Chapter 130

The morning sun filtered through the heavy velvet curtains of Sebastian Blackwood's private study, casting golden streaks across the antique mahogany desk where Lillian sat fidgeting with her pen. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint aroma of leather-bound books that lined the walls.

"Stop chewing on that pen, darling," Sebastian murmured without looking up from his documents, his deep voice sending shivers down Lillian's spine. "You'll ruin another one."

Lillian immediately released the chewed plastic from between her teeth, her cheeks flushing. Across the room, Oliver giggled from where he was sprawled on the Persian rug, coloring in his sketchbook. The seven-year-old had become her constant shadow since she'd moved into the Blackwood estate.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted the peaceful moment. Marcus Grayson entered, his usually composed face tight with tension. "Alpha, we have a situation."

Sebastian's golden eyes flicked up immediately. "Report."

"It's Donovan Winslow," Marcus said, his jaw clenching. "He's been spotted at the border with Evelyn and a contingent from the Winslow pack. They're demanding to speak with Lillian."

Lillian's stomach dropped. The pen she'd been holding clattered to the desk. After everything that had happened—the betrayal, the public humiliation—why would Donovan show his face here now?

Sebastian was on his feet in an instant, his protective instincts flaring. "Under no circumstances is Lillian to—"

"No," Lillian interrupted, surprising even herself with the steel in her voice. She stood, smoothing her sweater. "I'll see him. But on my terms."

Sebastian's eyes darkened with concern. "Lillian—"

"I need to do this," she insisted, meeting his gaze steadily. "For closure."

After a tense moment, Sebastian gave a curt nod. "Very well. But I'll be right outside." His fingers brushed against hers as he passed, the brief contact sending warmth through her body.

The walk to the front gates felt endless. Lillian could hear the raised voices before she even reached the entrance. Donovan stood just beyond the Blackwood territory line, his new mate Evelyn clinging to his arm possessively. Behind them stood a dozen Winslow warriors, their postures aggressive.

Donovan's eyes lit up when he saw her. "Lillian! You look—"

"State your business, Donovan," Lillian cut him off coldly, crossing her arms. The once-familiar face of her former fated mate now stirred nothing but disgust in her chest.

Evelyn sneered. "Still playing the ice queen, I see. You always were—"

"I wasn't speaking to you," Lillian snapped, her wolf rising to the surface. The power in her voice made Evelyn flinch back.

Donovan held up his hands placatingly. "We came to warn you. My father is planning something—something big against the Blackwood pack. Against you specifically."

Lillian's breath caught. Archibald Winslow had never accepted her rejection of his son. But why act now?

Before she could respond, a chorus of growls erupted from the Blackwood guards as Sebastian appeared at her side, his presence commanding immediate silence. "If this is some pathetic attempt to—"

"It's not a trick," Donovan insisted, his eyes darting nervously between them. "My father has allied with Alpha Maximilian Voss. They're planning to challenge your claim to the Lycan Council seat at the next full moon gathering."

The air thickened with tension. A challenge like that could only mean one thing—a fight to the death.

Sebastian's hand found the small of Lillian's back, steadying her. "Is that all?" he asked coolly.

Donovan hesitated, then added, "There's more. They've... they've taken your mother, Lillian. Vivienne is being held at the Winslow estate as leverage."

The world tilted. Lillian's knees buckled, but Sebastian's strong arm caught her around the waist. Her mother—the only family she had left—was in danger because of her.

Sebastian's voice turned deadly quiet. "Marcus, prepare the warriors. We leave within the hour."

As Donovan and his party retreated, Lillian turned to Sebastian, her eyes burning with determination. "I'm coming with you."

Sebastian opened his mouth to protest, but the fire in her gaze silenced him. After a long moment, he nodded. "Together then."

Oliver came running up just then, his small face creased with worry. "Lillian? Are you okay?"

She knelt to hug him tightly, inhaling his comforting childlike scent. "Everything will be fine, sweetheart," she whispered, praying it wasn't a lie.

As they prepared for battle, Lillian couldn't shake the ominous feeling that this confrontation had been inevitable from the moment she'd rejected Donovan's mark. The past was coming to collect its dues—with interest.

"Donovan, what the hell are you doing?" I gasped as he pulled me further away from Sebastian and Oliver.

He stopped when we reached a secluded grove, the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. Without warning, he caged me against the rough bark of an ancient oak, his arms bracketing me in.

"What am I doing?" His voice was a low, dangerous growl. "What the hell do you think you're doing? What’s going on between you and Sebastian Blackwood?"

I gaped at him, my pulse hammering in my throat. "Are you out of your mind?" I snapped. "What right do you have to question me? You’re engaged to another woman!"

I shoved against his chest, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he leaned in closer, his body pressing me harder against the tree. Once, his nearness would have sent shivers down my spine—now, it only made my skin crawl.

"And weren’t you just dating another man not too long ago?" His breath was hot against my cheek. "What happened there? Did you drive him away because you couldn’t get enough of Sebastian?"

"Let go, Donovan," I hissed, twisting in his grip. "You have no right to interrogate me! Go back to your fiancée!"

