48. Drunken Confession

|| Lilac’s POV || The cabin was bathed in the soft glow of the firelight, the warmth of the flames casting flickering shadows across the room. The scent of herbs and spices filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the wood and the faint sweetness of the wine we had been sipping. Alaric moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, his muscles flexing as he chopped vegetables and stirred sauces. I couldn’t help but watch him, my eyes tracing the lines of his broad shoulders and the way his hands moved with precision and grace. There was something mesmerizing about the way he worked, the rhythm of his movements almost hypnotic. He was completely in his element, his focus entirely on the task at hand. But every now and then, he would glance over at me, his eyes meeting mine, and a small smile would tug at his lips. It was a smile that made my heart skip a beat, a smile that made me feel like I was the only person in the world. “Enjoying the view?” Alaric asked, his voice low and