Chapter 128

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Sebastian Blackwood’s penthouse suite, painting the room in warm hues. Lillian stretched lazily beneath the silk sheets, her body still humming from the intensity of last night’s full moon. Beside her, Sebastian slept soundly, his sculpted chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

She traced the faint scars along his shoulder—remnants of battles fought long before she had entered his life. A small smile tugged at her lips. Even in sleep, he exuded power, the aura of a Lycan Alpha impossible to ignore.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, shattering the peaceful silence. Beatrice’s name flashed across the screen.

"Emergency. Meet me at The Den in 20. Don’t tell Sebastian."

Lillian’s pulse spiked. Beatrice never panicked. Something was wrong.

She slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Sebastian, and dressed quickly in black jeans and a fitted leather jacket. The Den was their usual spot—a discreet café near campus where they could talk without prying ears.

The moment she stepped inside, Beatrice grabbed her wrist and dragged her into a secluded booth. Her best friend’s usually vibrant eyes were shadowed with worry.

"Donovan’s back," Beatrice whispered.

Lillian’s blood ran cold. "What?"

"He was spotted near the university last night. And Evelyn’s missing."

A sharp inhale. Evelyn—Donovan’s new mate—wasn’t just anyone. She was the daughter of Alpha Harrison, one of the most ruthless Alphas in the region. If Donovan had done something to her…

Lillian’s claws pricked at her fingertips. "Does Sebastian know?"

Beatrice shook her head. "Not yet. But we need to find Evelyn before this turns into a bloodbath."

Lillian’s mind raced. Donovan had been exiled, stripped of his title, and left to rot. His return could only mean one thing—revenge.

And she was his prime target.

The café door swung open, and a familiar scent hit her—dark, smoky, laced with fury.

Sebastian stood in the doorway, his golden eyes burning with barely restrained rage.

"Lillian," he growled. "We need to talk."

Her stomach twisted. He knew.

And if the storm in his gaze was any indication, this wasn’t just about Donovan.

Something far worse was coming.

She was quiet for a moment as she took a sip of her own coffee.

"There's nothing wrong with being friends," Beatrice said, her voice softening. "I mean, he has to understand that your fated mate abandoned you for another woman not long ago. You're still healing, Lillian. Your wolf is fragile right now." She gave me a pointed look. "You can't punish yourself for needing time, and neither should he."

I bit my lip, staring down at the dark liquid in my cup, my cheeks warming at the memory.

"Why do I feel like there's more to this?" she suddenly asked, studying my expression.

"Because there is," I murmured, peeking up at her through my lashes. "He was furious, Bea. I was terrified. I tried to get away, but... things escalated. Words were said. Boundaries were crossed."

"Boundaries?" Her grip tightened around her cup. "Did he hurt you?"

I chewed the inside of my cheek, unable to voice it.

"Oh, Goddess above!" she nearly shrieked, slamming her cup down. "He did, didn't he?!"

"Beatrice, lower your voice!" I hissed, grabbing her wrist to stop her from standing. "I don’t want this spreading."

"I swear, I'm going to rip that bastard apart—"

"Sebastian is already handling it," I blurted.

She froze, her eyes widening.

"Sebastian? Sebastian Blackwood?" she whispered, as if saying his name too loud might summon him.

I nodded.

"He saw me walking last night and stopped to give me a ride." It was a half-truth—I wasn’t ready to tell her everything. "He figured out what happened. And he promised Nathaniel wouldn’t touch me again."

Her brows shot up, and then, slowly, a smirk curled at the corner of her lips.

"Alpha Sebastian Blackwood is protecting you?" she asked, her tone dripping with implication.

My face burned, and I dropped my gaze to my hands.

"Yes," I admitted, unable to meet her eyes.

"Why do I feel like there's way more to this—"

"I have to get to my next class," I cut in abruptly, jumping to my feet. "Thanks for the coffee."

I snatched my bag and my half-finished drink, hurrying toward the door before she could pry further.

"Fine, but this conversation isn’t over!" she called after me.

I waved without looking back, my pulse racing as I rushed to my next lecture.

By the time my last class ended, I was drenched in sweat and utterly drained. The exhaustion was almost a relief—at least it drowned out everything else.

I didn't run into Beatrice as I made my way toward the school's front gates. Just as I pulled out my phone to call a ride, a sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of me, making my breath hitch.

The tinted window lowered, revealing Sebastian Blackwood's smirking face.

"Get in," he commanded, his voice low and firm.

I hesitated, glancing around to ensure no one was watching. The last thing I needed was gossip spreading about me and the Lycan chairman.

His eyes darkened. "Don’t make me ask twice, Lillian."

My pulse jumped, but I obeyed, sliding into the plush leather seat. Before I could even fasten my seatbelt, his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against him. His lips crashed onto mine in a kiss so deep and possessive, my thoughts scattered.

Third Person POV

Weeks had passed since the gala, and Victoria was still inconsolable. Donovan struggled to keep up with her emotional outbursts.

"I can’t believe he just vanished without a word!" Victoria sniffled, curling into Donovan’s side as they lay in bed. "He left the country like I meant nothing to him!"

Donovan sighed, rubbing her back half-heartedly. "I’m sure it was urgent. He’ll reach out when he can."

But his mind wasn’t on Victoria’s distress. It was on Lillian.

She had been… different lately. Radiant.

Every time Donovan saw her, she was either training with Oliver under Sebastian’s watchful gaze or laughing softly with the Lycan chairman himself. He noticed the way her cheeks flushed when Sebastian’s fingers brushed hers, the way his smirk deepened whenever their eyes met.

Sometimes, Donovan would catch them whispering in corners, their voices too low to hear—until they noticed him. Then, the conversation would shift abruptly to pack business, leaving Donovan with a gnawing unease.

That evening, he had planned to take Victoria out, hoping to distract her from Nathaniel’s sudden departure. But as he approached the back doors of the training hall, he froze.

There, in the dimming light, stood Sebastian and Lillian.

She was breathless from training, her hair slightly tousled. Sebastian reached out, tucking a loose strand behind her ear with a tenderness that made Donovan’s stomach twist.

It was such a simple gesture.

Yet so undeniably intimate.

Had Lillian really moved on… with him?