|| Lilac's POV ||The drive home was a blur of streetlights and racing thoughts. My knuckles ached from how tightly I'd been gripping the steering wheel, the leather creaking under my desperate hold. The damage was done. Kael's public meltdown, the wolfsbane scandal, the press swarming like vultures— it was all out there now, immortalized in headlines and gossip columns. And then there was me. His future Luna. The woman he'd humiliated in front of the entire kingdom. A bitter laugh nearly escaped me. How quickly the mighty fall. But beneath the anger, beneath the sting of betrayal, something else pulsed through me—relief. Because now, finally, I had my opening. While Kael scrambled to salvage his reputation, I could disappear. No more expectations. No more pretending. Just... freedom. The familiar sight of our home should have comforted me. Instead, it felt like a gilded cage I was about to break free from. I barely managed to shut off the engine before the front door f
|| Lilac’s POV ||The morning sun spilled through my curtains, painting my room in soft gold. I stretched, savoring the quiet... rare these days. The past week had left me raw, scraped thin, but I needed to pull myself together. Today was about moving forward. Then the doorbell rang. I frowned. Who the hell shows up this early? Padding downstairs, the marble floor cool under my bare feet, I hesitated before opening the door. And there he was. Kael. Of course. He stood on my doorstep, those golden eyes glinting like he’d already won something. In his hands? A massive bouquet of roses— deep red, velvety, expensive. The kind he used to bring me every time he screwed up. My stomach twisted. Back then, I’d thought it was romantic. Sweet, even. Now? I knew better. It wasn’t an apology. It was a reset button. A way to erase whatever he’d done, wrapped in pretty paper and thorns. "Good morning, Lilac." His voice was smooth, effortless. He held out the flowers like an offerin
|| Lilac’s POV ||The days lost count, every single one with the delivery of a new over-the-top present from Kael. A diamond chain that shone like the night sky, a designer bag more expensive than most people made in a month, a jar full of exotic orchids that smelt of summer flowers, every one accompanied by a letter in Kael's lovely handwriting. "To my future Luna," the letters said, every single one of them signed with strong letters. And they made me feel this bitter, smoldering fury. I was standing in my bedroom, gazing at the new present, a velvet case containing a pair of emerald earrings that suited my eye color.My reflection before the mirror caught my attention, and I found myself unable not to notice the difference I made. The gentleness in the eyes was erased, replaced with hardness that didn't exist there before. That girl who trusted in fairytales no more existed, taking the place of a woman knowing the cost of trust."Lilac, darling," my mom yelled from down the stairs,
|| Lilac’s POV ||The house was in chaos.Flowers everywhere, servants scrambling, and my mother’s voice cutting through it all like a drill sergeant’s. “Lilac, sweetpea—ivory or gold? The emeralds or the diamonds? And the shoes, we can’t forget the shoes!”I swallowed back the urge to scream. “Whatever you think is best.”It was the same answer I’d given all week. Because honestly? I didn’t care. Not about the dresses, not about the guest list, and definitely not about the man waiting at the end of this farce.Kael.His name alone made my skin prickle. He’d been hovering around our house like a bad smell, flashing that polished smile while his gifts piled up—each one more extravagant than the last. A diamond bracelet. A vintage car. As if I could be bought.I couldn’t breathe.“I’m going for a walk.” The words came out sharp, and I didn’t wait for a response. I just walked out, ignoring my mother’s startled “Lilac—!” behind me.The woods were my escape.Out here, the air was clean—no
|| Lilac’s POV ||The grand hall was breathtaking—crystal chandeliers glowing overhead, crimson velvet drapes adding a royal touch, and tables piled high with fancy food and champagne. The air smelled like expensive perfume and roasted meat, rich and overwhelming.Every important alpha and noble in the country had come for the engagement ceremony. Laughter and clinking glasses filled the room, but I felt completely out of place—like a puppet in a show I never signed up for.I stood near the edge, my heart pounding, and caught my reflection in a gilded mirror. The girl staring back at me looked like a stranger. My ivory silk dress was elegant, my hair pinned up with tiny pearls, every detail perfect. I looked like a future Luna. But I didn’t feel like one.Mom stood beside me, her emerald-green gown shimmering, her eyes bright with pride."You look beautiful, sweetpea," she whispered, squeezing my arm. "Are
|| Lilac's POV ||The crowd erupted into cheers once more, but I barely heard them. The moment stretched endlessly, my thoughts a whirlwind of emotion. Duty. Legacy. Fate. Love. Was this truly my destiny? Or was I merely playing the role assigned to me?Kael squeezed my hand, and I turned to him. His golden eyes, filled with certainty, searched mine.Then he turned to me, his eyes filled with a warmth that made my skin crawl.“Lilac,” he began, his voice steady and confident.“From the moment I met you, I knew you were special. You are strong, intelligent, and beautiful, and I am honored to have you by my side as my future Luna. I promise to cherish you, to protect you, and to love you for the rest of my days.”The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers and whistles filling the air. I forced another smile, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it. The moment of truth.Kael reached into his pocket, pulling
