|| Lilac’s POV ||
Elara’s eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward, her expression filled with worry. “Did he treat you badly?” she asked, her voice sharp.
How could I explain that the man who had shown me more care and understanding than anyone else wasn’t the one I was meant to be with? How could I make her understand the weight of the Goddess’s words, the destiny that loomed over me like a shadow?
“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “He cares a lot. I mean, he even cooked for me and took me to his house.” I sighed, my fingers tracing the rim of my coffee cup, the warmth of the ceramic doing little to soothe the cold ache in my chest. “He also helped me with Ezra. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have known that Ezra was being followed.”
Elara’s frown deepened. “Did he cheat on you? Or give you the vibe?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
“Not really,” I said, my voice soft. “He doesn’t seem to be the type. There’s something in him that
|| Lilac's POV || The dinner table was warm and inviting. The scent of baked fish and freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of herbs from the garden outside. It was a rare moment of peace, one I had been craving after the chaos of the past few weeks. But as I sat there, picking at my food, I could feel the weight of my parents’ gazes on me. They had something to say, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear it. “Sweetpea,” mom began, her voice soft but filled with a quiet determination. “Your father and I were talking about Alexander.” I looked up, my fork pausing mid-air. “Alexander?” I repeated, my voice cautious. “Yes,” dad chimed in, his tone warm but firm. “He’s a remarkable young man. Soon, he’ll take over Silver Moon, and from what we’ve heard, he’s going to make an excellent Alpha.” I nodded slowly, my mind racing. I knew where this was going, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. “Silver Moon is the strongest pack in the r
|| Lilac's POV ||After dinner, I retreated to my room, my mind racing with thoughts I couldn’t escape. My parents’ words echoed in my head, adding to the already heavy burden I was carrying.Finding a soulmate was like finding a needle in a haystack, and the chances were slim. But even if I did find him, how would I know? My wolf was dormant, her presence faint and elusive. Without her, I had no way of recognizing my true mate.I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands trembling as I buried my face in them. What was I supposed to do? Where was I supposed to look? The Moon Goddess had given me a second chance, but she hadn’t given me a map. I was lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty, and I didn’t know how to find my way.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.“Come in,” I called, my voice barely above a whisper.The door creaked open, and Ezra poked his head in.“Hey,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. “Can I co
|| Lilac's POV ||The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of my room, casting a soft golden glow over the space. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the intricate patterns of the rug beneath my feet. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one tugging at the edges of my heart. The Moon Goddess’s vision still haunted me, her words echoing in my mind like a relentless tide. Find your mate, or face the same fate. But how could I find someone when my wolf remained dormant, silent, as if it had never existed? The connection I felt with Alaric was undeniable, but his words had shattered me. We are not mates. The memory of his voice, so final and resolute, made my chest ache.A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Elara bounded in, her usual energy filling the room like a burst of sunlight. Her auburn hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her green eyes sparkled with excitement. She was holding
|| Lilac's POV ||“Alright,” I said, my voice steady now. “Let’s do it. Let’s go to the Wolf Gala.”Elara’s grin returned, and she clapped her hands together. “That’s the spirit! Now, we need to figure out what you’re going to wear. This is a masquerade ball, after all. You need a dress that will make you feel like the queen you are.”I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “You’re impossible, you know that?”“And you love me for it,” she shot back, winking. “Now, come on. We have a lot of planning to do.”As we spent the rest of the morning discussing dresses, masks, and the logistics of the event, I felt a sense of hope blossoming within me. For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to dream of a future where I was happy, where I had found my mate and was free from the shadows of my past.But as the day wore on, a nagging thought crept into the back of my mind. What if my mate wasn’t at the gala? What if the red moon didn’t
|| Lilac's POV ||The soft rustle of fabric against my skin was the only sound in the room as I stood before the floor-length mirror, staring at my reflection. The navy blue gown hugged my figure perfectly, the rich color contrasting beautifully with my light brown hair, which cascaded in loose curls around my shoulders. The golden accents on the dress shimmered faintly under the light, giving the illusion of stars scattered across a midnight sky. The mask I wore was a masterpiece— navy blue with intricate golden filigree that curled around the edges, framing my eyes and covering the upper half of my face. My lips, painted a soft rose, were the only part of my face left uncovered, but even they seemed to blend into the mystery of the mask. My hair was styled to perfection, the curls falling just so, making me look like a porcelain doll, flawless and untouchable.I turned slightly, the skirt of the gown swirling around me, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of satisfac
