|| Lilac’s POV ||
The night had passed in a blur, my mind racing with plans and possibilities. Sleep had been elusive, my thoughts consumed by the council meeting that loomed over us like a storm cloud. By morning, the weight of exhaustion pressed heavily on my shoulders, but I couldn’t afford to show weakness. Not today. The council chamber was a grand, imposing hall, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of wolves and moons. The air was thick with tension, the murmurs of the gathered crowd echoing like the low growl of a distant storm. Dad sat among the council members, his expression unreadable, while Ezra and I stood at the back, blending into the sea of onlookers. “I’m worried a bit,” Ezra whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of conversation. “Why?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. Ezra shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to where Alaric stood at the center of the room. “Well… you know… I kinda liked Alaric. I|| Lilac’s POV || The night had been long and restless, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Elias was leaving for the border today, and while a part of me felt relieved, another part was tangled in guilt and confusion. I didn’t know what to do, how to feel, or even how to process the mess my life had become. I stayed up late, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts racing in circles until exhaustion finally pulled me into a fitful sleep. When I woke, it was to the sound of Elara’s voice, sharp and insistent. “Hey, how come you’re still sleeping?” she asked, her tone a mix of concern and exasperation. I blinked, disoriented, as I sat up in bed. The sunlight streaming through the windows was too bright, too cheerful for the storm brewing inside me. “Elara, what are you doing here? What time is it?” I asked, my voice groggy. “It’s half past noon. What happened? We were supposed to meet yesterday. No call, no messages,” Elara said, her hands on her hip
|| Lilac's POV ||Soon enough, the doorbell rang, and Elias was there, standing on the threshold with a hesitant smile. “Hey, going somewhere?” he asked, his eyes scanning my outfit. “Yeah. We’re going for a walk,” I replied, my voice tight. Elias nodded, though I could see the disappointment in his eyes. He didn’t say anything, just fell into step beside me as we walked toward the river. The air was crisp, the kind of cold that bites at your skin but clears your mind. The riverbank was quiet, the water reflecting the pale winter sky. We sat down on a weathered bench, the silence between us heavy and unspoken. “You’re leaving?” I asked finally, breaking the silence. “Yeah, in a few days,” he said, his voice calm but tinged with sadness. I felt a strange mix of relief and guilt. Relief that I wouldn’t have to see him every day, guilt that I felt that way at all. What kind of person am I? I thought, my chest tightening. “Dad told me. Why didn’
|| Lilac's POV || Since our last hangout, things had taken a turn for the better—at least on the surface. Elara had stirred up a storm for Kael, and it was glorious. She didn’t have to do much, just leak a few carefully selected pictures of him and Coco, along with a scandalous video of Coco giving him a lap dance. The images went viral within hours, and the whispers of scandal followed Kael like a shadow. I smiled inwardly, a small, vindictive part of me reveling in his discomfort. Served him right. But while Kael’s reputation took a hit, our investigation into the Miracle Pills was far from over. I knew it would be dangerous, and I couldn’t let Elara shoulder the burden alone. She was fearless, but even she had her limits. So, I got dressed, ready to meet her and dive deeper into the mess we were unraveling. But as I reached for the door, my father’s voice stopped me in my tracks. “Where are you going?” he asked, his tone firm but not unkind. “I’m going to meet
|| Lilac's POV || Madeline was half-drunk, her cheeks flushed and her laughter louder than usual. Elara wasn’t far behind, her words slightly slurred but her wit as sharp as ever. Astrid and I were more restrained, nursing our drinks and enjoying the chaos without fully succumbing to it. It was the kind of night I needed—a distraction from the storm raging inside me. “So, when did it all start?” Madeline asked, her voice carrying a tipsy lilt as she leaned forward, her glass of wine sloshing precariously in her hand. “The night we went to the party after she broke off her engagement with Kael,” Elara smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. She was clearly enjoying this, her tone dripping with satisfaction. “That bastard deserved it,” Madeline declared, her voice loud and unapologetic. She took another sip of her wine, her eyes narrowing as if she were imagining Kael’s face in front of her. “What is she talking about?” Astrid asked, her brow furrowing as sh
|| Lilac’s POV || Elara’s eyes narrowed, and before I could stop her, she reached over and pulled down the collar of my dress, checking for a mark on my neck. “Did he mark you?” she demanded. “No,” I said, pushing her hand away. “It’s not like that.” “But now your mate is here,” Elara said, her voice firm. “So everything will slowly go away, Lilac.” “I don’t know that,” I replied, my voice trembling. Suddenly, Madeline giggled, her eyes glued to her phone. All of us turned to look at her, our expressions a mix of frustration and amusement. “Come on, Maddy. Put the phone down,” Astrid said, exasperated. “I can’t. I’m texting,” Madeline replied, her fingers still flying across the screen. They were so much in love. Why didn’t I feel the same for Elias? The thought gnawed at me, a constant reminder of the disconnect between what I was supposed to feel and what I actually did. “Madeline, we’re being serious here,” Astrid said, her tone s
|| Lilac's POV || The server appeared then, her presence a welcome distraction. “Do you want anything else? You’ve barely touched your food, Miss. We can bring you something else,” she said, her tone polite but tinged with worry. “Oh, I’m good. I just don’t have much of an appetite,” I said, my smile strained. She nodded and retreated, but not before casting another glance in my direction. “What’s up with her?” Elara asked, her eyes following the server. “She keeps checking on you like you’re the most esteemed guest here.” “I think that’s just for the tips,” Madeline said with a shrug. But only I knew the truth. It was because of Alaric. Because, to them, I was still his. The lunch dragged on, the conversation shifting to lighter topics, but I couldn’t shake the unease that had settled over me. When the meal finally ended, I felt a wave of relief. Alexander asked for the bill, but the server returned empty-handed. “I’m sorry, Alpha, but I