His Abandoned Luna Chapter 146

|| Lilac’s POV ||

The moment Elias left, I felt a wave of unease wash over me. His invitation for a drive wasn’t just a casual suggestion—it felt calculated, like a move in a game I didn’t fully understand. I needed to talk to someone, to get my thoughts in order. So, I called Elara.

“Hey,” I said as soon as she picked up, my voice low and urgent. “Elias just asked me out for a drive.”

There was a pause on the other end, and then Elara’s voice came through, sharp and alert. “What did you say?”

“I said yes,” I replied, my tone tinged with frustration. “I didn’t have a choice. If I said no, it would’ve raised his suspicions.”

Elara sighed, her voice thoughtful. “Okay, okay. This could actually work in our favor.”

“How?” I asked, my brow furrowing.

“Cozy up to him,” Elara said, her tone firm. “Play along. If he thinks you’re warming up to him, he might let something slip. We need to know his motives, Lilac. This could be our chance.”

I hesitated, the idea of pretending to be close to Elias making my stomach churn. But Elara was right. If I wanted to uncover the truth, I had to play the part. “Okay,” I said finally, my voice steady. “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” Elara said, her tone softening. “Just be careful, okay? Don’t let your guard down.”

“I won’t,” I promised, though the thought of spending time with Elias made my skin crawl.

I spent the next hour getting ready, my mind racing as I picked out an outfit. I needed to look good, to make Elias believe I was genuinely interested in him. I chose a simple but elegant dress, the fabric hugging my curves in all the right places. I added a touch of makeup, just enough to enhance my features without looking overdone. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The woman staring back at me looked confident, radiant—everything I needed to be to pull this off.

By the time Elias arrived, I was ready. He knocked on the door, and I took a deep breath before opening it. He stood there, his smile warm but his eyes sharp, taking in my appearance with obvious approval.

“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge I couldn’t quite place.

“Thanks,” I replied, forcing a smile. “This shirt suits you. You should wear this more often.”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I said, grabbing my bag and following him to his car.

The drive started off quietly, the tension between us palpable. But I knew I had to break the ice, to make Elias believe I was warming up to him. So, I turned to him, my tone light and conversational. “So, how’s everything with the council? Must be busy, huh?”

Elias glanced at me, his expression softening. “Yeah, it’s been hectic. But it’s worth it. I’m finally in a position where I can make a difference.”

“That’s great,” I said, my voice filled with genuine admiration. “I’m proud of you, Elias. You’ve come a long way. And Dad won’t stop talking about you.”

He smiled, his eyes lighting up at my words. “Thanks, Lilac. That means a lot.”

We continued to chat, the conversation flowing more easily than I expected. I asked him about his work, his plans for the future, and even shared a few lighthearted stories about my own life. By the time we reached our destination, Elias looked happier than I’d ever seen him.

He pulled up to a house on the outskirts of the city, the property surrounded by lush greenery and bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. The house itself was beautiful, a modern structure with large windows and a welcoming porch.

“What do you think?” Elias asked, his voice filled with pride.

“It’s… amazing,” I said, my tone filled with genuine awe.

“I bought it recently,” he replied, his smile widening. “I thought… this could be where we start our family.”

His words sent a jolt through me, but I kept my expression surprised, my smile warm. “For me?”

“Yes,” he said, his voice soft but filled with determination. “I told you I wanted to give you the best.”

“But how did you get the money?” I asked, my voice tinged with worry.

“Are you worried about me?” he chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Of course I am. You’re my mate,” I replied, my tone gentle but firm.

“I had some savings,” he said, his smile reassuring as he cupped my face. “And I’ve been careful with my investments. This is for us, Lilac. For our future.”

I moved my eyes back to the house, my heart pounding in my chest. “Thank you. I love it.”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with hope. “Really?”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice soft. “It’s perfect, for us and our pups.”

But deep down, I was conflicted. The way Elias looked at me, the way he spoke about our future—it felt genuine. Was he really pretending? Or was there more to him than I thought? I couldn’t let myself be swayed, not when so much was at stake. But for now, I had to play the part.

We stepped inside the house, the interior just as stunning as the exterior. The open floor plan was bathed in natural light, the furniture modern but cozy. Elias led me through the rooms, his voice filled with excitement as he pointed out the features.

“This will be the nursery,” he said, gesturing to a room with large windows and soft, neutral tones. “And this,” he added, leading me to a spacious kitchen, “is where we’ll cook meals together.”

I forced a smile, my heart aching with the weight of his words. “It’s perfect, Elias. You’ve thought of everything.”

He turned to me, his expression softening. “I want this to be our home, Lilac. A place where we can build a life together.”

I nodded, only if it were for real. I spoke with choked voice, “It’s beautiful. I can see us here.”

But as I looked around, my mind raced with questions. How could Elias afford this? Was he really as genuine as he seemed? Or was this all part of some elaborate plan? I couldn’t let my guard down, not even for a moment.

We settled on the porch, the cool evening air wrapping around us as we sat side by side. Elias reached for my hand, his touch warm but sending a shiver down my spine.

“Lilac,” he said, his voice soft but filled with emotion. “I know things haven’t been easy between us. But I want you to know that I’m here for you. For us.”

I forced a smile, my heart pounding in my chest. “I know, Elias. And I’m sorry. I was scared before but now... I want to give us a chance.”

He leaned in, his lips brushing against my temple, my mind screaming at me to pull away, but I couldn’t. Not yet.

I sat there, my hand in his, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was walking a tightrope, one wrong step away from falling into the abyss.