Chapter 136

The morning sun cast golden rays through the sheer curtains of Lillian’s bedroom, stirring her awake. She stretched lazily, her muscles still sore from last night’s intense training session with Professor Montclair. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted up from the kitchen, signaling that Giselle, the head maid, was already at work.

Lillian’s phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from Beatrice lit up the screen: "Emergency brunch meeting. Café Laurent. 10 AM. Wear something cute—Dominic will be there."

She groaned, rubbing her temples. Beatrice had been trying to set her up with Dominic Whitaker for weeks, despite Lillian’s repeated insistence that she wasn’t interested. Still, she couldn’t ignore her best friend’s summons.

Downstairs, Sebastian Blackwood sat at the dining table, reading the morning papers while Oliver, his seven-year-old son, enthusiastically devoured a stack of pancakes. The sight warmed Lillian’s heart—Sebastian had softened so much since she’d first met him.

"Morning," she murmured, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

Sebastian glanced up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. "You’re up early."

"Beatrice has plans," she said, rolling her eyes. "Apparently, my love life is a crisis that needs immediate intervention."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Should I be concerned?"

Lillian snorted. "Hardly. Dominic is nice, but he’s not exactly..." She trailed off, heat creeping up her neck as Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

"Not exactly what?"

Not you. The thought startled her, and she quickly took a sip of coffee to hide her expression.

Before she could answer, Victoria swept into the room, her designer heels clicking against the marble floor. "Father, we need to talk," she announced, her tone sharp.

Sebastian’s expression darkened. "What is it?"

Victoria’s gaze flickered to Lillian before she spoke. "Donovan is back in town."

The name sent a jolt through Lillian’s body. Donovan—her ex-fated mate, the man who had betrayed her for Evelyn. The man whose rejection had nearly destroyed her.

Sebastian’s grip tightened around his coffee cup. "Where?"

"At the Winslow estate," Victoria said. "And he’s not alone. Evelyn is with him."

Lillian’s stomach twisted. She had moved on—or so she’d thought. But the mere mention of Donovan still stirred something bitter inside her.

Sebastian stood abruptly. "Marcus," he called, summoning his Beta. "Double the patrols around the territory. I want eyes on Donovan at all times."

Lillian swallowed hard. "Why is he back?"

Victoria’s lips curled into a cold smile. "Rumor has it, he’s here to challenge Father’s authority."

A tense silence settled over the room.

Then, Oliver piped up, syrup smeared across his cheek. "Does this mean we get to fight?"

Sebastian exhaled, ruffling his son’s hair. "No, Oliver. It means we stay alert."

But Lillian knew better.

Donovan’s return wasn’t just a coincidence.

It was a declaration of war.

And she was right in the middle of it.

"And just who do you think you are?" Eleanor sneered, arching a perfectly sculpted brow at the man standing behind me.

"This is a private gathering," Margaret cut in, her voice dripping with disdain. "You weren't invited."

"More importantly, this is a pack event, and you are not pack," Eleanor added with an exaggerated eye roll.

Arabella, however, had a different opinion. "He's gorgeous though. Maybe he should stay," she cooed, fluttering her lashes at him. My stomach twisted violently, and I had to bite back the growl rising in my throat.

Then, a warm hand settled on my shoulder, and my entire body reacted instantly—muscles relaxing, breath releasing in a slow exhale I hadn’t realized I was holding.

"Are you alright?" Sebastian murmured, his voice low and intimate. I glanced up, meeting those piercing eyes filled with concern.

I nodded, though my chest felt like it was caving in.

"Oh, please," Arabella laughed, tossing her hair. "Don’t tell me you actually hired an escort for the pack barbecue. That’s a new low, even for you."

"You seriously needed to pay someone to be your date tonight?" Eleanor asked, shaking her head in mock pity. "How pathetic."

"Excuse me?" Sebastian’s voice cut through the air like a blade, his brows lifting in disbelief.

Dressed casually in dark jeans and a fitted shirt, he looked different—softer, yet no less striking. Without his usual tailored suits, he was almost unrecognizable, especially since he’d been keeping a low profile in the media lately. I stayed silent, watching as Donovan’s family dug their own graves with every word.

Sebastian’s expression darkened as he took in their blatant disrespect.