|| Lilac's POV ||The room was in chaos.Kael hesitated for just a second—his jaw clenched, eyes flickering with something like guilt—before he rushed to Coco’s side. He tore off his fancy coat, the kind that probably cost more than most people made in a year, and draped it over her shaking body like she was something fragile, something precious. "Coco," he said, voice rough with panic. "What happened? Are you hurt?"Before she could answer, the doors slammed open. A group of rough-looking men barged in, scanning the room like hunters. One of them pointed straight at Coco."There she is!" he barked. "Grab her!"Gasps rippled through the crowd. Kael moved instantly, stepping between her and them, his whole body tense."What the hell is this?" he demanded, voice sharp with authority. The leader, a scarred brute with a sneer, didn’t even flinch, "that little thief stole from us. We
|| Lilac’s POV ||The grand hall, once a symbol of unity and celebration, had become a battlefield of emotions. The air was thick with tension, the murmurs of the crowd rising like a storm as they tried to make sense of the scene unfolding before them. Kael stood at the center of it all, Coco cradled in his arms.Luna Cassandra stepped forward, her voice trembling as she addressed her son. “Kael, this is not the time or place for this,” she said, her tone filled with desperation. Her usually composed demeanor was shattered, her hands trembling as she reached out to him. “Think about what you’re doing. Think about the consequences.”Kael’s expression hardened, his grip on Coco tightening as if he were afraid she might slip away. “I’ve thought about it,” he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “And I can’t deny what I feel. Coco is my mate. My true mate. I won’t abandon her.”The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over everyone li
|| Lilac’s POV ||We stepped out of the grand hall and into a long, dimly lit corridor, the heavy wooden door closing behind us with a soft thud that echoed through the stillness. The corridor stretched before us, its walls adorned with tapestries that seemed to breathe with the history of the pack. Each woven thread told a story, of fierce battles fought under blood-red moons, of alliances forged in fire and sealed with unbreakable bonds. The intricate designs seemed to shimmer in the stealth lights that lined the walls, their golden hues casting long, dancing shadows across the polished stone floor.As we walked, my mind drifted to Alaric’s pack, the Blood Moon Pack, and the way it seemed to pulse with life and energy. There, the houses were not just structures but extensions of the forest itself, their wooden frames entwined with ivy and moss, as if the earth had embraced them and made them its own. The air there was always fresh, carrying the scent of pine needles
|| Lilac's POV || The moment I walked away from Alaric, my heart felt like it was being torn in two. The weight of his gaze lingered on me, the intensity of his grey eyes burning into my soul even as I turned my back on him. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions take over— not now, not when so much was at stake. But the ache in my chest was relentless, a constant reminder of the bond I was trying so hard to deny. As I moved through the grand hall, my eyes scanned the room, searching for Alexander. The Eclipse Ball was in full swing, the air filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. The room was a sea of masks and gowns, the flickering candlelight casting a warm glow over the opulent decor. But amidst the glittering crowd, one figure caught my attention, and my breath hitched. Kael. He stood near the far wall, his tall frame commanding attention even in a room full of alphas. Beside him was Astrid Moonvale, her delicate features framed by her
|| Alaric’s POV ||The drive to the venue was quiet, the weight of the night pressing down on me. The grand hall was lit up with thousands of twinkling lights, the air filled with the scent of flowers and perfume. The sound of music and laughter echoed through the space, but it all felt distant, like a dream I couldn’t quite reach.I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the crowd. The room was filled with people, their masks and gowns creating a sea of color and movement. But I wasn’t here for them. I was here for her.And then, I saw her.Lilac stood at the edge of the room, her gown shimmering under the light. Her hair was styled in loose curls, and her makeup was subtle but elegant. She looked like a queen, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.Our eyes met, and the world around us faded away. It was just the two of us, the connection between us undeniable. But then, she looked away, her expression hardening as she turned and disappeared
