61. Hope & Disappointment

|| Lilac’s POV || For a moment, I was frozen, my mind racing. Was he the one? Could this be the moment I had been waiting for? My heart trembled, a mix of hope and fear coursing through me. I forced myself to nod, my voice barely above a whisper. “Of course.” He extended his hand, and I placed mine in his, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver down my spine. He led me to the dance floor, his grip firm yet gentle. The music swelled around us, a slow, melodic waltz that seemed to pull us into its rhythm. His hand settled on my waist, and I placed my other hand on his shoulder, our bodies moving in sync as we began to glide across the marble floor. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the music guide me, but more than that, I listened— waited— for a bond to spark. For that unmistakable pull that would tell me this was my mate. I focused on his scent, a mix of cedar and something earthy, but there was no recognition, no deep-seated connection. My heart sank, but I kept dancing, hoping