Chapter 134

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian hurried across the campus quad. Her phone buzzed in her pocket—another message from Donovan. She gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to check it. He had been relentless since their bond shattered, sending her texts at all hours, alternating between venomous accusations and desperate pleas.

Beatrice caught up to her, breathless. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost," she panted, adjusting the strap of her bag.

Lillian forced a smile. "Just another charming message from my ex-fated mate."

Beatrice rolled her eyes. "That man needs a hobby. Preferably one that doesn’t involve harassing you."

Lillian exhaled sharply. "I wish it were that simple."

A sleek black car pulled up beside them, the window rolling down to reveal Sebastian Blackwood’s piercing gaze. "Get in," he said, his voice smooth but edged with urgency.

Lillian hesitated. "What’s going on?"

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "Victoria’s missing."

Her stomach dropped. "What do you mean, missing?"

Beatrice grabbed her arm. "You should go. I’ll cover for you in class."

Lillian nodded and slid into the car, the leather seat cool beneath her. Sebastian’s scent—dark, woodsy, and faintly dangerous—filled the space between them.

"Tell me everything," she demanded.

Sebastian’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel. "She was supposed to meet Evelyn for lunch. Never showed up. Her phone’s dead, and Donovan claims he hasn’t seen her."

Lillian’s pulse quickened. "You think he’s lying?"

Sebastian’s eyes darkened. "I think he’s desperate enough to do something stupid."

The car sped through the city, the world outside blurring into streaks of color. Lillian’s mind raced. If Donovan had taken Victoria, it wasn’t just about revenge—it was a declaration of war.

And she was caught right in the middle.

The Blackwood estate loomed ahead, its gates swinging open as they approached. Theodore Whitmore stood at the entrance, his expression grim.

"Any news?" Sebastian asked, stepping out of the car.

Theodore shook his head. "Marcus is tracking her scent, but it’s faint. Whoever took her knew how to cover their tracks."

Lillian clenched her fists. "We need to move fast."

Sebastian turned to her, his gaze intense. "You’re staying here."

She bristled. "Like hell I am."

A muscle ticked in his jaw. "This isn’t a negotiation."

Lillian met his stare without flinching. "Victoria’s my friend. I’m not sitting this out."

For a moment, the air between them crackled with tension. Then Sebastian exhaled sharply. "Fine. But you follow my lead."

She nodded, determination settling in her bones.

Wherever Victoria was, they would find her.

And Donovan would regret ever crossing them.

"You're such trash, Lillian Dumont. What the hell are you doing at my family's barbecue?" Arabella sneered, crossing her arms over her ample chest, her glossy lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line as she glared daggers at me.

"If I recall correctly, the entire pack was invited, Arabella. So, what's your problem?" I shot back, narrowing my eyes. I wasn't about to let her push me around—especially since I was only here as a favor to Victoria. The last thing I needed was Arabella's drama right now.

"That invitation doesn't include you, slut," she spat.

Was she seriously calling me a slut when Donovan was the one who walked away for someone else? The audacity.

"It's pathetic that you even showed your face here," she continued, her voice dripping with venom. "What, are you here to beg Donovan to take you back? Can't you just let him go and let him be happy? He found someone worthy of his love. Victoria fits perfectly with our family. We've only known her a short while, and she's already the perfect sister-in-law."

"I'm not here for Donovan," I muttered, clenching my fists. "I'm here to support my friend."

"Yeah, right," Arabella scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I highly doubt you're here for anyone but yourself. You're pathetic, Lillian."

"What's going on?" Donovan's deep voice cut through the tension as he stepped beside his sister. "You're not causing trouble again, are you, Bella?"

She huffed, her icy blue eyes narrowing.

"Of course not, Donovan. I'm just looking out for you. I won’t let this bitch weasel her way back into your life when you’ve clearly moved on," she said sourly.

Donovan sighed, running a hand through his dark hair in exasperation.

"I don’t need you to look out for me. I can handle myself," he assured her.

She rolled her eyes dramatically.

"I'm your sister—it's my job to protect you," she whined.

"You're my little sister," he reminded her firmly. "Please, don’t make any more trouble—for either of us."

Arabella scowled, but before she could retort, Victoria stepped in.

"Arabella was only trying to do what she thought was right," Victoria said softly, her tone gentle.

I stiffened. Was she seriously defending Arabella after everything she'd just said to me? I thought Victoria wanted me here because I was her friend, but the way she had Arabella’s back made me question everything.

Donovan wrapped an arm around Victoria’s shoulders, pulling her close. She melted against him as he pressed a kiss to her temple, his gaze flickering toward me for a brief, chilling moment. My blood ran cold.

I shifted uncomfortably in my shoes, trying to avoid his piercing stare, but I could feel it burning into the side of my face like a brand.

"I want to introduce you to some friends," Donovan murmured to Victoria.

She nodded, then glanced at me.

"I'll see you in a bit," she told me.

I forced a smile as she walked away, her hand entwined with Donovan's. He cast one last look over his shoulder before turning his attention to the group gathered across the garden.

"Lillian?" A familiar voice cut through the chatter. I turned to see Eleanor Winslow approaching, her lips pursed in disapproval. When she stopped in front of me, her perfectly arched brows lifted. "I didn’t expect to see you here tonight."

"She’s trying to win Donovan back, so of course she showed up," Arabella sneered, crossing her arms.

"Is that so?" Eleanor’s gaze never wavered from mine. "Well, I’m afraid that won’t be happening. My Donovan is far happier with his fiancée. Victoria is an absolute gem—she fits into our family much better than you ever could."

"That’s exactly what I’ve been telling her," Arabella chimed in, smirking. "Compared to Victoria, Lillian is nothing."

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but the words died on my tongue. They had always treated me this way, ever since I’d known them. It made no sense—why did they despise me so much? Maybe it was because they’d always resented my family, waiting for our downfall so they could finally rise above us. And now that they had, they relished rubbing it in my face, making sure I knew my place.

My chest ached. Donovan was supposed to be my fated mate. I was the one who had been wronged. Yet, they acted as if I were the villain. It was a bitter reminder—to me and to my wolf—that we didn’t belong here. Never had, never would. Even if Donovan accepted me, this would always be my reality.

"Victoria comes from real wealth," Eleanor continued, her voice dripping with pride. "Her father is Sebastian Blackwood. Can you imagine? My Donovan is marrying into the Blackwood dynasty. Our families are now connected. Everything has fallen perfectly into place."

"And let’s not forget how devastatingly handsome Alpha Sebastian is," Arabella purred, making my stomach churn.

"Arabella, enough," Eleanor scolded with a laugh. "He’s old enough to be your father. Still, we invited him tonight, as we do every year. I wonder if he’ll actually come now that his daughter is here. I can’t wait to officially meet him—this will cement our status as the most influential family in the country."