|| Lilac’s POV ||
The day of the alpha council meeting arrived, and with it came a storm of emotions I wasn’t entirely prepared for. I woke up early, the weight of the day pressing heavily on my chest. The dress from the Nightshades hung in my closet, a reminder of the mysterious forces that seemed to be closing in around my family. I slipped it on, the fabric cool against my skin, and took a deep breath as I looked at myself in the mirror. Today was about more than just appearances it was about proving myself, protecting my family, and confronting the shadows that had been lurking in the corners of my life.
Dad was waiting for me downstairs, his expression calm but his eyes sharp with focus. Ezra was already in the car, slouched in the back seat with his arms crossed. He looked upset, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a sullen silence. I couldn’t blame him. Being spied on, having his every move documented, was enough to shake anyone. But today wasn’t the day for
|| 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