Chapter 207

Alpha In You!

Arabella Toussaint:

For some reason, my palms had started sweating by the time I entered the café. I spotted Lilith sitting at a table in the far corner, looking straight ahead, with no interest in the people around her.

I made my way toward her, suddenly unsure of what I was supposed to say. It had been three years since I’d last seen her, and whenever I thought of Lilith, I remembered her smiling face and the warmth with which she’d always treated me.

But the woman sitting there was nothing like the Lilith I remembered.

She looked up as I approached, her expression cold and unreadable. There was no smile, no greeting, not even the slightest sign that she was pleased to see me. She acknowledged my presence with a brief glance before looking away again.

I stopped beside the empty chair, feeling uncomfortable. “Lilith…” I began, but I had no idea what to say next.

Apparently, I was going to have to do all the talking. She had no intention of helping me through this awkward reunion.

Instead of taking the chair opposite her, I did something I hadn’t expected myself to do. I walked around the table and knelt beside her chair.

She looked startled for a moment, but quickly composed herself.

“Lilith…” I reached for her hand, only for her to pull it away.

“Lucien told me you wanted to meet me, Arabella. What is it?” she asked, adjusting the strap of her purse. “Please make it quick. I have other things to take care of.”

I lowered my hand. Three years ago, she would have been the first person to welcome me with open arms. Now she couldn’t even bear my touch. It hurt, but I had no right to complain.

I closed my eyes briefly before letting out a small, humorless laugh. “You know, Lilith, I never had a mother. There was no one to teach me how to deal with people or make the right decisions. I learned everything the hard way, and sometimes…” My voice faltered. “Sometimes I made terrible mistakes.”

She continued fiddling with her purse, giving no indication that she wanted to hear any of it.

“I know what I did was wrong. I’m not trying to justify it. But I swear, Lilith, I never intended to hurt Lucien.” A tear rolled down my cheek. “And if you think I deserve punishment, I’ll accept it. Whatever you decide.”

“I can’t punish you, Arabella,” she replied curtly. “You committed a crime against Lucien, and if he’s not willing to hold you accountable, who am I to interfere?” She finally turned toward me. “He’s more than a son to me, Arabella. Do you understand that? And you tried to poison him!”

“No, Lilith. It wasn’t supposed to be poison. Jasmine told me it would make him faint for a little while. I believed her.” I shook my head. “I know I should have questioned her, but I had no reason to think she was lying.”

Lilith closed her eyes for a moment before turning away again.

“Just one chance,” I whispered. “That’s all I’m asking.” I waited, but when she didn’t respond, I continued.

“Honestly, I never wanted to come back. I thought I’d left all of this behind. But now that I’m here, I want to make things right, and I need your help, Lilith.”

That made her glance at me.

I nodded at her. “I’m starting with Blackthorn Pack. Once I’ve dealt with the people responsible for what happened here, I’ll return to the palace.”

I shifted slightly, my knees beginning to ache against the floor, but I wasn’t ready to get up.

“Lucien has responsibilities as King. His hands are tied in ways mine aren’t, and I don’t want him risking his position because of me. But I’m done letting people get away with what they’ve done.”

I looked up at her. “Those who hurt my mother, those who betrayed Lucien, those who used me against him… I’m not going to spare any of them. Not this time.”

Lilith closed her eyes for a moment, then gestured toward the chair opposite her. “Sit there, Arabella.” Her voice was less stern this time, but I stubbornly shook my head.

“Not until you forgive me. Remember how I used to kneel when I first arrived at the palace? Well, I can do it again!” I declared, refusing to budge.

At that, the corner of her mouth twitched a little as she tried to fight back the smile that threatened to spread across her lips.

***

“What? You want wolfsbane?” Lilith practically shouted, drawing a few curious looks from the nearby tables.

I gritted my teeth and motioned for her to lower her voice. “For Goddess sake, Lilith, please! Could you say that any louder?”

She glanced around before leaning closer. “You’re asking me to get you wolfsbane, Arabella,” she whispered fiercely. “Do you have any idea how serious that is? It’s illegal, and it’s not something you can just walk into a shop and buy.”

“Oh, it’s available, all right,” I replied, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice. Someone managed to get their hands on enough of it to keep giving it to me for eighteen years, didn’t they?”

Lilith fell quiet at that, and I took the chance to continue. “And there’s something else I need from you.” I leaned closer and whispered the words into her ear.

Lilith immediately pulled back, looking horrified. “Excuse me? Arabella, you can’t possibly be serious. No!”

“Yes, Lilith. I’m serious.” I held her gaze, refusing to back down. “I need it, and you’re the only person who can get it for me.”

Lilith shook her head, still struggling to believe what I’d asked of her. “Arabella, wolfsbane might be possible, but this? What you’re asking for is practically impossible.”

I reached across the table and held her hand. “Nothing is impossible, Lilith. Not if you put your mind to it. And I know you can do this.”

She frowned at me, then leaned back in her chair, studying me for a moment. A slow smile spread across her face. “Goodness, you’ve changed, Arabella.” She let out a small laugh. “What happened to that girl who was perfectly happy being a slave three years ago?”

I raised an eyebrow. “And what do you see now?”

“Girl! To be very frank…” Her smile widened. “I see an Alpha in you.”