Chapter159: Day of Ceremony

|| Lilac's POV || The morning sun spilled through my bedroom window, golden and deceptive in its warmth. I stood before the floor-length mirror, adjusting the delicate silver embroidery along the neckline of my dress—a deep emerald green, the color of our pack, the color of royalty. My reflection stared back at me, hollow-eyed. You can do this. One step at a time. I exhaled slowly, pressing my palms flat against the cool surface of the vanity. The bruises from last night’s attack had faded under the healers’ care, but the memory hadn’t. The rogues’ snarls. The way Elias had failed to protect me. The way Alaric had. Alaric. Where was he? A knock at the door startled me. "Lilac?" My mother’s voice, soft but firm. "It’s time." I forced a smile before turning. "Coming." I had arrived early to oversee the final arrangements, but I wasn’t alone for long. "Lilac." His voice sent a chill down my spine. Elias strode toward me, his blue eyes scanning my face with exaggerated concern. He was dres