|| Lilac’s POV ||The hall was packed with people, all dressed in elaborate gowns and suits, their faces hidden behind masks of every color and design. It was impossible to tell who was who, and that was the point. Tonight, identities didn’t matter. It was all about the soul, the connection, the scent.Elara leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is it, Lil. The moment of truth.”I nodded, though my throat felt dry. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”We made our way further into the room, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the event. There were tables laden with food and drink, and a dance floor in the center of the room where couples were already swaying to the music. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation and excitement.Elara turned to me, her expression apologetic. “I need to go do my thing, Lil. You know, press duties and all that. Will you be okay on your own?”I forced a smile, thoug
|| Lilac’s POV ||For a moment, I was frozen, my mind racing. Was he the one? Could this be the moment I had been waiting for? My heart trembled, a mix of hope and fear coursing through me. I forced myself to nod, my voice barely above a whisper. “Of course.”He extended his hand, and I placed mine in his, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver down my spine. He led me to the dance floor, his grip firm yet gentle. The music swelled around us, a slow, melodic waltz that seemed to pull us into its rhythm. His hand settled on my waist, and I placed my other hand on his shoulder, our bodies moving in sync as we began to glide across the marble floor.I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the music guide me, but more than that, I listened— waited— for a bond to spark. For that unmistakable pull that would tell me this was my mate. I focused on his scent, a mix of cedar and something earthy, but there was no recognition, no deep-seated connection. My heart sank, bu
|| Lilac's POV ||"Please," I whispered, my voice shaking as I turned to Kael. "Let them go."The words felt foreign, bitter, like ashes on my tongue. I had never begged before, never thought I would have to. But for them-for my parents-I would swallow my pride.I had begged before Kaek. I had pleaded with Kael to remember the vows we made, the promises he had whispered in the dark when the world felt safe."You will always come first," he had told me, his voice a balm to my fears.That was before Coco. Before she swept into the palace like a storm, leaving ruin in her way. He swore nothing would change, that I would still be his queen, his love. It was all a lie. A beautiful, cruel lie.Kael's golden eyes flickered with something unreadable, gone before I could grasp it. His silence cut deeper than a blade. My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms, but the pain was nothing compared to the ache inside me.The air reeked of blood and betrayal, thick and suffocating. The
|| Lilac’s POV ||For a moment, I was frozen, my mind racing. Was he the one? Could this be the moment I had been waiting for? My heart trembled, a mix of hope and fear coursing through me. I forced myself to nod, my voice barely above a whisper. “Of course.”He extended his hand, and I placed mine in his, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver down my spine. He led me to the dance floor, his grip firm yet gentle. The music swelled around us, a slow, melodic waltz that seemed to pull us into its rhythm. His hand settled on my waist, and I placed my other hand on his shoulder, our bodies moving in sync as we began to glide across the marble floor.I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the music guide me, but more than that, I listened— waited— for a bond to spark. For that unmistakable pull that would tell me this was my mate. I focused on his scent, a mix of cedar and something earthy, but there was no recognition, no deep-seated connection. My heart sank, bu
|| Lilac’s POV ||The hall was packed with people, all dressed in elaborate gowns and suits, their faces hidden behind masks of every color and design. It was impossible to tell who was who, and that was the point. Tonight, identities didn’t matter. It was all about the soul, the connection, the scent.Elara leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is it, Lil. The moment of truth.”I nodded, though my throat felt dry. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”We made our way further into the room, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the event. There were tables laden with food and drink, and a dance floor in the center of the room where couples were already swaying to the music. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation and excitement.Elara turned to me, her expression apologetic. “I need to go do my thing, Lil. You know, press duties and all that. Will you be okay on your own?”I forced a smile, thoug
|| Lilac's POV ||The soft rustle of fabric against my skin was the only sound in the room as I stood before the floor-length mirror, staring at my reflection. The navy blue gown hugged my figure perfectly, the rich color contrasting beautifully with my light brown hair, which cascaded in loose curls around my shoulders. The golden accents on the dress shimmered faintly under the light, giving the illusion of stars scattered across a midnight sky. The mask I wore was a masterpiece— navy blue with intricate golden filigree that curled around the edges, framing my eyes and covering the upper half of my face. My lips, painted a soft rose, were the only part of my face left uncovered, but even they seemed to blend into the mystery of the mask. My hair was styled to perfection, the curls falling just so, making me look like a porcelain doll, flawless and untouchable.I turned slightly, the skirt of the gown swirling around me, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of satisfac
