Chapter 125

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

Last night’s events replayed in her mind—Donovan’s sudden reappearance, the venom in his words, the way Evelyn clung to his arm like a trophy. Lillian’s fingers curled around the railing, her knuckles whitening. She had thought she was over him, but the sting of betrayal still lingered like a phantom ache.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Lillian?” Beatrice’s voice was muffled through the door. “Are you awake?”

Lillian exhaled sharply, forcing her shoulders to relax. “Come in.”

The door creaked open, revealing Beatrice in a rumpled T-shirt and pajama bottoms, her dark curls a wild halo around her face. “You’ve been out here forever. Did you even sleep?”

“Not much,” Lillian admitted, rubbing her temples.

Beatrice flopped onto the plush chaise lounge, kicking her feet up. “Ugh, men. They’re like bad hangovers—just when you think you’re done with them, they come back to ruin your morning.”

A reluctant laugh escaped Lillian. “Tell me about it.”

Beatrice grinned, mischief sparking in her eyes. “So, what’s the plan? Because I refuse to let Donovan and that snake Evelyn ruin our weekend.”

Lillian turned back to the view, the first rays of sunlight painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. “I don’t know. Avoid them, I guess.”

“Boring.” Beatrice rolled her eyes. “We should make them regret showing up. You’re the future Luna of this pack, remember? Time to remind everyone why Sebastian chose you.”

Lillian’s pulse quickened at the mention of Sebastian. The Lycan chairman had been nothing but patient with her, his quiet strength a balm to her fractured heart. But the thought of facing Donovan again—of seeing the smug satisfaction on his face—made her stomach twist.

“Maybe,” she murmured.

Beatrice sat up, suddenly serious. “Lil, you can’t let him win. Not again.”

Lillian’s jaw tightened. Beatrice was right. She had spent too long running from her past. It was time to stand her ground.

A sharp rap at the door startled them both.

“Lillian?” Sebastian’s deep voice sent a shiver down her spine.

Beatrice waggled her eyebrows. “Speak of the devil.”

Lillian shot her a glare before calling out, “Yes?”

The door opened, and Sebastian stepped inside, his broad frame filling the doorway. Dressed in a tailored black suit, his silver eyes gleamed with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

“We need to talk,” he said, his gaze flickering to Beatrice. “Alone.”

Beatrice hopped up with an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, fine. I’ll go find Oliver. Kid owes me a rematch in Mario Kart.” She winked at Lillian before slipping past Sebastian.

The moment the door clicked shut, the air between them thickened. Sebastian closed the distance in three strides, his fingers brushing her cheek. “You look exhausted.”

Lillian leaned into his touch, the warmth of his palm seeping into her skin. “I had a lot on my mind.”

His thumb traced the curve of her jaw. “Donovan?”

She nodded, unable to meet his eyes.

Sebastian’s grip tightened slightly. “He doesn’t get to dictate your life anymore, Lillian. You’re mine.” The possessiveness in his voice sent a thrill through her.

Before she could respond, his lips crashed onto hers, fierce and demanding. Lillian melted against him, her fingers tangling in his hair. The world outside ceased to exist—there was only Sebastian, his scent, his touch, the way he made her forget everything but him.

When they finally broke apart, breathless, Sebastian rested his forehead against hers. “Tonight, at the gala, you stand by my side. Let them see what they lost.”

Lillian’s heart pounded. “And if they try something?”

A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips. “Then they’ll learn why crossing a Blackwood is the last mistake they’ll ever make.”

The promise in his words sent a shiver down her spine. For the first time since Donovan’s return, Lillian felt something other than dread.

Anticipation.

Because tonight, the game changed.

And she was done playing the victim.

The words tumbled from my lips before I could process their weight. Yet, they seemed to shatter Sebastian's restraint entirely. In the next breath, he was buried deep inside me, and my voice broke as I cried out his name—every thought, every lingering pain from our failed mating, obliterated in an instant.

Each thrust sent electric shocks through my body, his movements hitting that perfect spot that made my legs tremble and my wolf howl in ecstasy. Even she, usually so restless with grief, was lost in pure bliss, surrendering completely to him.

Sebastian’s lips crashed back onto mine, his teeth grazing my bottom lip before sucking it gently. I smiled into the kiss, craving more—needing him closer, deeper, as if our bodies could fuse together. My fingers tangled in his dark, silken hair, pulling him down to me, refusing to let him go until I was utterly satisfied. He didn’t resist. Instead, he let me take what I wanted, his breath ragged against my skin.

"Lillian..." His voice was rough, my name a sinful whisper on his lips. The sound sent a thrill through me, and I wanted to hear it again, to drown in it.

I could feel him swelling inside me, his control fraying, but he held back, determined to drag out my pleasure. His thumb found my clit, circling and teasing until I was gasping, my body tightening around him. With one final cry of his name, I shattered, and he followed right after, his release filling me as we collapsed into a tangled, panting mess.

We stayed like that for a long moment, our breaths slowly steadying, before he finally pulled away and helped me sit up. My fingers combed through my tousled hair, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. This wasn’t how I’d expected the night to end—not in the back of his car, not with Marcus standing just outside, undoubtedly having heard everything.

Yet Sebastian didn’t seem fazed. He adjusted his clothes with effortless grace, as if we hadn’t just been lost in each other. A smirk curled his lips as he brushed his thumb over my swollen bottom lip, then tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. The tender kiss he pressed to my forehead made my pulse stutter.

He gave me a moment to straighten my dress before rolling down the window. Marcus stood there, his face flushed crimson. Mortification clawed at me, but Sebastian merely arched a brow.

"Take us back to the Blackwood Estate," he commanded.

Marcus nodded quickly, hurrying into the driver’s seat and sealing the partition shut, granting us privacy once more.

I blinked up at Sebastian, surprised. "You’re not taking me home?"

His gaze darkened. "Do you want to go back?"

I hesitated—then shook my head.

The hum of the car engine filled the silence as we sped through the night. My thoughts were a whirlwind. Why had Sebastian kissed me again? And why had we given in to passion when we both knew it shouldn't happen? The agreement between us had been clear—this couldn't continue. Yet he seemed utterly unbothered by breaking it. If anything, he looked pleased with himself, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips like he'd just claimed some grand prize.

But this wasn't winning. If anything, I was probably complicating his already chaotic life.

Where did this leave us now? Employer and employee? Alpha and pack member? The lines had blurred beyond recognition. And Nathaniel... Goddess above. Nathaniel.

How could I have forgotten about him? My fingers instinctively rose to my cheek, expecting to find the sting of his slap still lingering. But the skin was smooth—no swelling, no tenderness. Had I imagined the pain? Or had it miraculously healed after Nathaniel struck me?

"You don't need to worry about him anymore," Sebastian said suddenly, as if reading my thoughts. His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "He'll never lay a hand on you again."

I swallowed hard. "W-what do you mean?"

"I'll deal with him," he stated, his voice like steel. "What he did was unacceptable. I've already mindlinked Marcus—he's retrieving the security footage from the patio as we speak."

My breath caught. "There were cameras?"

Sebastian's eyebrow arched, that arrogant expression returning. "Of course there were." His golden eyes flashed dangerously in the dim light. "He'll pay for touching you. I'll make sure of it."

The finality in his tone sent shivers down my spine. This wasn't just a promise—it was a vow. And when Sebastian Blackwood made vows, the world trembled.