Chapter 107

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Blackwood estate, painting the marble floors in warm hues. Lillian stretched beneath the silk sheets, her body still humming with the lingering traces of last night’s passion. Beside her, Sebastian slept soundly, his muscular arm draped possessively over her waist.

A soft knock at the door interrupted the peaceful silence.

"Miss Lillian?" Sophia’s voice floated through the wood. "Breakfast is ready. Alpha Blackwood requested you join him in the dining room."

Lillian bit her lip, glancing at Sebastian’s sleeping form. She didn’t want to wake him—he had been working late into the night, dealing with pack disputes. But the mention of his father’s summons sent a prickle of unease down her spine.

"Tell him I’ll be down shortly," she whispered.

Sophia’s footsteps retreated, and Lillian carefully slipped out of bed, padding to the ensuite bathroom. The reflection in the mirror showed a woman with flushed cheeks and tousled hair, her lips slightly swollen from last night’s kisses. She splashed cold water on her face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep—and the growing sense of dread.

Sebastian stirred as she re-entered the bedroom, his golden eyes flickering open. "Where are you going?" His voice was rough with sleep, but his grip on her wrist was firm.

"Your father wants to see me," she admitted.

A shadow passed over his face. "I’ll come with you."

She shook her head. "No. He asked for me."

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he pulled her down for a searing kiss, his fingers tangling in her hair. "Don’t let him intimidate you," he murmured against her lips. "You’re my mate. That means something."

Lillian nodded, though her stomach twisted as she dressed in a simple blouse and slacks. The walk to the dining room felt longer than usual, each step weighed down by unspoken tension.

Alpha Harrison sat at the head of the table, his piercing gaze fixed on her the moment she entered. The spread before him—fresh fruit, pastries, and steaming coffee—remained untouched.

"Lillian," he greeted, his voice cool. "Sit."

She obeyed, folding her hands in her lap to hide their trembling.

"I’ve received word from the Winslow pack," he began, swirling his coffee absently. "Evelyn is pregnant."

The words hit like a physical blow. Lillian’s breath caught, her nails digging into her palms. Donovan’s child.

Harrison studied her reaction with detached interest. "This complicates things. The alliance between our packs was already fragile. Now, with an heir on the way, the Winslows will push for more concessions."

Lillian forced herself to breathe. "What does this have to do with me?"

His lips curled into a humorless smile. "Everything. Because if you don’t produce an heir soon, Sebastian’s position—and yours—will be in jeopardy."

The threat hung in the air, suffocating.

Before she could respond, the doors burst open. Sebastian stood there, his expression thunderous. "Enough."

Harrison arched a brow. "This doesn’t concern you."

"The hell it doesn’t." Sebastian crossed the room in three strides, pulling Lillian to her feet. "She’s not a broodmare. And if you think I’ll let you pressure her like this, you’re mistaken."

The Alpha’s eyes flashed with warning. "You forget your place."

"No," Sebastian growled, his grip tightening on Lillian’s hand. "You forget yours. She’s my mate. And I won’t let anyone—not even you—treat her like a pawn."

The tension crackled between them, a silent battle of wills.

Then, with a sharp exhale, Harrison leaned back. "Fine. But remember this, boy—power is fleeting. And without an heir, yours will crumble."

Sebastian didn’t flinch. "We’ll see about that."

With that, he led Lillian out of the room, his steps purposeful.

Outside, beneath the morning sun, she finally found her voice. "Sebastian—"

He turned, cupping her face. "I meant what I said. No one dictates our future but us."

But as he kissed her, Lillian couldn’t shake the gnawing fear.

Because in their world, power was everything.

And without an heir, theirs was already slipping away.

The crisp morning air carried the scent of pine as Lillian stretched her arms above her head, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet of Sebastian Blackwood's master suite. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting golden stripes across the rumpled silk sheets where they'd spent the night.

A contented sigh escaped her lips as she traced the fading bite marks along her collarbone - Sebastian's claiming marks from their passionate reunion. The memory sent delicious shivers down her spine. After weeks of separation during the pack wars, their mating bond had burned hotter than ever.

"Stop thinking so loud, mate." Sebastian's sleep-roughened voice came from behind her as strong arms circled her waist. His warm breath tickled her neck as he nuzzled the sensitive spot beneath her ear. "I can hear your heartbeat racing from here."

Lillian turned in his embrace, her fingers automatically tangling in his tousled dark hair. "Maybe I'm just plotting how to keep you in bed all day," she teased, nipping at his lower lip.

Before Sebastian could respond, a frantic knock shattered the moment. "Alpha! Urgent message from the northern border!" Marcus Grayson's voice held uncharacteristic tension.

Sebastian growled low in his throat but released Lillian, reaching for his discarded pants. "What now?" he muttered, striding toward the door.

Lillian quickly pulled on one of Sebastian's dress shirts, the fine cotton swallowing her petite frame as she followed. The sight that greeted them in the hallway made her blood run cold.

Marcus stood rigid, his usually impeccable uniform torn and bloodied. Behind him, two wounded warriors leaned against the wall, their faces pale with pain. "Rogues," Marcus spat. "Dozens of them, attacking the perimeter. They're... they're wearing Winslow colors."

