Chapter 34 Shadows & Secrets -1
|| Lilac’s POV ||
I stood in front of the mirror, the soft fabric of the dress hugging my figure perfectly. The dress was stunning elegant, sophisticated, and exactly what I needed for the alpha council meeting. But the fact that it came from the Nightshades made my stomach twist. What connection did the Blackwoods have with them? Was there something hidden that my parents didn’t know about? Or worse, were they keeping something from me?
I sighed, running my fingers over the delicate fabric. The Nightshades were a mystery, their motives unclear, and their sudden interest in my family was unsettling. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye. But before I could spiral further into my thoughts, I felt a familiar presence in the room.
Sure enough, when I turned around, there he was. Alaric.
He stood at the edge of the room, by the window, his tall frame casting long shadows against the walls. The dim light danced across his sharp features, illuminating the hint of amusement in his stormy grey eyes.
“Looking good,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth, carrying a dangerous edge as he stepped closer. His gaze swept over my dress, lingering for just a second too long, a glimmer of something unreadable flickering across his face. Admiration? Approval? It was hard to tell with Alaric.
I let out a small breath, feeling my chest loosen at the sight of him. No matter how chaotic my mind was, no matter how many storms raged inside me, his presence always had a way of grounding me.
“Alaric,” I greeted, my lips curving into a small, relieved smile.
But his expression shifted, turning serious as he reached into his coat and pulled out a small
camera.
“I have something for you,” he said, his tone laced with something heavy, something that made the hair on my arms rise.
I frowned as I took the camera, my fingers brushing against his for the briefest moment before I clicked it on. The screen flickered to life, and the moment I saw the images, my breath caught in my throat.
Ezra,
Photo after photo of my little brother filled the tiny screen, each one sending a fresh wave of unease crashing over me.
Ezra at the academy.
Ezra in the woods.
Chapter 34 Shadows & Secrets -1
Ezra at the mall.
Ezra sitting at a café, staring out the window, completely unaware of the camera that had captured him.
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My heart pounded as I flipped through the pictures, my grip on the device tightening. Someone had been watching him. Tracking him. Recording his every move as if he were prey.
“I tried to catch the wolf taking the pictures, but he slipped away,” Alaric muttered, his voice edged with frustration. “He must have suspected me of being a thief.”
My stomach churned at the thought. If they had noticed Alaric… then they were skilled. Careful. A predator lurking just outside our line of sight.
But it was the last photo that made my blood run cold.
Ezra stood at the edge of an alley, his posture tense, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets. Opposite him was a man dressed in dark clothing, half–hidden by the shadows. They weren’t just talking.
They were exchanging something.
A package.
“Look closely, around the neck.” Alaric instructed, his voice colder than before.
I swallowed hard and zoomed in on the image, my fingers trembling. At first, I saw nothing unusual about the stranger, just a man in a high–collared jacket, face partially obscured. But then my eyes locked onto a small detail.
A tattoo.
It peeked just above the collar, a dark mark inked into the man’s skin. Only a fraction of it was visible, but I knew what the rest of the design looked like.
A lone wolf.
My blood turned to ice.
“Rogues,” I whispered, the word barely making it past my lips.
Only those who had been banished carried that mark. Those who had been cast out of their packs, stripped of their rights, forced to live in the shadows.
Ezra. My little brother. My naive, stupid little brother he had been dealing with a rogue.
I gritted my teeth, my whole body tensing with anger. My vision blurred at the edges, fury clawing its way through my veins.
Calm down, Lilac,” Alaric’s voice was steady, but I barely heard him.
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Chapter 34 Shadows & Secrets -1
Someone had been watching Ezra. Following him. Hunting him.
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And now, I had proof that he was tangled in something far more dangerous than he realized.
I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palms, the sting barely registering over the storm raging inside me.
I didn’t know whether I wanted to shake Ezra for being so reckless… or find whoever was behind. this and tear them apart.
Without a word, I stormed out of the room and down the stairs. My heart pounded in my chest, my mind racing with a mix of anger and fear. Ezra was lying on the couch, munching on chips. like he didn’t have a care in the world. The sight of him so carefree, so oblivious, made my blood boil.
I walked straight to him and slapped the bag of chips out of his hands. “Lilac! What the hell?” he yelled, sitting up with a start.
“What the hell is this?” I demanded, shoving the camera in his face. His eyes widened as he saw the pictures, his face paling.
“Oh, this… how did you….” he stammered, looking completely taken aback.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway as our parents showed up at the commotion, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. Mom’s eyes flickered between us, worry creasing her brow, while Dad folded his arms over his broad chest, his presence commanding immediate attention.
“What happened?” Dad asked, his voice firm and expectant.
I didn’t hesitate. “Ask your spoiled pup,” I snapped, my voice shaking with barely contained rage. “Ask him what kind of reckless, idiotic deal he has made!”
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