Chapter 113

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian stepped onto the campus quad. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her backpack, her mind still reeling from the confrontation with Donovan the night before. The memory of his cold dismissal sent a sharp pang through her chest, but she refused to let it show.

Beatrice, ever observant, nudged her shoulder. "You okay? You look like you’ve been wrestling with a ghost."

Lillian forced a smile. "Just tired. Late-night study session."

Beatrice arched a brow but didn’t press further. "Well, snap out of it. Professor Sinclair’s class starts in five, and you know how he gets about tardiness."

Lillian groaned. The last thing she needed was another strike from the notoriously strict professor.

As they hurried toward the lecture hall, a familiar figure leaned against the doorway—Nathaniel, his dark eyes tracking her with quiet intensity. He pushed off the wall as she approached, a smirk playing on his lips. "Running late, Lillian?"

She ignored the flutter in her stomach. "Not if I make it in the next thirty seconds."

Nathaniel chuckled, falling into step beside her. "I’ll walk you in. Wouldn’t want you getting another lecture."

Beatrice shot her a knowing look before slipping inside. Lillian exhaled, steeling herself. "You don’t have to—"

"Actually, I do." His voice dropped, low and serious. "Donovan was at the bar last night. With Evelyn."

Lillian’s breath hitched. She had known, of course, but hearing it confirmed still stung. "Not my problem anymore."

Nathaniel studied her, his expression unreadable. "If you say so."

Before she could respond, the classroom door swung open, revealing Professor Sinclair’s stern face. "Miss Whitaker, Mr. Whitlock. Are you joining us, or should I mark you absent?"

Lillian ducked inside without another word, but Nathaniel’s presence lingered like a shadow at her back.

The lecture passed in a blur. Lillian barely registered the words on the board, her thoughts spiraling. Donovan’s betrayal, Evelyn’s smug smile, and now Nathaniel’s sudden interest—it was all too much.

When the bell finally rang, Beatrice grabbed her arm. "Spill. What did Nathaniel say?"

Lillian hesitated. "Nothing important."

Beatrice scoffed. "Yeah, and I’m the Queen of England."

Lillian opened her mouth to protest when her phone buzzed. A message from Sebastian Blackwood lit up the screen:

"Pack meeting. My office. Now."

Her stomach twisted. Whatever this was, it couldn’t be good.

Beatrice frowned. "Trouble?"

Lillian pocketed her phone. "Always."

Sebastian’s office was eerily quiet when she arrived. The Lycan chairman sat behind his desk, his piercing gaze locked onto her the moment she stepped inside. Marcus Grayson stood at his side, arms crossed.

"You’re late," Sebastian said coolly.

Lillian swallowed. "I came as soon as I got your message."

Sebastian leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Donovan’s been spreading rumors. About you. About us."

Her blood ran cold. "What kind of rumors?"

Marcus exchanged a glance with Sebastian before answering. "That you’re using the chairman’s influence to manipulate the pack. That your rejection of Donovan was staged."

Lillian’s nails dug into her palms. "That’s ridiculous."

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "I know. But rumors have a way of spreading. Especially when they’re fueled by spite."

A knock at the door interrupted them. Theodore Whitmore entered, his expression grim. "Sir, Alpha Harrison is here. He’s demanding an audience."

Sebastian’s eyes darkened. "Of course he is."

Lillian’s pulse spiked. Alpha Harrison had tried to take advantage of her once before. What did he want now?

Sebastian stood, his voice cutting through the tension. "Stay here. Both of you."

As he strode out, Marcus turned to Lillian. "This isn’t just about Donovan anymore. Someone’s playing a bigger game."

Lillian’s breath came short. "Who?"

Marcus’s lips thinned. "That’s what we need to find out."

The door clicked shut behind Sebastian, leaving her with a sinking feeling.

The storm was coming. And she was right in the middle of it.

