Chapter 3: The Time In Between

Lily’s POV

I step closer carefully again. “Can you let them help you?”

For a second, I genuinely think he’s going to refuse again.

Then he finally leans back against the stretcher.

The doctors waste no time after that.

The entire time they cleaned and stitched his wounds, I stayed beside him because every single time I moved too far away, his body tensed again.

It takes nearly an hour before they finally manage to sedate him properly.

Only then do I step outside the room.

Lionel is waiting in the hallway, arms crossed tightly over his chest.

The second he sees me, his expression hardens.

“What exactly were you thinking?”

I blink tiredly. “What?”

“You went to the cliffpoint alone.”

“There wasn’t time to wait.”

“There are guards for a reason, Lily.”

“I was trying to help someone,” I reply quietly.

“That’s not the point.”

I stare at him for a moment.

“You’re going to be Luna soon, Lily. You can’t keep acting recklessly. So many Alphas from other packs are here for our announcement tomorrow, you can’t just…”

“I’m okay,” I say quietly.

Lionel studies me for a second before nodding once. “Good.”

Silence settles awkwardly between us.

Then his phone buzzes.

He glances down at the screen immediately before looking back at me. “I need to handle something. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He presses a quick kiss against my forehead before walking away down the hallway. I stare after him for a moment before quietly slipping back into the stranger’s room.

The stranger lay motionless against the bed, dark hair falling messily across his forehead while fresh bandages wrapped around his side and shoulder.

I move toward the chair beside the bed before sitting down carefully.

“You know,” I murmur eventually, “you caused a lot of trouble tonight. The nurses are terrified of you now. One of them almost fainted.”

My lips twitch faintly.

“But the patrol wolves won’t stop talking about you either.” I glance at him quietly. “They said you saved them.”

The room stays silent except for the soft sound of machines humming nearby.

“I think that was brave.”

I hesitate briefly before continuing.

“My dad would probably like you for that.” A small smile pulls at my lips. “He likes people who protect the pack.”

“I’m Lily, by the way,” I continue whispering softly.

A buzz sounds on my phone. I look down at it - council meeting. I turn back to the stranger whose eyes were now open.

“I have to go. I have a lot to do. It’s my birthday and I’m getting engaged tomorrow so…”

Ignoring the way his eyes narrowed, I awkwardly waved and left the room.

The following day passes in a blur.

The pack house had been chaotic since morning, servants and staff rushing through the halls carrying decorations, trays of food, flowers, dresses and goddess knows what else while preparations for the gala continued nonstop.

Normally, I would have loved it.

But today, something felt... off.

By the time evening finally arrives, I am standing in front of my mirror while two women fuss over my dress for what felt like the hundredth time.

The dress was soft silver, the fabric flowing around me like moonlight. Tiny crystals shimmered across the sleeves and bodice, catching the warm light from the chandelier above.

My pale hair had been curled loosely, falling over my shoulders in soft waves.

A knock suddenly sounds against my bedroom door.

Before I can answer, it opens slowly.

My father steps inside.

The second his eyes land on me, he stops completely. Then his expression softens into something so full of love that my chest aches.

“Well,” he says quietly. “When did my little girl become this beautiful?”

I laugh softly despite myself. “Dad.”

“I’m serious.” He closes the door behind him before walking closer. “You look exactly like your mother tonight.”

“She was beautiful too?” I tease lightly.

He snorts. “Far more terrifying than beautiful.”

I blink in surprise before laughing.

“It’s true.” He smiles faintly. “Your mother once threatened to poison me because I forgot our anniversary.”

I shake my head, laughing again, and for a little while, the strange heaviness inside me eases.

Dad reaches up then, gently fixing a loose curl behind my ear. “You know,” he says quietly, “when you were little, you used to follow me everywhere.”

I smile faintly. “That’s because you used to carry me everywhere.”

A sudden knock interrupts the moment.

“Enter.”

One of the guards steps inside quickly, bowing his head.

“Alpha Cedric,” he says carefully. “An envoy from the Alpha Tribunal has arrived.”

The room goes still.

Even I straighten slightly in surprise.

The Alpha Tribunal.

Everyone knew that name.

Three of the most powerful Alphas in the entire country. They ruled over the territories, settled disputes, enforced laws and decided punishments.

They almost never involved themselves in smaller packs like ours unless something serious had happened.

My father’s expression shifts instantly. “I’ll be there shortly,” he says.

The guard nods once before leaving.

Dad exhales quietly before looking back at me, though the warmth from earlier had dimmed slightly.

“What would the Tribunal want here?” I ask softly.

“I don’t know. I’ll be back before the ceremony starts.”

“Dad…”

His expression softens slightly again. “Don’t worry, sweetheart.”

The second he leaves the room, the silence feels unbearable. I glance toward my phone sitting on the vanity before quickly grabbing it.

Lionel still hadn’t replied to any of my messages from earlier. I stare at the screen for another few seconds before making a decision.

I would just go see him myself.

It wasn’t unusual anyway.

The Blanc estate wasn’t far from the pack house, and if I snuck out now, nobody would even notice I was gone for long.

Ten minutes later, I quietly slip through the side entrance of the mansion, pulling a coat over my dress as I hurried down the path leading toward Lionel’s house.

The evening air was cool against my skin.

My heels clicked softly against the stone walkway while nerves twisted strangely in my stomach.

I wasn’t even sure why I felt nervous.

By the time I reach the Blanc estate, most of the lights inside were still on. I move quietly toward the side entrance, already preparing what I wanted to say to him.

Then I hear Scarlett laughing. I freeze.

The sound comes from one of the partially opened windows nearby.

Confused, I step closer.

And then I see them.

My entire body goes cold instantly.

Lionel was sitting on the couch.

Scarlett was straddling his lap.