|| Lilac's POV ||“Alright,” I said, my voice steady now. “Let’s do it. Let’s go to the Wolf Gala.”Elara’s grin returned, and she clapped her hands together. “That’s the spirit! Now, we need to figure out what you’re going to wear. This is a masquerade ball, after all. You need a dress that will make you feel like the queen you are.”I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “You’re impossible, you know that?”“And you love me for it,” she shot back, winking. “Now, come on. We have a lot of planning to do.”As we spent the rest of the morning discussing dresses, masks, and the logistics of the event, I felt a sense of hope blossoming within me. For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to dream of a future where I was happy, where I had found my mate and was free from the shadows of my past.But as the day wore on, a nagging thought crept into the back of my mind. What if my mate wasn’t at the gala? What if the red moon didn’t
|| Lilac's POV ||The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of my room, casting a soft golden glow over the space. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the intricate patterns of the rug beneath my feet. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one tugging at the edges of my heart. The Moon Goddess’s vision still haunted me, her words echoing in my mind like a relentless tide. Find your mate, or face the same fate. But how could I find someone when my wolf remained dormant, silent, as if it had never existed? The connection I felt with Alaric was undeniable, but his words had shattered me. We are not mates. The memory of his voice, so final and resolute, made my chest ache.A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Elara bounded in, her usual energy filling the room like a burst of sunlight. Her auburn hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her green eyes sparkled with excitement. She was holding
|| Lilac's POV ||After dinner, I retreated to my room, my mind racing with thoughts I couldn’t escape. My parents’ words echoed in my head, adding to the already heavy burden I was carrying.Finding a soulmate was like finding a needle in a haystack, and the chances were slim. But even if I did find him, how would I know? My wolf was dormant, her presence faint and elusive. Without her, I had no way of recognizing my true mate.I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands trembling as I buried my face in them. What was I supposed to do? Where was I supposed to look? The Moon Goddess had given me a second chance, but she hadn’t given me a map. I was lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty, and I didn’t know how to find my way.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.“Come in,” I called, my voice barely above a whisper.The door creaked open, and Ezra poked his head in.“Hey,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. “Can I co
|| Lilac's POV || The dinner table was warm and inviting. The scent of baked fish and freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of herbs from the garden outside. It was a rare moment of peace, one I had been craving after the chaos of the past few weeks. But as I sat there, picking at my food, I could feel the weight of my parents’ gazes on me. They had something to say, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear it. “Sweetpea,” mom began, her voice soft but filled with a quiet determination. “Your father and I were talking about Alexander.” I looked up, my fork pausing mid-air. “Alexander?” I repeated, my voice cautious. “Yes,” dad chimed in, his tone warm but firm. “He’s a remarkable young man. Soon, he’ll take over Silver Moon, and from what we’ve heard, he’s going to make an excellent Alpha.” I nodded slowly, my mind racing. I knew where this was going, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. “Silver Moon is the strongest pack in the r
|| Lilac’s POV ||Elara’s eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward, her expression filled with worry. “Did he treat you badly?” she asked, her voice sharp.How could I explain that the man who had shown me more care and understanding than anyone else wasn’t the one I was meant to be with? How could I make her understand the weight of the Goddess’s words, the destiny that loomed over me like a shadow?“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “He cares a lot. I mean, he even cooked for me and took me to his house.” I sighed, my fingers tracing the rim of my coffee cup, the warmth of the ceramic doing little to soothe the cold ache in my chest. “He also helped me with Ezra. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have known that Ezra was being followed.”Elara’s frown deepened. “Did he cheat on you? Or give you the vibe?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.“Not really,” I said, my voice soft. “He doesn’t seem to be the type. There’s something in him that
|| Lilac’s POV || As Alaric’s car disappeared down the road, I felt a hollow ache settle deep in my chest. It was as if a part of me had been ripped away, leaving behind an emptiness that I couldn’t shake. The sound of the engine faded, replaced by the distant hum of the city, but the silence in my heart was deafening. I stood there for a moment, my arms wrapped around myself, trying to hold onto the warmth of his presence that still lingered in the air. But it was no use. The void was there, gnawing at me, a constant reminder of what I couldn’t have. I took a deep breath, the crisp morning air filling my lungs, and forced myself to turn away. The café was just a few steps ahead, its familiar facade a small comfort in the storm of emotions swirling inside me. The bell above the door jingled softly as I stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wrapping around me like a warm blanket. The café was cozy, with its wooden floors and mismatched furn