cool against my skin, and waited for the others to join. Ezra, my strong-willed, almost-eighteen-year-old brother, hopped in beside me, his youthful face set in a scowl. He had been seething throughout the dinner, his fists clenched under the table as Kael spewed his nonsense. Ezra
|| Lilac's POV ||The rest of the ride home was the kind of quiet that presses against your eardrums. The sort where nobody wants to be the first to speak because then we'd have to admit how badly tonight went. I pressed my forehead against the cool window, watching streetlights blur past like fading stars.Kael's fake sincerity. Cassandra's razor-sharp smiles. And now the Nightshades playing fairy godmother? My fingers twisted in my dress fabric. None of this made sense.Our house looked different when we pulled up - the porch light too bright, the familiar red door suddenly foreign. Like coming home after a long trip to find all your furniture rearranged.Mom moved first, her keys jangling too loud in the silence. "I'll make sandwiches," she announced, already heading for the kitchen. That's Mom - when the world falls apart, she makes turkey on rye.Ezra collapsed onto the couch like his bones had dissolved. "I'm starving," he declared to the cei
|| Lilac's POV ||The night wore on quicker than I had realised. The fairy lights above us twinkled like stars, casting a soft, golden glow over the clearing. The air was filled with the scent of food, shrimp pasta and tiramisu, my absolute favorites. I had no idea how Alaric had found out about my preferences, but the moment he opened the picnic basket and the aroma wafted out, my stomach growled in anticipation.“Hungry, dove?” Alaric teased, his voice low and smooth as he handed me a plate. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and I couldn’t help but blush as I took it from him.“Starving,” I admitted, my cheeks heating up as I dug into the pasta. The first bite was heavenly, the flavors exploding on my tongue. I couldn’t help but let out a small moan of satisfaction, which only made Alaric’s smirk widen.“You’re adorable when you eat,” he said, his tone playful but his gaze intense. He leaned closer, his eyes dropping to my lips. “You’ve got a little some
|| Lilac's POV ||The rest of the ride home was the kind of quiet that presses against your eardrums. The sort where nobody wants to be the first to speak because then we'd have to admit how badly tonight went. I pressed my forehead against the cool window, watching streetlights blur past like fading stars.Kael's fake sincerity. Cassandra's razor-sharp smiles. And now the Nightshades playing fairy godmother? My fingers twisted in my dress fabric. None of this made sense.Our house looked different when we pulled up - the porch light too bright, the familiar red door suddenly foreign. Like coming home after a long trip to find all your furniture rearranged.Mom moved first, her keys jangling too loud in the silence. "I'll make sandwiches," she announced, already heading for the kitchen. That's Mom - when the world falls apart, she makes turkey on rye.Ezra collapsed onto the couch like his bones had dissolved. "I'm starving," he declared to the cei
|| Lilac’s POV ||The evening air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming night jasmine as we stepped out of the restaurant. The soft hum of the city buzzed around us, but my mind was far from the present. My thoughts were tangled in the web of the Nightshades, their name echoing in my head like a haunting melody. The girl at the counter had said it so casually, as if it were nothing, but her words had struck a chord deep within me. “Your table will always be taken care of by the Nightshades.” Why? Why would anyone like them pay for us?Dad strode ahead, his broad shoulders cutting through the cool night air as he made his way to the car.I slid into the backseat, the leather cool against my skin, and waited for the others to join. Ezra, my strong-willed, almost-eighteen-year-old brother, hopped in beside me, his youthful face set in a scowl. He had been seething throughout the dinner, his fists clenched under the table as Kael spewed his nonsense. Ezra
|| Lilac’s POV ||The room was silent, the weight of his words pressing down on me. I could feel the eyes of every alpha, luna, and noble in the restaurant on me, their whispers filling the air like a low hum. So this was their plan, I thought, my mind racing. To turn the tables in public, to force me into a corner."I will do anything you ask me of. I will even reject her, right now, right here," He slowly stood up.Kael’s eyes fell on Coco, who looked more frightened than ever. Her lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but no words came out.“Besides, once you are marked and mated, the bond with her will fade since they are not mated yet,” Alpha King Darius said, his tone matter-of-fact.I almost laughed. In my past life, the bond between Kael and Coco had never faded, even after I mated with him. They had already been together, their connection stronger than anyone realized. But this time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake."You have grow
