Chapter 7 Miracle Pill

|| Lilac's POV ||

The press room was a whirlwind of motion, a tangled web of voices and movement where the scent of ink mixed with the sharp tang of fresh coffee. Reporters dashed between desks, their fingers flying over keyboards, their conversations an overlapping murmur of questions, speculations, and last-minute edits. The air crackled with energy, the kind that came just before a breaking story, and I slipped through it like a shadow, my pulse thrumming with adrenaline.

I had no room for hesitation. No space for doubt.

My mission was simple, yet the weight of it pressed heavily on my shoulders. I needed to plant a single document, one carefully crafted to cast suspicion on Kael's newest product. His so-called miracle pills, the ones he was about to unveil with grandeur and false promises. The world saw them as revolutionary. I knew better. If I succeeded, if the right person found my document and ran with it, it would spark enough uncertainty to slow him down. Just enough for me to gather real proof before it was too late.

Weaving between frantic reporters, I let my gaze sweep the room, searching for the perfect place. A cluttered table near the far wall caught my eye, papers scattered across its surface, edges crumpled from too many hands rifling through them. It was ideal, messy enough that no one would notice an extra sheet among the chaos.

I hesitated only for a second before moving in.

With a practiced ease, I flipped through the pile, pretending to search for something, all the while slipping my document into the mix. It was subtle, a single sheet of paper with carefully chosen words, just a few lines questioning the safety and long-term effects of Kael's pills. Nothing too direct, nothing that would scream planted evidence. But sometimes, the smallest whisper of doubt could grow into a roar. A single spark could start a wildfire.

My fingers tingled as I stepped back, every nerve in my body screaming at me to leave before someone noticed. I forced myself to move naturally, walking with the same hurried energy as everyone else, as if I, too, had a deadline looming over my head. Every step toward the exit felt heavier, as if the weight of my decision had settled into my very bones.

Am I doing the right thing? The question coiled in my mind, a whisper of doubt that I couldn't shake. Am I any better than Kael if I resort to deception?

But then I thought of Ezra.

The way he had been cast aside, banished, his name smeared with lies until he was nothing more than a ghost in the world of the living. I remembered the agony in his eyes when he was forced to leave, the weight of a fate he hadn't deserved pressing down on his shoulders. I had failed him once. I had watched helplessly as my brother's life crumbled before him, and I had been powerless to stop it.

This time, I wasn't powerless.

This time, I was going to fight.

I slipped into the auditorium just as the conference was about to begin, taking a seat near the back where I could observe without drawing attention. The room was packed, the air buzzing with anticipation. Nobles, warriors, and reporters filled the rows, their eyes fixed on the stage where Kael stood, looking every bit the confident Alpha King.

He was dressed in a tailored suit that hugged his broad shoulders and accentuated his commanding presence. The fabric was a deep, rich black, the kind that seemed to absorb the light around him, making him the focal point of the room. His golden eyes gleamed with confidence, his chiseled features set in a determined expression. He looked powerful, untouchable, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of doubt. How could I possibly stand against someone like him?

But then he began to speak, his voice smooth and commanding as he introduced his new product. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, his tone filled with pride, "today marks the beginning of a new era for our pack. I am proud to present to you the Miracle Pill, a revolutionary breakthrough that will enhance the strength and endurance of our warriors, allowing them to fight for three days and nights without rest, food, or water."

The room erupted into applause, the sound deafening as the crowd absorbed his words. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my expression neutral. I remembered this moment from my past life, the excitement and hope that had filled the air. The Miracle Pill had been hailed as a game-changer, a symbol of Kael's ingenuity and leadership. But I knew the truth. I knew the cost.

The pills had made Kael rich and powerful, his army feared and respected across the lands. But they had also come with a devastating side effect, one that had been discovered far too late. The warriors who took the pills became addicted, their bodies breaking down under the strain. And when the truth finally came out, Kael had skillfully shifted the blame onto Ezra, framing him as the mastermind behind the pills. My brother, my kind-hearted, brilliant brother, had been banished, his name tainted, his life destroyed.

I won't let that happen again, I vowed silently, my heart aching with the memory of Ezra's pain. I won't let Kael destroy my family.

As Kael continued his presentation, I scanned the room, my eyes landing on Alaric. He was seated near the front, his posture relaxed but his expression unreadable. His grey eyes flicked toward me, and for a moment, our gazes locked. There was something in his eyes, a flicker of understanding, as if he could see right through me. It was unnerving, but also strangely comforting. I quickly looked away, my cheeks flushing as I focused back on Kael.

The presentation ended with another round of applause, the crowd buzzing with excitement as Kael stepped down from the stage. I stayed in my seat, my mind racing as I tried to figure out my next move. The document I had planted would take time to have an effect, and I needed to be ready for whatever came next.

As the crowd began to disperse, I felt a hand on my shoulder, startling me. I turned to see Alaric standing beside me, his smirk as infuriating as ever. "Impressive, isn't he?" he said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "The great future Alpha King, always full of surprises."

I forced a smile, my heart racing at his proximity. "He certainly knows how to work a crowd," I replied, my voice carefully neutral.

Alaric's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze searching. "And what about you, Dove? What surprises do you have in store?"

I felt a jolt of panic, but I quickly masked it with a shrug. "Who says I have any surprises?"

He chuckled, the sound low and rich, sending a shiver down my spine. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"

I opened my mouth to retort, but before I could, Kael's voice cut through the air. "Lilac," he said, his tone warm but with an edge of authority. "There you are. I've been looking for you."

I turned to see him approaching, his golden eyes fixed on me. My heart leapt into my throat, but I forced a smile as I stood. "Kael," I said, my voice steady despite the nerves churning in my stomach. "Congratulations on the presentation. It was... impressive."

He smiled, but there was something in his eyes, a flicker of suspicion that made my skin crawl. "Thank you," he said, his gaze shifting to Alaric. "Brother. I didn't expect to see you here."

Alaric's smirk widened, his tone light but laced with challenge. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

The tension between them was palpable, a silent battle of wills that made the air feel heavy. I glanced between them, my mind racing as I tried to figure out how to defuse the situation.

But before I could, Kael turned back to me, his expression softening. "Lilac, I'd like you to join me for a meeting with the nobles. Your insight would be invaluable."

I hesitated, my heart pounding as I weighed my options. This was a test, I realized. Kael was testing my loyalty, seeing how far he could push me. I couldn't afford to refuse, not without raising his suspicions.

"Of course," I said, forcing a smile. "I'd be happy to."

As I followed Kael out of the auditorium, I glanced back at Alaric. His grey eyes met mine, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of hope. He was watching me, his expression unreadable but his presence a constant reminder that I wasn't alone in this.

Whatever happens next, I thought, my resolve hardening, I won't let Kael win. Not this time.