lac's

d hall. The golden chandeliers overhead bathed the room in a warm, flickering glow, casting dancing shadows across the polished marble floors. Ve

the throne room, a dagger pressed to my stomach, my heart shattered into a thousand irreparable pieces. The next, I was here, st

of lavender and honey enveloped me, a scent that once meant home, co

made my chest ache. "Congratulations, sweetpea," s

eached for her face. Soft skin met my touch, warm, real. Tears burned behind my eyes as I took in every detail: the laugh lines at the corners of her eyes,

her eyes as Coco's dagger struck true. And yet, here she stood, whole and un

foundations of the hall. I turned, my pulse hammering against my ribs as I scanned the room. F

hair caught the candlelight, his deep-set eyes brimming with the warmth I had longed for in my darkest mom

here. Alive. Un

n on me, memories colliding and fracturing. My family had been slaughtered before my eyes, their blood staining the cold marble of the throne room. Kael, the man I had given my heart to, had betrayed me

catching the glow from the chandeliers above, yet it felt foreign, almost suffocating against my skin. It was the same dress I had worn

destined to be the next Alpha King. And I, naive and hopeful, had believed that being chosen as his mate was the greatest honor of my life. I grewu up in the same castle

role of his mate, believing that love would grow between us, that our bond would be forged in fire and lead us to greatness. But t

ome twisted dream, a final torment conjured by my dying mind? Or was it something else entirely? The reality crashed d

kes I had repeated, the pain I had endured. I had trusted too easily, loved too deeply, and it had cost me everything. But now, I had th

ng, and all too familiar. I turned to see Luna Queen Cassandra

ha King, his broad shoulders and chiseled features drawing the admiration of everyone in the room. But I saw him differently now. I saw th

en's announcement, the crowd's applause, the way Kael had smiled at me as if I were the

s time, I wouldn't let myself be swept away by false promises and empty words. I would protect my fa

The fear and confusion that had gripped me moments ago were replaced by a steely resolve. I wouldn't make

ing. "Welcome, Lilac," she said, her voice carrying across the h

oment, I saw a flicker of something in his gaze, curiosity, perhaps, or even admiration. But I fe

I wouldn't loose to them, I w