|| Lilac’s POV ||

“Nothing,” I replied with a sigh, though the word felt hollow even to me.

“Nothing?” Elara raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. “It wasn’t nothing. The way he looked at you, and the way you reacted… It’s almost like you two are soulmates. Are you sure he’s not your mate? Really, really sure?”

“He isn’t,” I said, my voice firm despite the ache in my chest. I wished he was. I wished we could be together forever. I wished I ...