"I can’t believe she even dared to show her face here—but with a rented man?" Margaret scoffed, curling her lip. "You truly have no shame!"

"Is this how you treat your guests?" Sebastian’s voice was dangerously calm, his gaze sharpening. "With this level of disrespect? And who, exactly, is responsible for the wine spilled on her dress?"

"It’s fine," I said quickly, gripping his arm. "Coming here was a mistake. I’d like to leave."

"Not until I find out who did this," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. A flush crept up my cheeks at the protective edge in his voice.

"She deserved it after what she said to me," Arabella snapped, crossing her arms. "Bet you didn’t know she was engaged to my brother. He didn’t want her—just like her birth parents didn’t. You’re wasting your time with this nobody. She’s an abandoned orphan, and no one in their right mind would ever want her. I’m glad my brother came to his senses. You should do the same."

"Is that so?" Sebastian’s voice dropped to a lethal whisper, sending a shiver down my spine.

The air around us grew thick with tension, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of unease cross Arabella’s face.

Sebastian took a slow step forward, his presence commanding the space effortlessly. "Let me make one thing very clear," he said, his voice deceptively soft. "If any of you ever speak to her like that again, you’ll regret it for the rest of your miserable lives."

A stunned silence fell over the group.

Then, Margaret scoffed. "And who the hell are you to threaten us?"

Sebastian’s lips curled into a cold smile. "The man who owns the land this pack stands on."

Their faces drained of color.

I barely had time to process the shock in their expressions before Sebastian turned to me, his hand sliding down to intertwine with mine. "Let’s go."

As we walked away, the whispers erupted behind us—but for the first time in years, I didn’t care.

Because Sebastian Blackwood had just declared war on my behalf.

And I had a feeling he never lost.

The air crackled with tension as Arabella Winslow twirled a lock of her golden hair around her finger, her crimson lips curling into a predatory smile. "How much is she paying you to be here?" she purred, her gaze raking over Sebastian Blackwood's imposing frame. "I'll double it if you walk away with me right now."

"Arabella Winslow!" Eleanor Winslow snapped, though amusement danced in her cold eyes. "You're barely eighteen, and this man could be your father. You don't need to stoop to Lillian's level—paying for company like some desperate social climber."

Arabella pouted, batting her lashes. "Oh, Mother, look at him. He’s magnificent. He could do so much better than that nobody. Her family is bankrupt—if she promised you anything, it’s a lie. But I can give you cash. Now."

Sebastian's golden eyes darkened, a dangerous smirk playing on his lips. "And you think I need your petty bribes?"

Eleanor stepped forward, her designer heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "Listen, whoever you are—this is a family matter." She glared at him as if he were nothing more than a stain on her pristine world. "So unless you have business here, we were in the middle of a discussion."

Sebastian's voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "A discussion that involves throwing wine on her?" His aura thickened, the air growing heavy with the promise of violence. I was stunned the Winslows hadn’t sensed it yet—Sebastian was barely restraining himself, his wolf bristling beneath the surface.

Eleanor scoffed, her manicured finger jabbing toward me. "She disrespected our family."

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. "You are the ones who should be begging for forgiveness." His grip on my shoulder tightened, anchoring me in place before him.

Eleanor’s lips pursed, her arrogance faltering for just a second before she lifted her chin. "Sir, I don’t know who you think you are, but—"

"Daddy?"

The voice was soft, trembling.

Victoria Blackwood stepped around the women, her wide eyes locked on Sebastian. The color drained from Eleanor’s face. Arabella’s mouth fell open, her flirtatious smirk vanishing. Margaret Winslow staggered back, clutching her pearls.

All three women stood frozen, their arrogance shattered in an instant.

Sebastian’s gaze softened only slightly as it landed on his daughter. "I was invited," he said coolly. "I came to pay my respects to my daughter’s future in-laws. But it seems I’m not welcome."

His eyes flicked back to Eleanor, who looked as if she might faint.

"I—I’m so sorry," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Blackwood, I didn’t—"

"Alpha," he corrected, his voice a growl. His eyes flashed gold, his wolf surging forward. "Only those I respect may address me by name. And right now? You’ve earned none of it."

The room fell deathly silent.