Chapter 106

The crisp morning air carried the scent of pine as Lillian stepped onto the balcony of Sebastian Blackwood’s sprawling estate. The sun had barely risen, casting a golden hue over the dense forest that bordered the property. She tightened the silk robe around her, the fabric whispering against her skin.

Inside, the mansion was already stirring to life. The clinking of silverware echoed from the dining room, where Oliver was undoubtedly piling his plate high with pancakes. The sound of Victoria’s laughter drifted down the hallway, mingling with the low murmur of Theodore Whitmore giving instructions to the staff.

Lillian’s fingers curled around the railing. Last night’s confrontation with Donovan still burned in her mind—his cold dismissal, the way Evelyn had clung to his arm, smirking as if she’d already won. The memory made her stomach twist.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

“Lillian?” Beatrice’s voice was hesitant. “You’ve been out here for ages. Are you okay?”

Lillian forced a smile. “Just needed some air.”

Beatrice stepped onto the balcony, her brow furrowed. “Don’t lie to me. I know you’re thinking about him.”

Lillian exhaled sharply. “It’s not just Donovan. It’s everything. The pack politics, the way people look at me like I’m some kind of interloper—”

“You’re not,” Beatrice cut in, gripping her hand. “Sebastian chose you. That means something.”

Lillian bit her lip. Did it? Sebastian had been distant lately, buried in meetings with rival Alphas and business deals. She barely saw him outside of formal dinners.

A sudden rustling in the trees below caught her attention. A shadow moved—too quick, too deliberate to be an animal.

Lillian’s pulse spiked. “Did you see that?”

Beatrice frowned. “See what?”

Before Lillian could respond, a sharp crack split the air. A bullet whizzed past, embedding itself in the wooden railing inches from her hand.

Beatrice screamed.

Lillian’s wolf surged forward, her vision sharpening. Another shot rang out, this time shattering the glass door behind them.

“Get down!” Lillian yanked Beatrice to the ground as more gunfire erupted.

The door burst open. Sebastian stormed onto the balcony, his eyes blazing gold. “Lillian!”

She barely had time to register his presence before he was hauling her up, shielding her with his body. Marcus Grayson and Julian Mercer charged outside, weapons drawn.

“Alpha, we’ve got hostiles in the east tree line!” Marcus barked.

Sebastian’s grip on Lillian tightened. “Get her inside. Now.”

As Julian dragged her away, Lillian caught a glimpse of the attackers—figures in black, their faces obscured. But one stood taller than the rest, his stance eerily familiar.

Her breath hitched.

Donovan.

The realization struck like a physical blow. He hadn’t just rejected her.

He wanted her dead.

My instincts overrode rational thought—my body moved before my mind could process. Every fiber of my being pulled me toward Lillian with undeniable urgency. I tore through the mansion, my feet pounding against the hardwood floors as I descended into the basement. Her scent hit me like a tidal wave, thick and intoxicating, making my wolf claw at my insides with primal need.

And then I saw her.

Lillian was curled on the cold concrete floor of the cage, her body writhing in distress. Her clothes were shredded, barely clinging to her frame, but thankfully, she was still untouched. Her cheeks burned crimson, her lips parted in ragged breaths. She rolled onto her back, thighs pressing together as a whimper escaped her swollen lips. The scent of her arousal was overwhelming, saturating the air, and my wolf nearly lost control.

If any unmated male caught even a hint of her heat—

I stepped into the cage, my muscles taut with restraint. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing pupils blown wide with lust. She didn’t recognize me—not truly. All she knew was that I was male, and I could give her what her body was screaming for.

"Please..." Her voice was raw, desperate. She reached for me, fingers trembling. "I can't—I need—"

Her hips arched off the ground, and the dampness glistening between her thighs sent a violent growl rumbling through my chest. She clawed at her ruined shirt, tearing it further, exposing the flushed peaks of her breasts. My control frayed.

Marcus. I mindlinked my Beta, my voice a barely restrained snarl. Get the car ready. Now. And clear every unmated Gamma from the premises.

"What happened?" Marcus demanded.

My gaze never left Lillian as she whimpered, her fingers dragging down her own stomach. "She's in heat."

A sharp curse. "I'll handle it."

Marcus was mated—thank the gods—but the others? They’d turn into ravenous beasts the second they scented her. I couldn’t risk it.

"They're gone," Marcus confirmed moments later. "The mated warriors stayed behind to secure the area. The rest are returning to the packhouse."

Good.

Now I just had to get Lillian out of here before I lost the last shred of my restraint.

"Alright, we're on our way," I said before cutting the link and turning my attention back to Lillian, who was clutching at my ankle. Completely bare, having shifted here in my wolf form—nudity wasn’t exactly taboo among shifters, but my arousal was unmistakable, and I hated how easily she could see it.

Her gaze was hazy, locked onto my hardened length, her tongue darting out to wet her lips as if she were staring at the most delicious thing she’d ever seen.

Touching her was going to be agony, but I had to get her to safety.

"Lillian," I murmured, bending to scoop her into my arms. Her skin burned against mine, searing me with a heat I’d never felt before. She wound her arms around my neck, pressing her bare chest flush against me, a breathy moan escaping her lips.

"I need you..." she whispered against my ear, her voice laced with desperation, sending a wave of fire straight through me.

"You’re drugged," I told her firmly, though my control was fraying. "I won’t take advantage of you, Lillian."

"Please..." she whimpered, writhing against me, her need growing more urgent. I could feel the slick heat between her thighs against my arm as I held her bridal-style, and it was torture—for both me and my wolf. The beast inside me snarled, demanding I claim her right here, right now, but I clenched my jaw and held him back with everything I had.

"Sebastian..."

Hearing my name on her lips made my heart stutter.

So, she knew it was me holding her? I wasn’t sure why that sent a rush of satisfaction through me. It shouldn’t have mattered. She was just Oliver’s tutor—nothing more. And yet, a faint smirk tugged at my lips as I pulled her tighter against me, her body molding perfectly to mine. She buried her face in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply, as if she wanted to drown in my scent.