26. Moon Garden

|| Lilac’s POV || The peach dress looked good—I’d give myself that much. Soft fabric, delicate embroidery, the kind of understated elegance that screamed "I didn’t try too hard" even though I’d spent an hour agonizing over it. The pearls were a nice touch—classic, regal. A Luna’s signature. Too bad I wasn’t a Luna anymore. Which is ironic considering I wasn't anymore. I tugged at the straps, my reflection staring back with a frown. Why the hell did the Reventhorns want this dinner? The engagement was dead. The bond was ash. Kael had his precious mate now—what more could they possibly— So why did this feel like walking into a gilded trap? My phone buzzed on the dresser. Alaric’s name flashed on the screen, and my fingers hovered over it. I could call him. Should I? "Lilac!" Mom’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "We’re leaving!" Right. No more stalling. I grabbed my clutch, took one last steadying breath, and headed downstairs. Mom met me at the bottom of the stairs, her fingers