Chapter 119 Chapter 119 - Little Surprise

Chapter 119 Chapter 119 - Little Surprise
Lilly's POV

It’s been two weeks since the fiasco in the temple. Lex and I have put the mating ceremony on hold—for now—until things settle down. The elders weren’t very happy about the decision; their grumbling has become a constant background noise, but for the first time, I don’t care. My priorities have changed.

“You’ll do great,” Zack’s voice chimed in my ear as he kissed Adira on the cheek. She smiled and stepped into the center of the clearing, waiting for the rise of the full moon.

We were all gathered to witness Adira’s descent; after all, it was her and Hendrix’s birthday. The night air was cool, carrying the scent of wildflowers and earth. The clearing pulsed with anticipation—so many faces I loved, all gathered under the same sky.

“Can you believe she’s finally becoming the strongest witch alive?” Zack said excitedly, joining me.

“I’m proud of you two,” I said, squeezing his hand.

“If it wasn’t for you,” he continued, his tone suddenly earnest, “I wouldn’t be alive today to witness this.” He turned to me, his face sincere, eyes shining with gratitude. “You have no idea how grateful I am. I owe you my life.”

There were no words to express how much his friendship meant to me. If he hadn’t found me in the kitchen that day and secretly compared our DNA, I would have never found my loving family or my mate. The memory was bittersweet, heavy with all we’d survived.

“You can repay me by having lots of pups,” I teased. “I want to be an aunt and have a big family.”

Zack laughed, the sound so beautiful it sent goosebumps down my arms, echoing through the trees.

“One day, maybe,” he said dreamily. “But for now, I just want to enjoy my mate in every possible way. Dying puts things in perspective.”

I nodded with a smile. I hadn’t been sure I could save Zack—there was so much blood pouring out of him that even I doubted myself. The fear from that day still clung to the edges of my mind.

A shiver ran down my back as my mind flashed to those last moments.

I was panicking, praying I could bring him back, that someone—anyone—could help me. The blood was far too much, and after the doctor declared him dead, dread and doubt crept into my heart.

Then, the same woman from the temple appeared, a soft smile on her lips. She looked even more beautiful than I remembered.

“You were given this gift to help those in need,” she said. “Don’t doubt yourself. You can do it.”

I remember Lex muttering something, but I ignored him, focusing all my energy on Zack. Tears filled my eyes when he took a breath—like hearing a newborn’s first cry. It was wonderful and powerful. I couldn’t believe I’d managed to save him.

The expression on Lex’s face will stay with me forever—a blend of bewilderment and awe. He couldn’t believe what he’d just seen. Later, I explained what happened to him in the temple, how I’d saved him the same way, and I told him about the woman and her words. Lex told me he was proud of me, and I melted against his chest, feeling at peace for the first time in ages.

In the last few days, things have started falling into place. Adira finally gathered the courage to introduce Zack to her parents—a significant step in their relationship.

Doug was difficult, as expected. He wasn’t thrilled with the idea of his little princess mated to a wolf, but in the end, seeing how Zack treated Adira, Doug quickly warmed up to him.

Hendrix, on the other hand, had his own milestone. The day after the ceremony, he introduced his mate, Danielle, to his parents. They welcomed her into the family with open arms. Doug and Rachel even decided it was time to reveal all the family secrets—stories and truths that had been hidden for generations.

“Where’s Lex?” my father asked as he and my mother came closer to witness Adira’s descent.

“I’m not sure. He said he had to finish up something before coming,” I said with a shrug, unconcerned but secretly scanning the crowd for any sign of him.

Sade was behind bars in an institution for dangerous werewolves. She would never bother us again. For the first time in a long while, I felt safe.

“Look!” Zack exclaimed, excitement clear in his voice.

A white light shone directly down on Adira, as if the moon itself was blessing her. I could feel a shift in the atmosphere; it was as if everything around us had come alive. The leaves trembled, and a hush fell over the clearing. In mere moments, a burst of brilliant light filled the clearing, casting everything into dazzling clarity.

The sight was spectacular.

Adira cried out—I could hear her pain, raw and real.

Zack instinctively stepped forward, but I held him back.

“Don’t!” I said. “She might hurt you. Let the process finish first.”

He whimpered, and the sound tore at my heart.

“I know,” I said softly. “But you know I’m right.”

A moment later, Adira went quiet, sinking to the forest floor, exhausted. The light faded as quickly as it had come, leaving behind a faint shimmer in the air.

Zack turned to me, his eyes pleading. I nodded, giving him the go-ahead.

He left my side so quickly it gave me whiplash.

“Someone’s madly in love!” Lex’s voice chimed behind me, warm and teasing.

“Lex! You’re here!” I exclaimed, running to him, my heart leaping with joy.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said, catching me, picking me up, and spinning me around as if I weighed nothing.

“Where were you?” I asked, breathless and grinning.

His eyes glittered with excitement and something secret. “I have a little surprise for you.”