There was something endearingly naive about my nephew—a youthful optimism that made me hesitate to shatter his illusions. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to fuel his hopes either. Whether Lillian chose to be with him or not shouldn’t matter to me. She was her own woman, free to make her own choices. And it was painfully obvious she didn’t see me that way—she wanted to keep things strictly professional. Maybe that was for the best.

But the mere thought of another man touching her sent a surge of possessive fury through me. I clenched my jaw, forcing the image away. It wasn’t my place. She had made her decision, and now I had to live with mine.

"I can’t speak for her," I finally said, my voice carefully neutral. "You’ll have to ask her yourself." With that, I turned on my heel and strode into the kitchen, leaving Nathaniel standing there.

Victoria and Oliver were already seated at the dining table when I entered, and Nathaniel followed moments later. I took my place at the head of the table while he settled beside Victoria.

"I’m so glad you could join us for dinner, Dad. I didn’t expect you to be here," Victoria said, her smile warm but tired.

"I’m surprised you’re not with Donovan," I remarked, unfolding my napkin onto my lap.

She shrugged, her fingers brushing against her phone where it lay beside her plate.

"He’s been busy today," she murmured. "After I got back from the hospital, he had work to catch up on. He stayed with me the entire night, though. He was… perfect."

I studied her face. The bruise had faded significantly, and she looked far better than she had this morning when I’d seen her at the hospital—exhausted, shaken. Spending time with Donovan must have helped soothe her nerves.

"He was so heroic last night, Daddy," Victoria continued, her voice softening with admiration. "I wish I could remember him fighting off those rogues, but I blacked out. I still can’t believe he came for me… He must really love me." She sighed, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "I can’t believe I ever doubted him."

"You doubted him?" Nathaniel asked, eyebrows lifting.

"Only for a second," she admitted, her cheeks flushing. "I thought… maybe he had feelings for someone else. But I was just being paranoid."

"Who else could he possibly want?" Nathaniel pressed. "Who could compare to you, Victoria?"

She ducked her head, staring at her empty plate. "It doesn’t matter now."

I knew exactly who she was thinking of. Before the conversation could continue, the maids entered with trays of food, the rich aromas filling the room.

"This looks amazing!" Victoria exclaimed, perking up.

"I’m starving," Nathaniel added with a grin.

"Dig in," I announced as the final dishes were placed on the table. I waited politely until everyone had served themselves before beginning my own meal.

"Have you heard about the masquerade ball this weekend?" Victoria asked, her eyes sparkling as she glanced at me. "It's the social event of the season - absolutely everyone important will be there." I gave a knowing nod.

"I already have invitations for you and Donovan," I informed her.

She let out an excited squeal, clapping her hands together. "Oh father, that's wonderful!"

Nathaniel cleared his throat, pausing between bites. "Would it be possible to get two additional tickets? I'd love to invite Lillian as my date."

"What a splendid idea!" Victoria chimed in, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "We could make a day of it - I'll take her shopping and we'll have the most marvelous girls' outing!" She suddenly froze under my sharp glare, offering a sheepish smile. "With extra security, of course. We won't go anywhere without guards."

"You'll take double the usual guards and Marcus will accompany you," I stated firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Yes, father," she replied obediently, suddenly finding her plate very interesting.

Nathaniel cleared his throat again, drawing my attention back to him. I didn't particularly want to give him an opportunity to take Lillian out, but refusing outright would require explanations I wasn't prepared to give.

"So... about those tickets?" he pressed.

I exhaled slowly. "Fine," I conceded. "I'll see what I can arrange."

"Thank you, Uncle," Nathaniel said with a satisfied smile before returning to his meal.

Victoria continued chattering excitedly about the upcoming event as we ate. My gaze drifted to Nathaniel, lingering longer than appropriate. The smile playing at his lips told me exactly who occupied his thoughts - the same woman who currently filled my own mind.

Lillian's POV

"Two words. Masquerade Ball!" Beatrice practically screamed, shoving a glossy invitation in my face as I sat beneath the ancient oak tree in the university quad. I'd been deeply engrossed in my textbook when my best friend appeared out of nowhere like an excitable tornado.