Lillian's stomach dropped. The Winslows - Donovan's family - had been suspiciously quiet since their failed attempt to reclaim her. This smelled like retaliation.

Sebastian's eyes flashed gold as his Lycan surged forward. "Gather the warriors. Full lockdown protocol." His gaze snapped to Lillian. "You stay here with Oliver and Victoria."

"But I can help-" Lillian started.

"No." The word carried the full weight of his Alpha command. "Not with..." His eyes dropped meaningfully to her still-flat stomach where their unborn pup grew.

Lillian opened her mouth to argue when a sudden, searing pain lanced through her mating mark. She gasped, clutching her neck as waves of foreign magic crashed over her senses. Across the bond, she felt Sebastian stagger under the same assault.

Then the world exploded.

The mansion shook violently as an enormous fireball erupted from the east wing. Lillian barely had time to register Beatrice's scream before the ceiling collapsed between them, cutting her off from Sebastian completely.

Smoke filled her lungs as she crawled toward where she'd last seen him. "Sebastian!" she screamed, her voice raw with terror. But all she heard in response was the ominous crackle of flames and the distant howls of approaching enemies.

Somewhere in the chaos, a familiar voice slithered through the smoke: "Did you really think you could steal what's mine, mutt?" Donovan's laughter sent ice through her veins. "I always collect my debts."

As the smoke cleared just enough to reveal Donovan's smirking face and the armed warriors at his back, Lillian realized with dawning horror - this wasn't just an attack.

It was a coup.

The intoxicating scent of vanilla and lavender mixed with the raw heat of her arousal filled my senses as I carried Lillian up the stairs. Relief washed over me when I confirmed the rogues hadn’t returned. Outside, a sleek black car idled at the curb, Marcus Grayson leaning casually against the door. The moment his gaze landed on Lillian, his posture stiffened, his nostrils flaring as he caught her scent. His face drained of color.

"Hell, you weren’t kidding," he muttered under his breath.

"Just open the damn door," I growled, striding toward the car. Marcus obeyed without hesitation, swinging the back door open. I settled Lillian onto the leather seat before sliding in beside her, pulling her flush against my side. She curled into me, her arms winding around my torso, her feverish skin radiating heat through my clothes. Her face pressed against my chest, her breath coming in shallow, needy gasps.

"Should we take her to the hospital?" Marcus asked as the engine purred to life, the car pulling away from the abandoned hideout.

"No," I snapped. "Take us to Blackwood Manor."

His eyes flicked to mine in the rearview mirror, hesitation clear in his expression. "Are you sure that’s wise?"

A low, warning rumble vibrated in my chest, and he wisely shut his mouth, focusing on the road. The drive felt endless, Lillian’s restless movements and soft whimpers testing the last shreds of my control. By the time we arrived, she had succumbed to exhaustion, her body limp in my arms. I dismissed Marcus with a curt nod before carrying her inside.

The staff froze as we passed, their eyes wide. Theodore Whitmore, my ever-loyal butler, gaped at us, his wolf stirring at the scent of an unmated she-wolf in heat. A single glare from me had him bowing his head in submission instantly. Even a male consumed by mating instincts knew better than to challenge a Lycan’s claim.

Upstairs, in the sanctuary of my suite, Lillian stirred awake, her body writhing against mine once more.

"It’s so hot…" she whimpered, her lips brushing the sensitive skin of my neck. The contact sent a jolt of electricity down my spine, my restraint fraying dangerously.

I carried her into the bathroom, setting her gently on the marble counter before turning the faucet on, cold water rushing into the tub. Her eyes fluttered open, heavy-lidded with desire, her chest rising and falling rapidly. The flush of heat painted her skin from head to toe, her peaked nipples begging for attention. A possessive growl tore from my throat before I could stop it.

Lillian’s lips curled into a drowsy, knowing smile.

"Sebastian…" she breathed, her fingers curling around my wrist, tugging me closer.

I was losing this battle. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to win.

"You were drugged," I murmured, my fingers tracing the delicate curve of her neck before settling on her shoulders with a gentle but firm grip. "I won't take advantage of you..."

"Please..." Lillian whispered, her teeth sinking into her plush lower lip, drawing my gaze to those swollen, parted lips—an invitation I couldn't resist. "I need you..."

Her teeth grazed my lip, and just like that, my self-control shattered.

I crushed my mouth against hers, claiming what I'd been desperate for. My tongue slid between her lips, exploring with a hunger so fierce it bordered on primal. The wolf inside me raged, wild with need—it was as if I were the one in heat. My body molded against hers, our forms fitting together as though made for each other.

A soft, breathy moan escaped her as she deepened the kiss, her hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer. I lifted her effortlessly, and her legs wrapped around my waist, her heat pressing against me even through the thin fabric of her shorts. The evidence of her desire was unmistakable, slick against my skin as I traced the sensitive skin of her inner thighs.

I sucked her bottom lip between my teeth, nipping lightly until it swelled further beneath my touch. I needed her—now. My lips trailed down her throat, marking every inch of her with possessive bites and lingering kisses.

"Sebastian—" she gasped, her voice trembling as I lowered her slightly, only to capture her lips again.

Then—

A sharp yelp tore from her as the icy spray of the shower drenched her overheated skin.