|| Lilac’s POV ||

The garden was a sanctuary of silver and shadow, bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon. Its light spilled over the lush foliage, casting intricate patterns on the ground, as if the night itself had painted a masterpiece. The air was heavy with the intoxicating perfume of night jasmine, its sweetness mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil. Somewhere in the distance, the faint rustle of leaves whispered secrets to the gentle breeze, a symphony of nature that should have been soothing. But the tranquility of the night was shattered the moment his voice cut through the silence, smooth and teasing, like a predator circling its prey.

“I wonder what my sister-in-law is doing here all by herself,” Alaric said, his lips curling into a smirk that was equal parts charming and infuriating. His voice was low, a velvety rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very air, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. I froze, my heart skipping a beat before it began to race, each thud echoing in my ears like a drum. Slowly, I turned to face him, my breath catching in my throat as his grey eyes locked onto mine. They gleamed in the moonlight, their intensity piercing through me as if he could see every secret I had ever tried to hide, every thought I had ever buried.

For a moment, I was paralyzed, caught in the gravity of his gaze. His presence was overwhelming, a force of nature that demanded attention. He stood there, tall and broad-shouldered, his silhouette cutting a striking figure against the moonlit backdrop. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had been running his fingers through it, and his tailored shirt clung to his frame in a way that was both infuriatingly casual and undeniably alluring.

I quickly regained my composure, pulling my hands free from his grip. His touch lingered on my skin, warm and electric, and I hated how much it affected me. My skin tingled where his fingers had been, a sensation that spread like wildfire through my veins. 

“I am not your sister-in-law,” I said firmly, my voice sharper than I intended. But he only chuckled, the sound deep and rich, like the rumble of distant thunder. It was a laugh that seemed to reverberate in my chest, stirring something I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Is that so?” he mused, tilting his head as he took a step closer. His height was imposing, his broad shoulders casting a shadow over me, and I felt small, vulnerable, in a way that both unnerved and excited me. “I could’ve sworn I saw you on that stage just a few hours ago, in the arms of my dear little brother.” His tone was light, almost playful, but there was an edge to it, a challenge that made my pulse quicken. His words were a reminder of the charade, the role I had agreed to play, and yet they felt like a taunt, as if he knew how much it grated on me

I forced myself to hold his gaze, lifting my chin defiantly. “I didn’t choose to be there,” I said coolly. “Queen Cassandra did.”

He hummed, tilting his head as if considering my words. “Ah. So you’re just a victim of fate, then? No agency of your own? Poor, helpless Lilac.”

The mocking sympathy in his voice made something snap inside me.

“I am not helpless,” I shot back, my voice laced with steel.

Alaric's smirk widened, a slow, knowing curve of his lips. 

“Of course you are not,” he murmured, his voice dropping to something lower, something more dangerous. 

I took a step back, my back pressing against the rough bark of a towering oak tree. He closed the distance between us, his presence overwhelming, his scent, pinewoods and something uniquely him, filling my senses. I was trapped, caged between him and the tree, and the realization sent a thrill of both panic and something else I couldn’t quite name racing through me.

“Regretting your decision already?” he asked, his smirk widening as he leaned in, his face mere inches from mine. His breath was minty, cool against my skin, and I hated how my traitorous heart fluttered at the proximity. His sharp jawline, his arrogant nose, his full lips, they were all too close, too distracting. For a fleeting moment, I wondered what it would be like to kiss him, to feel those lips against mine. The thought shocked me, and I quickly pushed it away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“I don’t regret anything,” I lied, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to steady it. His eyes narrowed, as if he could see right through me, and I felt exposed, laid bare before him. He was too perceptive, too clever, and I hated how easily he could unravel me.

“Liar,” he murmured, his voice a low, seductive purr that sent a shiver down my spine. His hand reached up, brushing a strand of hair from my face, and I hated how my breath hitched at the contact. His touch was gentle, almost tender, and it was that tenderness that undid me. I wanted to pull away, to put distance between us, but I couldn’t move. I was rooted to the spot, caught in the web of his gaze, his touch, his presence.

What is wrong with me?My mind is racing. In my previous life, I had never had this encounter. I had never left Kael’s side during the celebration, too enamored with him, too blinded by the dream of becoming his Luna. Alaric had been nothing more than a shadow, an unimportant piece in the grand scheme of my story. But now, here he was, standing so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body, his presence impossible to ignore.

“What are you thinking so deeply about, sister-in-law?” he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper. His eyes bore into mine, searching, probing, as if he could read every thought racing through my mind. He was too close, far closer than he should be, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to push him away.

“None of your business,” I snapped, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound firm. I ducked under his arm, slipping past him and putting some much-needed distance between us. My heart was pounding, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps as I walked away, my steps quick and purposeful. I could feel his gaze on my back, heavy and unrelenting, but I refused to look back.

The moonlight bathed the path ahead of me, its silvery glow casting long shadows across the ground. I walked in silence, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Oh, Moon Goddess, what should I do now? The announcement had been made, the engagement ceremony was inevitable, and I was trapped in a web of duty and expectation. How could I get out of this arrangement without hurting my parents? Without causing a scandal that would tarnish their reputation?

And then, like a spark igniting in the darkness, an idea brushed against my mind. It was risky, reckless even, but it was the only way I could see to change the course of my fate. A small smile curved on my lips as the plan took shape, the pieces falling into place. If I played my cards right, if I was careful and cunning, I could turn this situation to my advantage.

But first, I needed to deal with Alaric. The man was a wildcard, unpredictable and dangerous, and I couldn’t afford to let him distract me. And yet, as I walked away, the memory of his piercing grey eyes and the way his touch had sent sparks racing through my skin lingered, a constant reminder of the strange, undeniable connection I had felt.

What is this feeling? I wondered, my hand brushing against the spot where his fingers had gripped my arm. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, a pull so strong it left me breathless. But I couldn’t afford to dwell on it, not now. I had a plan to set in motion, a future to rewrite.