38. Alpha Council

|| Lilac’s POV || The day of the alpha council meeting arrived, and with it came a storm of emotions I wasn’t entirely prepared for. I woke up early, the weight of the day pressing heavily on my chest. The dress from the Nightshades hung in my closet, a reminder of the mysterious forces that seemed to be closing in around my family. I slipped it on, the fabric cool against my skin, and took a deep breath as I looked at myself in the mirror. Today was about more than just appearances it was about proving myself, protecting my family, and confronting the shadows that had been lurking in the corners of my life. Dad was waiting for me downstairs, his expression calm but his eyes sharp with focus. Ezra was already in the car, slouched in the back seat with his arms crossed. He looked upset, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a sullen silence. I couldn’t blame him. Being spied on, having his every move documented, was enough to shake anyone. But today wasn’t the day for sulking. Today,