Lilith’s POV
Without thinking, I reached out my hand and intertwined my fingers with Adams’. The warmth of his hand felt comforting, and it sparked a gentle sensation inside me almost like a small fire.
I began to softly rub his palm while hoping to calm him down and ease the chaotic feelings that were hidden just beneath the surface of his troubled expression.
“Adams please,” I said, with my voice very soft and quiet just above a whisper.
“Can you give her a chance to explain what happened?” It was really important-absolutely vital -that he recognized how crucial it is to understand, and to forgive others, even when it feels like trust has been completely broken and shattered.
I sat there and observed him closely as I noticed that his breathing started to become more even and calm. The tightness in his shoulders began to relax just a little bit when he finally looked into my eyes.
I really tried to express all of my reassurance through my gaze, hoping he could sense just how much I believed in giving people second chances. It felt like an eternity passed before he finally let down his guard a bit.
When he spoke his voice was softer, but there was still a hint of caution in it.
“Alright, I’ll agree to this,” he said, “but you should understand that once trust is broken it takes a long time to repair.” His words lingered in the air between us, showing how much he struggled with opening up and being vulnerable.
Dale gave a small nod. Her face looked open and exposed, showing her feelings clearly. I noticed that tears were shining in her eyes and I could feel how heavy her regret was, almost like a physical weight.
“I understand what I have done and the consequences that I will face because of it. I’ve already come to terms with that,” she said.
Her voice was shaky, but there was also a sense of strength beneath the surface. It was as if she was determined and committed to making things right and fixing the mistakes she had made in the past.
Adams, being a very strong and dependable protector, took a moment to take a deep breath so he could steady himself and gather his thoughts. When he spoke his voice was calm and thoughtful as he recognized Dale’s courage.
He said, “Well, you have really shown how brave you can be on the battlefield, Dale. You fought very bravely during the Battle of Thornvale. Before that, I had already made you a knight for your bravery and I also decided to make you Lilith’s personal guard. So I guess it’s not just an error.”
As he spoke, I noticed that his tone changed and became softer towards her, which made me feel a wave of relief wash over me.
A tiny smile began to spread across Dale’s face while brightening up the lingering sadness that had been present on her face for quite some time.
It was clear to see how relieved she felt and at that moment my heart filled with joy just by witnessing this change in her expression. Moments like this are truly special and hard to come by.
Ronan gave Dale a friendly pat on the back. His laughter rang out in the air while creating a feeling similar to a comforting hug.
“You really had us all worried there,” he said with a chuckle, a big smile spreading across his face. “But I am certain we will find and deal with those behind the ordeal of your loved ones and community!”
“Certainly, I will see to that,” Adams said in agreement with Ronan. Everyone else nodded, and I could see smiles sprouting on Dale’s face.
Laughter suddenly broke out all around us, filling the air and making the tense and heavy feeling disappear, as Ronan was heard saying, “I am glad to know that my mate is actually a woman.” I smiled widely just like my friends were doing, and I really enjoyed being with them.
It felt great to be together and share this happiness. It was a comforting reminder that even though there were dark and difficult things happening in the world outside, we could still find joy and happiness in the strong friendship we had with each other.
Once the last traces of breakfast were cleared from the table, Adams changed his focus to his usual sensible approach. He called for a large map to be taken out and spread across the table for everyone to see.
I noticed the determined look in his eyes as the other men gathered around him, leaning in closer to get a better view. Ronan started to mark certain spots on the map where rogue individuals had been seen recently.
The atmosphere changed again, and we all began to concentrate on issues that were more urgent and needed our attention right away.
“Right here close to the southern border,” Ronan said, as he pointed to the map in front of us. He moved his finger slowly and deliberately over the surface of the map, drawing attention to important locations that required extra attention and reinforcement.
“It’s really important that we make our patrols more frequent and thorough in this specific area,” he continued. His voice became more serious as he spoke, and I could feel a strong sense of determination building up within me as I listened to him.
As I leaned closer to the discussion we were having, I took a moment to look over the locations that had been marked on the maps. Something deep inside me told me that I had to pay close attention.
I quietly said with a voice that felt heavy with urgency, “I can feel that Augustus is out there, getting ready for something serious like preparing himself for a great battle. We cannot afford to underestimate him or think that he is not a threat.”
The atmosphere around us felt serious while making it clear that now was not the time to be lenient or take things lightly. We needed to focus and be prepared for the storm that was building up just beyond our walls.
As we started to explore our strategies and defenses in more detail, Raoul shared his valuable thoughts and observations about our most recent experience with the rogues, giving us insights into what happened.
At the same time, Bartholomew was busy creating a carefully considered plan for how we could keep watch and gather information without getting caught. Each of the plans we talked about was shaped by a clear understanding that there was a serious conflict developing just beyond the safety of our protective walls.
We knew that it was important to stay aware of what was happening outside while we planned our next steps.
In the middle of our important planning session, Bartholomew suddenly interrupted the quiet atmosphere with a playful tone that caught our attention.
He said, “There’s something else we need to think about.” His voice was light, but there was also a serious undertone to it, almost like he was sharing a secret. “It’s something that we need to do to ensure our victory against the rogue king,” he said.
“What is that?” Both I and Adams chorused at the same time.
“First, handle the packs supporting Augustus,” he replied…