Chapter 139

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Blackwood estate, painting the marble floors in warm hues. Lillian stretched beneath the silk sheets, her body still humming from the intensity of last night’s full moon run with Sebastian. His presence lingered in the room—his scent, his warmth, the possessive way his arms had wrapped around her.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Lillian?" Sophia’s voice carried through the door. "Breakfast is ready. Alpha Blackwood requested your presence in the dining room."

Lillian sighed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Thank you, Sophia. I’ll be down shortly."

She dressed quickly, opting for a simple yet elegant emerald-green dress that accentuated her curves. The Blackwood mansion was alive with activity—maids bustling about, the rich aroma of Lucien’s cooking wafting through the halls.

When she entered the dining room, Sebastian was already seated at the head of the table, his sharp gaze flickering up as she approached. Oliver sat beside him, swinging his legs and grinning at her.

"Morning, Lillian!" he chirped.

"Good morning, Oliver," she replied, ruffling his hair before taking her seat.

Sebastian’s fingers brushed against hers beneath the table, sending a shiver down her spine. "Sleep well?" he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

She shot him a knowing look. "As well as one can after running through the woods all night."

His lips curved into a smirk.

Before she could respond, Marcus entered, his expression grim. "Alpha, we have a situation."

Sebastian’s demeanor shifted instantly. "What is it?"

"The Winslows are making moves again. Donovan was spotted near the eastern border last night."

Lillian’s stomach twisted. Donovan. The name alone was enough to sour her mood.

Sebastian’s grip on his fork tightened. "Send Julian and a team to investigate. I want eyes on him at all times."

Marcus nodded and left swiftly.

Oliver, sensing the tension, poked at his pancakes. "Is everything okay?"

Sebastian forced a smile. "Everything’s fine, son. Eat up."

But Lillian knew better. The Winslows—Donovan especially—were never up to anything good. And if they were encroaching on Blackwood territory, it could only mean one thing: war was brewing.

She met Sebastian’s gaze, a silent understanding passing between them.

Whatever was coming, they would face it together.

"He's a ruthless Alpha," my mother warned, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sebastian Blackwood is a Lycan chairman—powerful, dangerous. You must be careful around him. Show him the respect he demands." I nodded, swallowing hard.

My mother finished cleaning up the spilled wine in the bathroom before turning to leave, her footsteps fading down the hall. Alone with my thoughts, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my chest tight with unease. Just as I reached for the door handle, it swung open before I could turn it.

I froze.

Sebastian stood in the doorway, his towering frame blocking my exit. His dark eyes locked onto mine, unreadable yet intense.

"W-what are you doing in here?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

He stepped inside without a word, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click. The air between us thickened, charged with something unspoken.

"Sebastian—" I started, but he cut me off, pressing me back against the counter. His lips crashed onto mine, hot and demanding, stealing my breath.

Fire ignited beneath my skin, my pulse roaring in my ears. His kiss was relentless, possessive, yet achingly tender—like he couldn’t decide whether to devour me or worship me. When his teeth grazed my bottom lip, a soft whimper escaped me before I could stop it.

Reality snapped back into place.

I pushed against his chest, breaking the kiss with a gasp. "Sebastian, we can’t—not here."

He growled low in his throat, pressing his forehead to mine. "Then let’s leave."

A smile tugged at my lips at his impatience, but guilt quickly smothered it. I couldn’t go—not yet. Not when my mother was still trapped in this viper’s nest.

"I can’t," I murmured. "Not while she’s here. I don’t trust them."

Sebastian pulled back slightly, his frown deepening. "Have they always treated you like this?"

I bit my lip, then nodded.

"They’ve never accepted me."

His aura darkened, a storm brewing in his gaze. "No one disrespects you. Not while I’m here."

I smiled weakly. His protectiveness was intoxicating, but dangerous. "I can handle myself."

"Really?" His voice dripped with skepticism. "Because I recall someone drenched in wine."

"A momentary lapse," I said, lifting my chin. "It won’t happen again."

"Lillian—"

"Please," I begged, my fingers curling into his shirt. "Just let it go."

He studied me for a long moment before exhaling sharply. "Fine. But if they cross the line again, I won’t hold back."

I rose onto my toes, sealing his promise with another kiss. The moment our lips met, my heart stuttered, betraying me. This was supposed to be temporary—just a game to keep others off our backs. But with every touch, every stolen moment, I was falling deeper.

And that terrified me.

Third Person POV

"You humiliated this family in front of Sebastian Blackwood!" Archibald Winslow hissed at his wife, Eleanor. He had just finished smoothing things over with Sebastian before the Lycan chairman excused himself.

"It was an accident," Eleanor protested, though her tone lacked remorse. "I didn’t recognize him."

"And that excuses your behavior?" Archibald’s jaw clenched. "We are nobility. Act like it."

Eleanor scoffed, crossing her arms. "We’re already doing charity by housing the Dumonts. What more do you want?"

The Winslows had taken in Lillian and her mother out of obligation—not kindness. With Vivienne Dumont’s financial ruin, they had no choice but to seek shelter under their former rivals’ roof. Eleanor couldn’t hide her smug satisfaction.

"You’re lucky if I can salvage this," Archibald muttered.

Eleanor didn’t know the extent of Sebastian’s influence—how much their wealth depended on his favor. Crossing him could ruin them.

Her frown deepened.

Why had Sebastian Blackwood appeared at that exact moment? And why did he act as if he knew Lillian? There was something between them—something she intended to uncover.

Because a nobody like Lillian Dumont didn’t belong in Sebastian’s world.

And Eleanor would prove it.