Chapter 124

The morning sun cast golden rays through the sheer curtains of Lillian's bedroom, stirring her awake. She stretched languidly, the events of last night still fresh in her mind—Donovan's unexpected reappearance, the tension in the air, and the way Sebastian's grip had tightened around her waist as if silently declaring his claim.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, sitting up.

The door creaked open, revealing Beatrice, her best friend, balancing a tray of breakfast in one hand and a steaming cup of coffee in the other. "Morning, sleepyhead. Thought you might need this after last night."

Lillian groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ugh, don’t remind me. I still can’t believe Donovan had the nerve to show up."

Beatrice set the tray down on the bedside table, plopping onto the edge of the bed. "And with Evelyn, no less. That woman has the subtlety of a sledgehammer."

Lillian snorted, reaching for the coffee. "Tell me about it. The way she clung to him like a limpet—honestly, it was pathetic."

Beatrice smirked. "Jealous?"

Lillian shot her a glare. "Please. I’m just annoyed he’s still trying to play games."

A mischievous glint sparked in Beatrice’s eyes. "Well, Sebastian certainly didn’t seem thrilled either. The way he looked at Donovan? I thought he was going to shift right then and there."

Lillian’s cheeks warmed at the memory. Sebastian’s protective instincts had been on full display, his dominance radiating like a storm cloud. It had been... unexpectedly thrilling.

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. A message from Victoria flashed on the screen:

"We need to talk. Meet me at the café in an hour."

Lillian frowned. Victoria had been distant since the engagement was called off, and now she wanted to talk?

Beatrice peeked over her shoulder. "Trouble in paradise?"

Lillian sighed. "I guess I’m about to find out."

The campus café was unusually quiet, the mid-morning lull leaving only a few students scattered at the tables. Victoria sat in the corner, her posture rigid, fingers tapping impatiently against her coffee cup.

Lillian slid into the seat across from her. "You wanted to talk?"

Victoria’s gaze flicked up, sharp and assessing. "You need to stay away from Donovan."

Lillian blinked. "Excuse me?"

Victoria leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "He’s not who you think he is. There are things you don’t know—things that could get you hurt."

A chill ran down Lillian’s spine. "What are you talking about?"

Victoria hesitated, then shook her head. "Just trust me. If you care about Sebastian, if you care about yourself—stay away."

Before Lillian could press further, Victoria stood abruptly, tossing a few bills onto the table. "I’ve said what I needed to say."

And with that, she was gone, leaving Lillian with more questions than answers.

What the hell was going on?

Sebastian’s office was dimly lit, the scent of aged leather and cedar filling the air. Marcus stood before him, his expression grim.

"We’ve got a problem," Marcus said, sliding a file across the desk. "Donovan’s been making moves behind the scenes. He’s been meeting with Alpha Harrison."

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "Harrison? That slimy bastard wouldn’t dare."

Marcus nodded. "And yet, here we are. Rumor has it they’re planning something big—something that could destabilize the entire territory."

Sebastian’s fingers curled into fists. "Find out what they’re up to. And keep an eye on Lillian. If Donovan’s involved, she’s in danger."

Marcus hesitated. "You think he’d hurt her?"

Sebastian’s eyes darkened. "I think he’s capable of anything."

Lillian’s phone buzzed again as she stepped out of the café. Another message—this time from an unknown number:

"You’re being watched. Don’t trust anyone."

Her breath hitched.

Who the hell was sending this? And more importantly—who was watching her?

The game had just gotten a lot more dangerous.

The moment I laid eyes on Lillian's swollen cheek and the cut marring her perfect lips, my vision turned crimson. Blood or not, my nephew Nathaniel would pay dearly for daring to lay a finger on her.

Kissing her hadn’t been part of the plan, but the second my lips met hers, the storm inside me—and my wolf—settled into a dangerous calm. The taste of copper from her wound lingered briefly before her skin began knitting itself back together beneath my touch. Was it her wolf healing her… or was it me?

I dragged her flush against me, every delicious curve of her body molding perfectly to mine as I guided her toward the car. My mouth never left hers, not until we reached the vehicle and I had to rap sharply on the window, forcing Marcus to lower it with an infuriatingly knowing smirk. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, I took in Lillian’s flushed face—her lips no longer split from injury but swollen from my claiming.

"Out," I ordered Marcus. "Wait here."

"Of course, Alpha," he replied, amusement dancing in his eyes as he stepped out and shut the door behind him. The second we were alone, I yanked open the back door and guided Lillian onto the seat.

She reclined, watching me with heavy-lidded anticipation as I crawled over her, sealing us inside. Gods, she was breathtaking—her dress clinging to every sinful curve, my wolf nearly rabid with the need to tear it off her. My lips traced the delicate column of her throat, and she gasped when I nipped at the sensitive juncture where her shoulder met her neck. A soft moan escaped her as her fingers tangled in my hair, sending electric sparks down my spine.

Slowly, I peeled the straps of her dress down, baring her perfect breasts to my hungry gaze. Her peaked nipples begged for my touch, and I obliged, swirling my tongue around one before drawing it into my mouth. Her breath hitched, her back arching as I teased her relentlessly until she was writhing beneath me.

"Sebastian…" she gasped.

Heat radiated from her skin, searing into me, and I smirked against her flesh. I loved how responsive she was—how easily she unraveled under my hands. A sharp tug of my teeth had her crying out, her hips lifting instinctively. The scent of her arousal thickened the air, and my wolf snarled with hunger.

I trailed lower, kissing a path down her stomach until I reached the hem of her dress. Pushing the fabric up, I growled at the sight of black silk panties.

Had she worn these for Nathaniel? The thought sent fury licking through my veins.

I’d make her forget his name. The only one she’d scream tonight would be mine.

With a rough flick of my fingers, I pushed the lace aside, revealing her glistening core. She was exquisite—soaked and trembling, her scent intoxicating. Without warning, I buried my face between her thighs.

She shrieked my name, her thighs clamping around my head as I feasted. She tasted even better than she smelled, and my cock throbbed painfully in response.

I’d ruin her for anyone else.

And I was just getting started.

I captured her sensitive bud between my lips, swirling my tongue in slow, teasing circles until her thighs trembled uncontrollably. A desperate cry tore from her throat—my name, raw and breathless—but I didn’t stop. Not until her body arched off the bed, pleasure rendering her limp and boneless beneath me.

With one last lingering kiss to her swollen clit, I dragged my mouth back up to hers, claiming her lips in a searing kiss. My tongue plunged deep, letting her taste herself on me. She responded with equal hunger, teeth grazing my lower lip before she laughed breathlessly when I retaliated with a sharp nip to hers—now fully healed.

Her fingers traced a blazing path down my torso, exploring the hard planes of my abdomen through the thin fabric of my shirt. A wicked little smirk curled at the corner of her lips—approval. I made it easier for her, unbuckling my belt and yanking down my zipper in one smooth motion. Her hands wasted no time, wrapping around my throbbing length with a confidence that nearly made me lose control right then.

Every stroke was electric, her fingers gliding from the sensitive tip down to the base, wringing a guttural groan from me.

"I need to be inside you," I growled against her lips, my voice rough with need.

Her eyes darkened with desire as she nodded.

"Take me..." she whispered, the words a plea.

But I needed more.

"Tell me you're mine," I demanded, barely recognizing the possessive edge in my own voice. Where this primal need came from, I didn’t know—but I needed to hear it.

For a heartbeat, she just stared at me, the fire in her gaze burning hotter before she closed the distance between us. Her lips crashed against mine in a searing kiss, and just as I thought I might lose my mind, her breathless whisper shattered me.

"I'm yours."