Chapter 105

The morning sun cast golden rays through the sheer curtains of Lillian's bedroom, stirring her awake. She stretched languidly, her muscles still sore from last night’s training session with Marcus. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted up from the kitchen, signaling that Sebastian was already awake.

Downstairs, the mansion buzzed with quiet activity. Giselle, the head maid, directed the staff with practiced efficiency, while Lucien, the flirtatious head chef, hummed a French tune as he prepared breakfast. Oliver sat at the dining table, swinging his legs as he scribbled in his notebook—some elaborate plan for a school project, no doubt.

Lillian padded into the kitchen, her bare feet silent against the marble floor. Sebastian stood by the counter, his broad shoulders tense as he scrolled through messages on his phone. The moment he sensed her presence, his gaze lifted, and the tension in his jaw eased.

"Morning," he murmured, his voice still rough with sleep.

"Morning," she echoed, reaching for the coffee pot.

Before she could pour herself a cup, Sebastian intercepted, his fingers brushing against hers as he took the pot from her hands. "Let me."

The simple gesture sent warmth curling through her chest. She watched as he filled her cup, his movements precise, deliberate.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, his eyes flickering over her face.

"Better than expected," she admitted.

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by Oliver's excited chatter about his latest adventure with Victoria. Lillian smiled into her coffee, savoring the domesticity of the moment.

But the peace was short-lived.

Theodore, Sebastian’s butler, entered the kitchen with a grim expression. "Sir, we’ve received word from the northern border. There’s been another breach."

Sebastian’s grip tightened around his cup. "How many this time?"

"Three. All from the Darkmoon pack."

Lillian’s stomach twisted. The Darkmoon pack—led by Alpha Maximilian—had been testing their borders for weeks, growing bolder with each incursion.

Sebastian set his coffee down with deliberate calm. "Call Marcus. We’ll need to reinforce the patrols."

Theodore nodded and retreated, leaving behind a heavy silence.

Oliver, sensing the shift in mood, looked up from his notebook. "Dad?"

Sebastian forced a smile. "Nothing to worry about, son. Just pack business."

But Lillian knew better.

She met Sebastian’s gaze, and in that moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them. The fragile peace they’d been clinging to was unraveling.

And war was coming.

The moment I burst through the clearing and rejoined my Gammas and Marcus, my entire body locked up at the sight before me. Donovan stood there, completely bare, cradling an unconscious Victoria in his arms as he sprinted from the derelict house.

His steps faltered when he spotted us, our collective glares pinning him in place. My wolf snarled viciously, the primal rage in my chest coiling tight. Something about this scene was wrong—deeply wrong.

"I—I found her," Donovan panted, shifting Victoria slightly in his grip. His voice was strained. "She was drugged. Wolfbane, I think. And she’s been hurt." My gaze snapped to my daughter’s face, the bruises darkening her pale skin sending a fresh wave of fury through me. The steady thrum of her heartbeat reached my Lycan hearing, and relief warred with suspicion.

How the hell had Donovan gotten here before us? Had he known where she was? Was he involved? My wolf’s growl deepened, a warning vibrating in my chest. I wouldn’t let him take another step.

"Rogues incoming, Alpha," Marcus’ voice cut through the mindlink.

Sure enough, a pack of snarling rogues broke through the tree line, their yellowed fangs bared. But the moment their eyes landed on me, their bravado shattered. Even the most desperate rogue wasn’t suicidal enough to challenge a Lycan—let alone a Chairman.

A single, thunderous growl ripped from my throat, and they scattered like leaves in a storm, vanishing back into the woods. I jerked my chin at my men, and most of them gave chase, leaving Marcus and a handful of Gammas with me.

All of us kept our focus locked on Donovan.

Marcus shifted first, his voice sharp. "Explain. Now."

Donovan swallowed hard. "She wasn’t answering my calls. I overheard you mention her location and came straight here. When I found her, rogues were attacking her. I got her out, but one escaped."

"You let one get away?" Marcus’ eyes narrowed.

"I had to get Victoria to safety," Donovan snapped, his grip tightening around her. "More were coming. I couldn’t risk her."

Marcus glanced back at me, silently gauging my reaction. I studied Donovan for a long moment, then my daughter’s limp form in his arms.

With a sharp exhale, I relented—for now.

But this wasn’t over.

"Get her out of here," I commanded, my voice sharp with urgency. "Take one of the SUVs. My gammas will escort you to the pack hospital under the guise of an emergency."

"Yes, Alpha," Donovan responded immediately, his movements swift as he rushed toward the nearest vehicle.

But then—another scent.

Rich, intoxicating, and utterly distracting. My wolf surged forward, my instincts snapping to attention. A low, involuntary growl rumbled in my chest before I could suppress it.

"Wait," I barked, halting Donovan mid-step. "Is there someone else here?"

He froze, his expression tightening before he muttered a curse under his breath.

"Yes," he admitted reluctantly. "Lillian."

The name sent a jolt through me. My jaw clenched, my wolf bristling beneath my skin.

Lillian.

Of course it was her.

And now, she was about to become a complication I couldn’t afford.