Chapter 3 A Second Chance

|| Lilac's POV ||

The world around me was a blur of color and sound, a cacophony of laughter, music, and applause that seemed to echo from every corner of the grand hall. The golden chandeliers overhead bathed the room in a warm, flickering glow, casting dancing shadows across the polished marble floors. Velvet banners adorned the towering walls, embroidered with the crest of our pack, the symbol of unity and strength, things I no longer believed in.

My head spun, my thoughts tangled in a web of confusion and disbelief. One moment, I had been on the cold, unforgiving floor of the throne room, a dagger pressed to my stomach, my heart shattered into a thousand irreparable pieces. The next, I was here, standing in the midst of a celebration I had lived through once before, a celebration that had marked the beginning of my downfall.

A tight, warm hug jolted me back to the present. The familiar scent of lavender and honey enveloped me, a scent that once meant home, comfort, safety. My breath hitched, and I froze. It was her. My mother.

Her arms wrapped around me with a gentleness that made my chest ache. "Congratulations, sweetpea," she whispered, her voice thick with pride and love.

The endearment, one I hadn't heard in what felt like a lifetime, sent a sharp pang through my chest. I pulled back slightly, my fingers trembling as they reached for her face. Soft skin met my touch, warm, real. Tears burned behind my eyes as I took in every detail: the laugh lines at the corners of her eyes, the way her lips curled into a radiant smile, the golden flecks in her irises that had always reminded me of sunlight through autumn leaves. She was alive.

How was this possible? I had seen her fall, had watched the life drain from her eyes as Coco's dagger struck true. And yet, here she stood, whole and untouched by the horrors I had witnessed. Was we all ended up in the afterlife?

The applause around me grew louder, a thunderous wave of approval that seemed to shake the very foundations of the hall. I turned, my pulse hammering against my ribs as I scanned the room. Faces I hadn't seen in years, faces I had mourned... smiled back at me as if nothing had changed.

My father stood nearby, his broad shoulders squared, his expression one of quiet pride. His silver-streaked hair caught the candlelight, his deep-set eyes brimming with the warmth I had longed for in my darkest moments. He nodded at me, silent yet speaking volumes, his approval wrapping around me like a protective shield.

They were both here. Alive. Unharmed. But how?

My breath came in short, uneven bursts as I struggled to piece together the impossible. Had I gone mad? Was this some cruel illusion conjured by my grief-stricken mind? The weight of the past pressed down on me, memories colliding and fracturing. My family had been slaughtered before my eyes, their blood staining the cold marble of the throne room. Kael, the man I had given my heart to, had betrayed me in the most unforgivable way. He had denounced me, rejected me, and left me to the mercy of his warriors. And yet, here I was, standing in the middle of a celebration that felt like a cruel, twisted joke.

I glanced down at myself, my hands trembling as I took in the sight of the elegant gown I wore. The fabric shimmered in the soft light, catching the glow from the chandeliers above, yet it felt foreign, almost suffocating against my skin. It was the same dress I had worn that night, the night the Luna Queen Cassandra had chosen me as Kael's mate. The memory hit me like a tidal wave, vivid and unrelenting.

This was the party. Not just any party, but the one that had set my life on a path of heartbreak and ruin. Kael had been the golden child then, the pride of the country, destined to be the next Alpha King. And I, naive and hopeful, had believed that being chosen as his mate was the greatest honor of my life. I grewu up in the same castle with Kael, and I loved him for as long as I remembered, even before I had my wolf, before I understood what love was. At the time, I couldn't have imagined how wrong I was.

I had been blind to the way Kael's charm, his golden exterior, masked the darkness within him. I had been too eager to accept the role of his mate, believing that love would grow between us, that our bond would be forged in fire and lead us to greatness. But the fire that burned within Kael wasn't the kind that would light up the world, it was the kind that scorched everything in its path.

But now, standing here again, I felt no joy, no pride. Only a deep, gnawing dread. How had I ended up here? Was this some twisted dream, a final torment conjured by my dying mind? Or was it something else entirely? The reality crashed down on me with the force of a thousand storms. I was back in time. Somehow, someway, I had been given a second chance.

The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying. My mind raced, replaying the events of my past life, the choices I had made, the mistakes I had repeated, the pain I had endured. I had trusted too easily, loved too deeply, and it had cost me everything. But now, I had the chance to change it all. To rewrite my story. To protect the people I loved. To ensure that Kael and Coco would never destroy me again.

"Lilac, my dear, please step up." The voice was regal, commanding, and all too familiar. I turned to see Luna Queen Cassandra standing on the stage, her posture as elegant and poised as ever.

Beside her stood Kael, his golden eyes scanning the crowd with a confidence that made my stomach churn. He looked every bit the future Alpha King, his broad shoulders and chiseled features drawing the admiration of everyone in the room. But I saw him differently now. I saw the coldness in his eyes, the selfishness that had driven him to betray me. I saw the man who had shattered my heart without a second thought.

The scene before me was one I remembered word for word, moment for moment. The Luna Queen's announcement, the crowd's applause, the way Kael had smiled at me as if I were the most important person in his world. It had all been a lie. A beautiful, devastating lie.

I took a deep breath, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. This time, I wouldn't be fooled. This time, I wouldn't let myself be swept away by false promises and empty words. I would protect my family, no matter the cost. I would be stronger, smarter, and more ruthless than I had ever been before.

As I stepped forward, the crowd parting to let me through, I felt a strange sense of calm settle over me. The fear and confusion that had gripped me moments ago were replaced by a steely resolve. I wouldn't make the same mistakes again. I wouldn't let Kael and Coco destroy me. This time, I would be the one in control.

The Luna Queen extended her hand to me, her smile warm and inviting. "Welcome, Lilac," she said, her voice carrying across the hall. "Today, you take your place as the future Luna of our pack."

The crowd erupted into applause once more, but I barely heard it. My eyes met Kael's, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something in his gaze, curiosity, perhaps, or even admiration. But I felt nothing. No flutter of my heart, no rush of affection. Only a cold, calculating determination.

This was my second chance. And I wouldn't loose to them, I wouldn't walk on the same path.