Chapter 31 A New Dawn
|| Lilac’s POV ||
I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains and. casting a warm glow over the room. For a moment, I just lay there, savoring the peacefulness of the moment. But then it hit me… how did I end up here? The last thing I remembered was being in the woods, by the river, with Alaric. The night had been magical, filled with laughter, stolen kisses, and a sense of belonging I hadn’t felt in a long time. But now, he was gone.
I sat up, running a hand through my hair as I glanced around the room. His faint scent of pinewoods lingered in the air, a subtle reminder of his presence. My heart ached a little at his absence, but I pushed the feeling aside. Alaric had his own life, I barely knew him, and I couldn’t expect him to stay by my side all the time. Still, I couldn’t help but wish he were here.
I freshened up quickly, the cool water from the sink helping to clear my mind. As I dragged my legs downstairs, the sound of voices reached my cars. Dad was in the living room, his deep, steady tone carrying through the house. He was talking about the upcoming alpha council meeting, and my stomach dropped at the mention of it.
In my past life, this meeting had been the beginning of the end. It was the first time Kael had made his move against my family, planting false accusations that Ezra was associated with rogues. Those lies had disqualified Ezra as the next royal beta, tarnishing our family’s reputation and setting off a chain of events that led to our downfall. I couldn’t let that happen again.
I paused at the bottom of the stairs, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The memories of that time were still fresh in my mind, the pain and betrayal as raw as if it had happened yesterday. But this time, I had a chance to change things. I had to protect my family, no matter what.
As I walked into the living room, Dad looked up from the papers he was holding, his expression. softening when he saw me.
“Morning, sweetpea,” he said, his voice warm but tinged with concern. “You okay? You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind.”
I forced a smile, nodding as I sat down on the couch beside him. “I’m fine, Dad. Just… thinking.”
He studied me for a moment, his sharp eyes missing nothing.
“About the council meeting?” he guessed, his tone gentle.
I nodded again, my fingers twisting in my lap. “Yeah. I overheard you talking about it. When is
it?”
“Next week,” he replied, setting the papers aside. “It’s going to be a big one. Lots of important decisions to make.”
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “Dad… can I come with you?”
He raised an eyebrow, surprised by my request. “You want to come to the council meeting? Why?
Chapter 31 A New Dawn
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these meetings are!”
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “I’m a beta female, Dad. I know I haven’t been as involved as I should be, but I want to learn more about my role in this country. I want to understand how things work, how decisions are made. And… I want to be there for Ezra. He’s going to be the next royal beta, and I want to support him.”
Dad’s expression softened, pride shining in his eyes. “That’s a big step, Lilac. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
I nodded, my resolve hardening. “I am. I know I haven’t always been the most responsible, but I want to change that. I want to be someone our family can rely on.”
He reached over, squeezing my hand gently. “I’m proud of you, sweetpea. If this is what you want, then I’ll make sure you’re there.”
I smiled, relief flooding through me. But beneath the surface, my mind was racing. The council meeting wasn’t just about learning or supporting Ezra, it was about protecting my family. In my past life, the rogues had been dismissed as a minor issue, but I knew the truth. They would. become a major threat, attacking from the south border and leaving devastation in their wake. My parents had been forced to fight on the front lines.
I couldn’t let that happen again. I had to find a way to stop the rogues before they became a problem, to protect my family and our people. But I couldn’t do it alone. I needed to be at that meeting, to see the signs before it was too late.
“Thank you, Dad,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “I won’t let you down.”
He smiled, pulling me into a hug. “I know you won’t, sweetpea. You have always been a strongheaded pup!”
I hugged him back, my heart aching with love and determination. My family meant everything to me, and I would do whatever it took to keep them safe. Even if it meant facing my darkest fears.
As the day wore on, I found myself lost in thought, the memories of my past life haunting me like shadows. The rogues had been a problem that no one had taken seriously, until it was too late. By then, the damage had been done. My parents had been forced to fight tirelessly, their bodies and spirits worn down by the constant battles. The Miracle pills had been their only hope, but they came at a cost. Dad had relied on them too much, and in the end, they had weakened him and his warriors. Some had lost their wolves entirely, their connection to their animal spirits severed. And when the blame fell on Dad, it had shattered him.
Later that evening, Ezra found me sitting by the window, staring out at the darkening sky. He plopped down beside me, his usual energy subdued.
“You okay, Lil?” he asked, his voice softer than usual.
I turned to him, forcing a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
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Chapter 31 A New Dawn
+8 Pearls
I sighed, nodding. “Yeah. I just… I want to be there for you, Ez. You’re going to be the next royal. beta, and I want to make sure nothing gets in your way.”
He grinned, ruffling my hair. “You’re such a worrywart. I’ll be fine, sis. But… thanks. I can manage myself.”
I smiled, my heart swelling with love for my little brother. He was strong–willed and fearless, but he was still just a kid. I would do whatever it took to protect him.
As the night deepened, I found myself standing by the window again, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the room. My mind was racing, but for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of purpose. I had a chance to change things, to protect my family and our future. And I wasn’t going to waste it
“I won’t let you down,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Not this time.”
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