Chapter 112

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian stepped onto the cobblestone path leading to the Blackwood estate. Her heart pounded against her ribs, a mix of anticipation and unease coiling in her stomach. Today was the day she would finally confront Donovan—her former fated mate—and the woman he had chosen over her, Evelyn.

Sebastian Blackwood stood at the grand entrance, his broad shoulders framed by the towering oak doors. His piercing gaze softened as he caught sight of her, a silent reassurance that steadied her nerves. "You're not alone in this," he murmured, his deep voice laced with quiet authority.

Lillian nodded, gripping the strap of her satchel tighter. "I know."

Inside, the opulent foyer buzzed with tension. Evelyn perched on the edge of a velvet chaise, her fingers twisting the delicate lace of her dress. Donovan stood beside her, his jaw clenched, eyes darting between Lillian and Sebastian.

"You shouldn't have come," Donovan snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.

Lillian lifted her chin. "I have every right to be here."

Evelyn's lips curled into a smirk. "Still clinging to the past, I see."

Before Lillian could retort, Beatrice burst into the room, her cheeks flushed. "Lillian! You won't believe what I just heard—" She stopped short, taking in the scene. "Oh. Bad timing?"

Sebastian exhaled through his nose, his patience thinning. "Out with it, Beatrice."

Beatrice hesitated, then blurted, "Victoria's engagement to Donovan is off. She just announced it at the council meeting."

Silence.

Lillian's breath hitched. Donovan's face drained of color. "What?"

Sebastian's expression darkened. "Explain."

Beatrice fidgeted. "She said she won't marry someone who still pines for his ex." Her gaze flicked to Lillian. "And she may have implied that Donovan isn't fit to lead a pack."

Evelyn shot to her feet. "That little—"

Sebastian raised a hand, cutting her off. "Enough." His voice was steel. "Donovan, you will answer for this."

Lillian's pulse raced. The game had just changed.

And she wasn't sure if she was ready for what came next.

The door slammed shut without a word, without even a backward glance. Just like that, I was left alone with the weight of my thoughts.

Sebastian’s POV

I couldn’t focus today. Not on work, not on anything. My mind kept drifting back to Lillian—the way she had moaned my name last night, the way her body had responded to mine. The memory alone was enough to make my control slip. I’d spent most of the day seated at my desk, unwilling to let anyone see the evidence of my relentless arousal.

When she’d insisted on keeping things professional between us, I knew she was right. This couldn’t continue. But the thought of never touching her again? It didn’t sit well with me—or with my wolf. The beast had been restless all day, growling and clawing at me to go back, to claim her again. I shut him down every time, but it didn’t make the craving any easier to ignore.

This morning, when I stepped out of the bathroom, she was already gone. A part of me was relieved. If she had still been there, in my space, smelling like desire and sleep-warmed skin, I wasn’t sure I could have stopped myself from taking her again. But her scent lingered on my sheets, intoxicating and impossible to ignore. I considered sleeping in another room until it faded—but even the idea of that felt like a surrender I wasn’t ready to make.

Marcus, my Beta, had pestered me all day with knowing smirks. “So,” he’d drawled, leaning against my desk, “anything interesting happen after I dropped you two off last night?”

I shot him a warning glare. He knew. Of course he knew. But I wasn’t about to indulge his nosiness. What happened between Lillian and me was no one’s business but ours.

“You’re distracted,” Marcus remarked, pulling me from my thoughts. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain unmated she-wolf, would it? Maybe the one tutoring your son?”

A low growl rumbled in my chest, and he wisely shut his mouth. He was my oldest friend, but even he knew better than to push me too far.

Swallowing hard, Marcus turned away. “Message received,” he muttered.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I decided to call it a day. I rarely left the office this early, but tonight, I was eager to get back to the villa. Glancing at the clock, I noted that Lillian’s tutoring session with Oliver would be ending soon. I wasn’t sure why that mattered—but it did. And suddenly, I was in a hurry.

After a quick farewell to Marcus and the rest of the staff, I strode out to where Frederick, my driver, waited. The moment the car pulled up to the villa, her scent hit me—stronger than usual, richer, as if last night had somehow intensified it. I inhaled deeply, my pulse quickening.

Inside, I found her standing near the entrance, speaking softly to Oliver. Victoria descended the stairs with Nathaniel trailing behind her.

Nathaniel.

How could I have forgotten about Nathaniel? Lillian's eyes widened when she noticed him, and I wondered if she had forgotten about him too. He didn't seem to catch her startled reaction, though, as he rushed forward to embrace her. A low, involuntary growl rumbled in my chest—one I didn’t even realize I was capable of making. I stepped back, forcing myself to regain control before I did something reckless.

Nathaniel murmured something to her that I couldn’t hear, and Lillian let out a soft, breathy laugh in response.

"I'll see you all tomorrow," she said, waving at Victoria and Oliver before turning to leave.

Her gaze flickered to mine, and for a heartbeat, the world narrowed to just the two of us. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but no words came. Instead, a delicate flush spread across her cheeks, painting them the softest shade of pink. Then, with a quick, almost shy nod, she hurried out of the villa.

"Dinner will be served shortly," one of the maids announced from the kitchen doorway.

"Oh, good. I'm starving," Victoria said.

She and Oliver headed toward the dining room, but Nathaniel lingered behind. I had no intention of speaking to him—not when every instinct in me screamed to keep my distance before I lost control. But as I moved past him, his hand shot out, gripping my arm.

"Uncle Sebastian," he said, his voice low. "I heard about what happened last night."

My entire body tensed. Did he know? Had he heard us? Or worse—had Lillian told him? Denial was my only option.

"I'm not sure what you're referring to—"

"You saved Lillian's life," he finished, cutting me off. The breath I hadn’t realized I was holding rushed out. He was talking about the attack, not… the other thing.

"It was nothing," I muttered, eager to end this conversation.

"It was everything, Uncle," Nathaniel insisted, his voice thick with gratitude. "I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her. Thank you."

"I didn’t do it for you," I snapped, my canines lengthening before I could stop them.

He released my arm instantly, taking a cautious step back.

"No, I know that," he said quickly. "I’m just… relieved you were there. I really care about her, and I think I’m going to ask her to be my girlfriend. Do you think she’d say yes?"

The question hit like a blade to the ribs.