Chapter 15 Night Of Freedom
|| Lilac’s POV ||
The silence of my room was a welcome reprieve after the chaos of the evening. The engagement was off. But as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window at the moonlit garden, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The engagement might be over, but my fight was far from finished. Kael was still the future Alpha King, and his influence over the kingdom was undeniable.
I had bought myself some time, but I needed a plan, a way to ensure that my fate was truly in my hands.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I tried to organize my thoughts. The events of the Jevening played over in my mind like a broken record, Kael’s defiance, Coco’s dramatic entrance, the crowd’s murmurs of shock and pity. I had played my part perfectly, but I couldn’t afford to rest on my laurels. Not when Kael was still out there, still a threat.
A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts, and before I could respond, Elara burst into the room, her face flushed with excitement.
“Lil!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with glee as she rushed over and pulled me into a tight hug. “Oh my goddess, you really pulled it off!”
I laughed, the sound surprising even me. Elara’s energy was infectious, her excitement a stark contrast to the tension that had been weighing me down.
“I guess I did,” I said, my voice light but tinged with relief.
Elara pulled back, her hands resting on my shoulders as she studied me with wide eyes. “I mean, I knew Kael was cheating on you, but I had no idea the whore he was messing around with was actually his soulmate!” she said, her tone a mix of disbelief and amusement. “Like, how does that even happen? What are the odds?”
I shrugged, a small smile playing on my lips. “Fate works in mysterious ways,” I said, my tone dry. “But honestly, I’m just glad it’s over.”
Elara’s expression softened, her excitement giving way to concern. “Are you okay, though?” she asked, her voice gentle. “I mean, that had to be rough, even if you were planning it.”
I hesitated, my smile faltering for a moment. “I’m fine,” I said, my voice steady. “Really. It’s a relief, honestly. I just… I need to figure out what’s next.”
Elara nodded, her expression thoughtful.
Well, whatever’s next can wait,” she said, her tone brightening. “Because right now, we’re celebrating.”
I raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement returning to my face.
1/3
Elara grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Your freedom, obviously!” she said, her voice filled with excitement. “And the fact that you just pulled off the most epic takedown in pack history. Seriously, Lil, you were amazing. The way you handled that whole situation? Pure class.”
I laughed, shaking my head.
“I don’t know about that,” I said, my tone modest. “I just did what I had to do.”
Elara rolled her eyes, her grin widening.
“Stop being so humble,” she said, her tone teasing. “You were incredible, and you know it. Now come on, we’re going out.”
I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden declaration. “Out?” I repeated. “Where?”
“To a bar, obviously,” Elara said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “You need a drink, Lil. Or five. After the night you’ve had, you deserve it.”
I hesitated, my mind racing with all the things I still needed to do, all the plans I still needed to make. But the thought of a night out, of letting loose and forgetting about everything for a little while, was undeniably tempting. And Elara was right, I did deserve it.
“Okay,” I said, my voice filled with reluctant amusement. “But only if you promise not to let me do anything stupid.”
Elara laughed, the sound warm and rich.
“No promises,” she said, her tone playful. “Now come on, let’s go.”
The bar was a lively spot on the edge of pack territory, its neon sign casting a colorful glow over the street. The sound of music and laughter spilled out into the night as we approached, the energy of the place immediately lifting my spirits. Elara linked her arm with mine, her excitement palpable as she led me inside.
The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and the sound of clinking glasses. The bar was crowded, the patrons a mix of pack members and humans, their voices rising in a cacophony of conversation and laughter. Elara found us a table near the back, her movements confident and assured as she flagged down a waiter.
“Two shots of tequila,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “And keep them coming.”
I laughed, shaking my head as I sat down. “You’re going to get us kicked out,” I said, my tone teasing.
Elara grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Not if we tip well,” she said, her tone light. “Besides, after the night you’ve had, you deserve to let loose a little.”
J
filled with sincerity.
I raised my glass, a flicker of emotion stirring in my chest. “To freedom,” I echoed, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat.
We clinked our glasses together, the sound sharp and clear, before downing the shots in one swift motion. The tequila burned as it went down, the warmth spreading through me like a comforting blanket. It felt a bit stronger. Was it because my wolf was missing? Nevermind! I set the glass down, a small smile playing on my lips as I looked at Elara.
“Okay,” I said, my tone light. “What’s next?”
Elara grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Dancing,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Come on, Lil. You need to let loose.”
I hesitated, my mind racing with all the reasons why I shouldn’t. But the tequila had loosened my inhibitions, and the thought of dancing, of forgetting about everything for a little while, was undeniably tempting.
“Okay,” I said, my voice filled with reluctant amusement. “But only if you promise not to let me embarrass myself.”
Elara laughed, the sound warm and rich. “No promises,” she said, her tone playful. “Now come on, let’s go.”
The dance floor was crowded, the air thick with the scent of sweat and perfume as we made our way through the throng of bodies. The music was loud, the bass thumping in my chest as we found a spot near the center. Elara grabbed my hand, her movements confident and assured as she pulled me into the rhythm.
I laughed, the sound surprising even me as I let myself go, the music and the alcohol washing away the tension that had been weighing me down. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt free, free from Kael, free from the expectations that had been placed on me, free from the weight of my past.