|| Lilac’s POV || The air was thick with the mingling scents of expensive perfumes and gourmet food, the atmosphere both luxurious and suffocating. We sat at the table, the tension palpable, our fake smiles plastered on like masks. The server had just poured us one of the most expensive wines on the menu, the deep red liquid swirling in the crystal glasses like liquid fire. I took a sip, the taste rich and bold, but it did little to ease the knot of unease in my stomach. “Thank you, Benson, for obliging the request,” Alpha King Darius said, his voice smooth and composed as he addressed my father. His golden eyes were sharp, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of something, guilt, perhaps, or regret, that I couldn’t quite place. “Not a problem,” Dad replied, his tone polite but clipped. He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. “So, what did you want to talk about?” Luna Cassandra smiled, her warm eyes turning to me. “
|| Lilac's POV ||The Moon Garden didn't just hum with energy— it thrummed with it, like a living creature breathing down my neck. Perfumes too expensive to name mixed with the scent of seared steak and truffles, creating a heady cocktail that made my wolf's nose twitch. Glass walls reflected a thousand points of light—moonlight, chandelier glow, the cold glitter of diamonds around too many throats.Ezra's elbow nudged mine as we followed the waiter. "This place is crawling with alphas," he muttered under his breath.I didn't need to look to know he was right. The weight of stares pressed against my skin like physical hands."Of course it is," Dad said, too calmly. "We're in Nightshade territory now."A shiver crawled down my spine.The Nightshades.Every wolf child grew up hearing the stories. Not the sanitized ones about brave warriors— no, the other stories. The ones whispered after lights-out, where the monsters weren't mindless b
|| Lilac’s POV ||The peach dress looked good—I’d give myself that much. Soft fabric, delicate embroidery, the kind of understated elegance that screamed "I didn’t try too hard" even though I’d spent an hour agonizing over it. The pearls were a nice touch—classic, regal. A Luna’s signature.Too bad I wasn’t a Luna anymore. Which is ironic considering I wasn't anymore.I tugged at the straps, my reflection staring back with a frown. Why the hell did the Reventhorns want this dinner? The engagement was dead. The bond was ash. Kael had his precious mate now—what more could they possibly—So why did this feel like walking into a gilded trap?My phone buzzed on the dresser. Alaric’s name flashed on the screen, and my fingers hovered over it. I could call him. Should I?"Lilac!" Mom’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "We’re leaving!"Right. No more stallin
|| Lilac's POV ||For a fleeting moment, I had believed I was living in that fairy tale.Kael had stood before me, a vision of power and devotion, his golden eyes filled with something I had foolishly thought was love. His voice had been steady as he vowed to cherish me forever, his hands warm as they cradled mine. I had let myself be swept away, believing that this moment, this love, was mine to keep.But then she had arrived.Coco.Her presence was like a storm cloud blotting out the sun, an omen of something dark lurking beneath the surface of my perfect day. She moved through the crowd with quiet confidence, her delicate frame wrapped in a soft peach dress that made her look even more innocent, more fragile. But I knew better. I saw beyond the demure smile, beyond the carefully placed vulnerability in her wide eyes.I should have known then, should have trusted the instinct that screamed at me the moment she stopped before me.The
|| Lilac's POV ||The engagement was broken, but the weight of it still clung to me like a shadow I couldn’t shake. I sat on the edge of my bed, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. I should have felt relief, freedom, but instead, I felt uneasy. So much had changed, and yet, so much remained the same.My wolfwas still faint, her presence a whisper in the back of my mind. It was dangerous, if Kael or anyone else found out about my weakened state, I’d be vulnerable. And then there was Alaric. In my past life, I hadn’t met him until long after I’d mated with Kael. But this time, he was always there, a constant presence that both comforted and unnerved me. Even thinking about his name made my heart beat faster, a flutter of something I couldn’t quite name.I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I tried to push the thoughts away. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. I glanced at the screen, and my stomach dropped. Kae