81. Dance of Deception

|| Lilac’s POV || The grand hall was alive with music and laughter, the air thick with the scent of flowers and the clinking of glasses. The announcement of Alexander and Madeline’s mate bond had electrified the room, and now they stood at the center of the dance floor, their eyes locked as they moved gracefully to the rhythm of the music. The chandelier above cast a soft, golden glow over them, their silhouettes shimmering like something out of a dream. I watched them with a bittersweet ache in my chest. That was how it was supposed to feel— the undeniable pull of a mate bond, the magic of two souls recognizing each other. But why did Alaric’s face keep popping into my head? Why did the thought of him make my heart race and my stomach twist in knots? I sighed, tearing my gaze away from the dancing couple. This wasn’t the time to dwell on Alaric or the confusing mess of emotions he stirred in me. I had a role to play tonight, and I couldn’t afford to let my guard down. As the celebrati