Chapter 12

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the room. Lillian stretched lazily, her body still humming with the remnants of last night’s adrenaline. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted in from the hallway, signaling that Sebastian was already awake.

She rolled out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. The events of the previous evening replayed in her mind—Donovan’s unexpected appearance, the tension in the air, the way Sebastian’s grip had tightened around her waist possessively. A shiver ran down her spine.

Padding into the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face, trying to shake off the lingering unease. The reflection staring back at her was a mix of exhaustion and defiance. I won’t let him get to me, she thought, gripping the edge of the sink.

Downstairs, the mansion was alive with quiet activity. Giselle, the head maid, was directing the staff with her usual efficiency, while Lucien, the flirtatious head chef, winked at her from the kitchen doorway. "Morning, ma chérie," he called, his French accent thick. "Hungry?"

Lillian smirked. "Starving."

She found Sebastian in the dining room, his broad frame hunched over a stack of documents. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he’d been running his fingers through it in frustration. Oliver sat beside him, swinging his legs and chattering excitedly about his upcoming school project.

"Morning," Lillian said, sliding into the seat across from them.

Sebastian’s gaze flicked up, his stormy eyes softening as they met hers. "Sleep well?"

"Like the dead," she lied, reaching for the coffee pot.

Oliver grinned. "Dad said we’re going horseback riding today! You’re coming, right?"

Lillian hesitated, glancing at Sebastian. His expression was unreadable, but there was a silent plea in his eyes. He wants me there.

"Of course," she said, ruffling Oliver’s hair. "Wouldn’t miss it."

The moment was shattered by the sharp ring of Sebastian’s phone. He scowled at the screen before answering. "Blackwood."

Lillian watched as his jaw clenched, the muscles tightening. Whatever was being said on the other end wasn’t good.

"We’ll handle it," he growled before hanging up.

"What’s wrong?" she asked.

Sebastian exhaled sharply. "Donovan’s making moves. He’s trying to rally support against me."

Lillian’s stomach twisted. "Because of me."

Sebastian’s gaze hardened. "Because he’s a fool who doesn’t know when to walk away."

Oliver, sensing the tension, poked at his pancakes nervously. Lillian forced a smile. "Hey, how about we get ready for that ride? I bet I can beat you to the stables."

Oliver perked up immediately, his worries forgotten. "No way! I’m faster!"

As he dashed off, Sebastian caught Lillian’s wrist. "We’ll deal with Donovan," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. "But today—today is for Oliver."

She nodded, her pulse quickening at the intensity in his eyes.

Because she knew one thing for certain: when Sebastian Blackwood made a promise, he kept it.

And Donovan had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

"Sebastian, how could you allow just anyone to walk into my home?" My voice trembled with barely contained fury. "Is there no longer any order in this household? And you left her alone with my son—what were you thinking?"

Oliver had already rushed to his father’s side, leaving me standing frozen, my gaze locked onto Sebastian Blackwood’s piercing eyes. My stomach twisted in disbelief. Him. Of all people, why did it have to be him? The universe seemed determined to play a cruel joke on me. Why couldn’t I escape this man?

Sebastian ran a hand through Oliver’s hair before stepping around him, closing the distance between us. His dark eyes simmered with irritation, clearly displeased by my presence in his villa.

"I thought I made myself clear, Miss Dumont," he said, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "We weren’t meant to cross paths again. Showing up at my home is… excessive, don’t you think?"

Heat flooded my cheeks. The implication was clear—he thought I had come here for him. But nothing could be further from the truth. I was here because of the tutoring job posted on the werewolf employment board.

When I didn’t respond immediately, his jaw tightened. "Nothing to say?"

I was still reeling. Of course, I knew this was Sebastian’s pack territory, but I hadn’t connected the dots—this grand villa belonged to the Alpha. And worse, I had no idea he had a son. The media only ever spoke of his daughter, Victoria. Why was Oliver kept a secret?

Sebastian turned to Theodore Whitmore, his butler, who looked just as stunned as I felt. The poor man was clearly scrambling to piece together what was happening.

"Remove Miss Dumont from my property immediately," Sebastian commanded, his gaze snapping back to me.

His eyes darkened, nearly black, and for a heartbeat, they raked over me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. I had dressed casually—workout shorts and a fitted crop top—for ease of movement, but under his scrutiny, I suddenly felt exposed. Vulnerable.

His attention lingered on my bare stomach, then trailed down to my legs. A slow, unwelcome warmth spread through me, my pulse hammering in my throat. When his eyes finally met mine again, they burned with something unreadable.

I couldn’t look away. It was as if he had me under a spell, my breath hitching under the weight of his stare.

"Alpha, there’s been a misunderstanding," Theodore interjected, snapping me out of my trance. "I apologize for not speaking sooner."

I swallowed hard, forcing steel into my voice. "I’m not here for you, Alpha Blackwood. I’m here because you posted a tutoring position. I have the qualifications, and I was invited by your butler. Had I known you were the master of this house, I wouldn’t have come."

I snatched my bag from the floor, pulling out my résumé as Sebastian stared at me, momentarily speechless. Theodore quickly added, "I did inform you that candidates were coming today, Alpha. Miss Dumont was among them. I never disclosed your name in the listing—for confidentiality reasons."

Sebastian’s expression shifted, the anger fading into something almost… sheepish. I bit back a smirk as I extended my résumé toward him.

After a brief hesitation, he took it, scanning the page. His brows furrowed. "You’ve had warrior training?"

I nodded. "I’m currently studying combat. Top of my class in every discipline. This tutoring position would be an excellent addition to my credentials."

His gaze flicked back to me, assessing. The air between us crackled with tension—unresolved, electric.

And just like that, the game had changed.