|| Lilac’s POV ||

As I reached my room, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, my heart skipping a beat when I saw the name on the screen.

Alaric.

'Dinner or dessert?'

I couldn’t help but smile, my fingers flying over the screen as I typed my reply, 'I can’t. I’m kinda grounded.'

His response came almost immediately, 'I’ll wait for you in the woods then.'

I bit my lip, my stomach fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. Another ...