His lips curled into a sneer. "I never thought you were such a slut."

"You’re the shameless one here, Mr. Winslow," I spat. "Leave me alone. My relationship with Sebastian is none of your business. We’re over."

His grip tightened. "You’re still mine, Lillian Dumont. Don’t ever forget that."

"In your dreams," I whispered, my voice dripping with venom.

Just as he opened his mouth to retort, a blur of motion wrenched him away from me. Donovan gasped as he was spun around—only to come face-to-face with a furious Sebastian.

Before Donovan could react, Sebastian’s fist collided with his stomach, sending him crumpling to the ground. My breath caught as Sebastian hauled him up by the collar and slammed him back against the tree.

"Why can’t you behave?" Sebastian snarled, his golden eyes blazing. "Every time I turn around, you’re causing trouble for Lillian! You’re engaged to my daughter—do I need to be concerned about your loyalty to her?"

"N-no, Alpha! Of course not!" Donovan stammered, his face flushing crimson. "I love Evelyn. I meant no disrespect—we were just talking!"

"It didn’t look like talking to me," Sebastian growled. "You had her pinned against a tree. The next time I catch you near Lillian, I’ll make sure you never become an Alpha. Do I make myself clear, Donovan Winslow?"

"Y-yes, Alpha," he choked out, his bravado crumbling.

Sebastian released him, and Donovan slumped against the tree, defeated. Then Sebastian turned to me, his expression unreadable—but his eyes burned with something dark and possessive.

"Donovan, what the hell are you doing?" I gasped as he dragged me further away from Sebastian and Oliver.

He stopped abruptly when we reached a secluded grove, his arms caging me against the rough bark of an ancient oak.

"What am I doing?" His voice was a low, dangerous growl. "What the hell do you think you're doing? What's going on between you and Sebastian Blackwood?"

I gaped at him, shock rendering me momentarily speechless.

"Are you insane?" I finally managed, my voice trembling with fury. "You have no right to interrogate me! You're engaged to another woman!" I shoved against his chest, but he didn’t budge—his body pressed closer, pinning me harder against the tree. Once, his proximity would have sent my pulse racing, but now, it only made my skin crawl.

"And weren’t you just dating someone else not long ago?" he sneered. "What happened there? Did he leave because you were too busy chasing after Sebastian?"

"Let me go, Donovan," I hissed, twisting in his grip. "You lost any claim over me the second you chose Evelyn. Go back to your fiancée!"

His grip tightened. "I never took you for such a whore."

The insult burned through me. "You’re the shameless one, Mr. Winslow," I spat. "This is none of your business. My relationship with Sebastian is mine to define. We’re over."

His eyes darkened. "You’ll always be mine, Lillian Dumont. Don’t you dare forget that."

"In your delusions," I shot back, my voice dripping with venom.

Just as he opened his mouth to retaliate, a powerful force yanked him away from me. Donovan gasped as he was spun around to face a furious Sebastian. Without hesitation, Sebastian drove his fist into Donovan’s stomach, sending him crashing to the ground.

My heart lodged in my throat as Sebastian hauled Donovan up by his collar and slammed him back against the tree.

"When will you learn?" Sebastian snarled, his voice laced with barely restrained rage. "Every time I turn around, you’re harassing Lillian! You’re engaged to my daughter—should I be questioning your loyalty to her?"

"N-no, Alpha! Of course not!" Donovan stammered, his face flushing crimson. "I love Victoria. This—this was just a misunderstanding!"

Sebastian’s grip tightened. "Misunderstanding? You had her pinned against a tree. If I ever catch you near her again, I’ll strip you of your rank and ensure you never become Alpha. Am I clear, Donovan Winslow?"

"Y-yes, Alpha," Donovan choked out, his bravado crumbling.

Sebastian released him with a shove, and Donovan slumped against the tree, defeated. Sebastian turned to me, his expression—

"Are you alright?" Donovan's voice was low, laced with concern.

I nodded, though my entire body trembled uncontrollably. The adrenaline still coursed through me, making my fingers twitch.

He grasped my arm firmly, pulling me closer. His warmth was a fleeting comfort. "Go inside and clean up," he murmured, his tone softer than I expected.

I swallowed hard and glanced over his shoulder at Oliver, who stood frozen, his wide eyes locked on us.

"Did Oliver see?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "He must be terrified."

"I'll handle it," Donovan assured me, his grip tightening briefly before releasing me. "Meet me in my room. Make sure no one notices you."

I nodded, gratitude swelling in my chest. "Thank you," I breathed.

He smirked, winking before I quickly slipped away, offering Oliver a hurried wave before disappearing inside.

Victoria’s POV

Victoria had been about to step outside when she paused at the back door, her hand hovering over the handle. Through the window, her gaze snagged on the distant figures—Donovan and Lillian, pressed against a tree.

Her breath hitched.

The way his body molded against hers, the way his fingers tangled in her hair—it wasn’t just casual. It was intimate.

Her heart splintered instantly.

She’d suspected something between them, but she’d believed them when they swore it was nothing.

Now, the truth was undeniable.

And it destroyed her.