|| Lilac’s POV || The night of the Eclipse Ball arrived, and I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. The dress my mom had chosen was stunning— a deep wine red that brought out the gold in my eyes, the fabric hugging my curves in all the right places. My hair was styled in loose curls, and my makeup was subtle but elegant. I looked like a queen, but I didn’t feel like one. My heart was heavy, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I had spent the past few days preparing for this night, but now that it was here, I felt unprepared. The thought of seeing Alaric again, of facing him after everything that had happened, made my chest ache. But I couldn’t let my feelings get in the way. Not tonight. I took a deep breath, smoothing down the fabric of my dress, and turned to leave the room. My parents were waiting for me downstairs, their expressions filled with pride and excitement. “You look beautiful, sweetpea,” Mom said, her eyes shining with t
|| Lilac’s POV ||My pulse pounded as memories resurfaced, clearer now than they had been before. This was the very night Kael had recommended Astrid Moonvale to Alexander. The Moonvale family was powerful— wealthy, politically influential, and deeply connected in the capital.And Astrid…Astrid and Alexander had mated that night.It had been seen as a union of strength. Their bond had given Alexander an undeniable boost, solidifying his pack’s position in the political arena. But it hadn’t been long before he found his true mate— after he had already marked Astrid. The scandal that followed had sent shockwaves through the werewolf community, tainting his reputation and shaking his pack’s foundation.And who had stepped in to clean up the mess?Kael.He had turned the scandal into an advantage, using it to his benefit, weaving his way into Alexander’s inner circle as a trusted ally and savior. Both the families were grateful to Kael.
|| Lilac's POV || The days passed in a blur, each one heavier than the last. I stayed in my room, the curtains drawn, the world outside feeling distant and unimportant. My thoughts were a tangled mess, my heart torn between the life I wanted and the destiny I feared. Alaric’s words echoed in my mind, his possessiveness, his declaration that I was his. But the Moon Goddess’s vision loomed over me, a constant reminder of the stakes. If I didn’t find my mate, everyone I loved would suffer. My parents, Ezra, Elara… and Alaric. The thought was unbearable, but so was the idea of defying fate. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor, when the door creaked open. My mom stepped in, her presence warm and comforting. She carried a tray of snacks, the scent of freshly baked cookies filling the room. “Hey, sweetpea,” she said, her voice soft and filled with concern. “I brought you some snacks.” I forced a smile, though it felt brittle on my lips. “Thanks, Mom.”
|| Third-Person POV ||As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky burned in hues of deep crimson and violet, casting eerie shadows over the dense forest. The towering pines whispered with the cool evening breeze, but Coco barely noticed. Every step she took was calculated, precise— yet her heart pounded violently in her chest.She was no stranger to danger.No stranger to playing the part she needed to survive.This was her moment. This was her chance to turn the tide.She had spent too long clawing her way into Kael’s world, too long playing the submissive role, waiting for the moment she could prove her worth. Now, the moment had come. If she succeeded tonight, there would be no question— Kael would be back in the election game. He would see her, need her, choose her.All she had to do was get inside the pack.The guards spotted her almost immediately as she emerged from the treeline, their keen eyes narrowing in suspicion.
|| Kael’s POV || The heavy oak doors of the study creaked open as I stepped inside, the scent of aged wood and leather filling my nostrils. My father sat behind his desk, his expression dark and unreadable, while my mother stood by the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The tension in the room was palpable, a thick fog of disappointment and frustration that made it hard to breathe. “Where have you been?” My father’s voice was low, edged with barely restrained anger, but it was his eyes that made my blood run cold. They bore into me, sharp and accusing, as if he already knew the answer but wanted the satisfaction of hearing me admit it. I didn’t flinch under his scrutiny, but my pulse pounded in my ears. My mind raced for an excuse, something that wouldn’t set him off even more. “I was busy,” I said finally, keeping my voice even, though the lie sat heavy on my tongue. His lips curled in displeasure. “Busy doing what?” Before I could r
|| Alaric’s POV ||I gritted my teeth. She didn't even want her parents to know about us!Marcus let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Damn, Alaric. You really don’t do things the easy way, huh?”I shot him a glare. “Wouldn’t be any fun if I did.”He smirked. “Oh, because stealing your brother’s ex and making her your Luna is so much fun?”I growled. “She was never his.”Marcus held up his hands again.“Relax, big guy. I know. I just like seeing you lose your cool.” He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “So, what’s the plan? You gonna tell her? Or are you just going to keep looking at her like she hung the damn moon and hope she figures it out?”I clenched my jaw.Lilac was already tangled in my world in ways she didn’t understand.She had been reborn into it.Fated to it.To me.But she didn’t know that yet.And I had no idea how to tell her.“She’ll know when she’s ready,