Chapter 127

I blinked awake the next morning, momentarily disoriented. The unfamiliar opulence of the room made my pulse spike—until I felt the warmth beside me. Turning my head, I found Sebastian Blackwood still asleep, his dark lashes casting shadows over his sharp cheekbones.

Memories of last night flooded back—the Gala, his whispered promise of dating (whatever that meant between us), and the way he’d carried me to his villa, where we’d burned through the hours tangled in his silk sheets. I’d fallen asleep in his arms, and apparently, he hadn’t let me go.

A flush crept up my neck as I took in his bare torso, the sheets slipping low enough to reveal the hard planes of his abdomen. My fingers itched to trace them, but I bit my lip, scolding myself for the impulse.

Carefully, I tried to slip away, but his hand snapped around my wrist like a manacle. My breath hitched as his eyes—dark and predatory—locked onto mine.

"Running already, little wolf?" His voice was rough with sleep, sending heat pooling low in my stomach.

Before I could answer, he yanked me against him, flipping us until his weight pinned me to the mattress. I gasped, but the sound was swallowed by his mouth crashing onto mine. Even at dawn, he tasted like sin and something addictively his.

"Were you really going to sneak out?" he murmured against my lips, teeth grazing my bottom one.

"I have class," I protested weakly, though my hands were already fisting in his hair. "I need to shower and change—"

"My shower works just fine," he countered, kissing down my jaw. His lips found the pulse at my throat, and I arched into him. "And I’ll have Victoria’s closet raided for you. She won’t miss a few things."

A shiver raced down my spine as his mouth explored lower. "Where is Victoria?" I asked, half to distract myself.

Sebastian nipped my shoulder, drawing a yelp from me. To my surprise, he chuckled—a rare, rich sound that made my chest tighten. In one fluid motion, he rolled us again until I straddled him.

"Haven’t you had enough, Alpha Blackwood?" I teased, leaning down to kiss him first this time. His groan vibrated against my lips as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping possessively into my mouth. When he pulled away too soon, I whimpered, chasing his lips.

His smirk was pure arrogance. "Never."

"When I've had enough of you, I'll let you know," Sebastian murmured against my skin, his lips trailing fiery kisses down the nape of my neck.

The mere thought of him ever growing tired of me sent an uneasy shiver down my spine, but I swallowed the feeling, burying it deep. I patted his chest lightly, my fingers tracing the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt.

"I really do have to get dressed," I insisted, my voice breathier than I intended.

He exhaled dramatically, releasing me with obvious reluctance.

"Fine," he grumbled, though his eyes darkened with mischief. "But I'm showering with you."

"Wha—" I barely got the word out before he hoisted me effortlessly over his shoulder, carrying me like a sack of stolen treasure toward the bathroom as I shrieked in protest.

"You have to tell me everything about the Gala!" Beatrice demanded the moment we met in the student lounge.

After surviving two morning classes on barely three hours of sleep, the sight of the steaming coffee cup waiting for me on the table nearly brought tears to my eyes.

"You’re an angel," I groaned, snatching the cup and taking a long, desperate sip.

She smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Had a feeling you’d need it. Galas always run late." She nudged me with her elbow. "So? Spill."

"It started off fine," I admitted, swirling the coffee in my cup. "But then… things got complicated."

Her playful grin faltered, replaced by concern as she studied my face. "What do you mean?"

I hesitated, taking another slow sip, debating how much to reveal. Beatrice was my best friend—I hated keeping secrets from her. But Sebastian had asked for discretion, and I owed him that much.

"Nathaniel asked me to be his girlfriend," I finally confessed.

Her jaw dropped.

"What?! That’s huge, Lillian!" she squealed—before immediately narrowing her eyes. "Wait… you don’t look happy."

I shook my head, offering her a weak shrug.

"I’m not," I muttered. "I told him I wasn’t ready for that. That I only see him as a friend." My chest tightened at the memory of his wounded expression. "I never meant to hurt him… but he was upset."

The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken questions. Beatrice’s gaze bore into me, as if she could see right through my half-truths.

"There’s more, isn’t there?" she pressed.

I bit my lip.

"Always."