Silas' P.O.V
As I sat before Ezra, my heart heavy with the weight of the truth, I couldn't bear to see the doubt in his eyes.
His question had pierced through the armor of anger and resentment that I had worn since Lily's passing, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed.
"I never needed to move on from Lily," I finally answered, my voice laced with sorrow. "I loved her before and after she turned out to be your mate. That love changed, yes, but it didn't diminish. It became a more profound bond, a brotherly love that I knew would endure for eternity."
Memories of the times we spent together, laughing and sharing secrets, rush through my mind like a torrent.
Lily had been my closest friend, my partner in crime and my confidante before she became Ezra’s mate and nothing could change that.
Even when I realized she was destined to be with Ezra, I didn't let envy cloud our friendship. I was severely hurt, yes, but my love for her was greater than my pain.
Instead, I embraced the love that remained, cherishing the bond we shared.
"Believe me when I say that I would've done anything to keep her safe," I continued, my voice trembling with emotion. "I would've given my life without hesitation to protect her from harm. But I could never even think about harming her myself, let alone take her life."
I met Ezra's gaze, desperate for him to see the truth in my eyes. I understood his anger and suspicion, for Lily's death remained a painful mystery for us all.
But I knew in my heart that I could never be responsible for such a heinous act.
"I loved her like a sister, a friend, and I always will," I said, my voice softer now, laced with the sincerity of my words. "You have to believe me, Ezra. I could never harm Lily. I would've given anything to have her back with us."
Silence hung heavy in the air, and I could feel the tension between us. My heart ached, torn between my loyalty to Lily's memory and my desire to protect our pride.
But I knew that the truth must be known, no matter the cost.
I sat there, waiting for Ezra's response, hoping that he would find it in his heart to understand and trust me once again.
As I swore upon the moon goddess and every sacred thing in our world, desperation and anguish twisted my features.
I could feel the weight of Ezra's suspicion crushing my spirit. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my emotions in check.
"Ezra, I didn't kill Lily," I repeated, my voice tinged with raw emotion. "When I found her, she was already lying there, lifeless, in a pool of her own blood. There was a dagger in her stomach, and I pulled it out, hoping against hope that I could still save her."
The memory flashed before my eyes like a haunting nightmare — the sight of Lily, so vibrant and full of life just moments before, now pale and lifeless on the ground.
My heart constricted with pain as I remembered the desperation that consumed me in that moment.
I had failed to protect her, and the guilt has haunted me ever since.
"I would never hurt her, I swear on the fucking Moon goddess," I continued, my voice shaking with sincerity. "But in the end…whatever I did wasn’t enough. We lost her. She was already gone by the time I found her…”
My eyes searched Ezra's face for any sign of understanding, hoping that he will see the truth in my words.
The bond we shared as pack members, as brothers, ran deep, and in this moment, I forgot all the anger I had felt for him just moments prior, forgot my pride and my pain, and longed for him to trust me once again, just as I once trusted him with my life.
"I swear, on everything I hold dear, that I am innocent," I finally declared, my voice unwavering. "And if you are indeed as innocent as you claim, then I will do whatever it takes to help you find the truth, Ezra. Just please, believe me."
Silence lingered between us as Ezra processed my words. His expression was a mix of emotions — doubt, pain, and a glimmer of understanding.
I knew that trust was a delicate thing. After all, I, too, had little of that for him. So, honestly, I couldn't blame him for his hesitance to believe me.
If Gustav and Emiel weren't here to vouch for him, I wouldn't have believed him either. Of course, I was well aware that they could lie on his stead to cover for him, but I knew that they wouldn't do that to Lily. They would never lie to protect her murderer. That was how much the people in the pack loved and cherished her.
I realized now that running was a mistake. I should've stayed and faced the truth with the rest of the pack, no matter how difficult it might have been.
Maybe then all of this would have been avoided.
But then again, perhaps they would not have been as calm then as they were now, and that would have been the end of me.
So maybe in the end it was for the better that it took us this long to resolve the misunderstandings between us. But perhaps my mistake was that I let it go on for too long.
Ezra remained silent, seeming to take everything in. His eyes were stormy. His usually composed demeanor faltered, and his brows furrowed as he tried to make sense of the revelation I had just shared.
I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, searching for any sign that might validate or challenge my words. I stared right back at him.