Chapter 140

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian stepped onto the campus quad, her boots crunching over scattered acorns. The morning sun cast long shadows, painting the world in golden hues. She inhaled deeply, savoring the quiet before the storm of classes began.

Her phone buzzed—a message from Beatrice.

"Meet me at the café. Urgent."

Lillian frowned. Beatrice rarely used the word urgent.

The campus café was bustling, the hum of conversation mingling with the rich aroma of coffee. Beatrice sat in their usual corner, fingers drumming against the table. Her usually bright eyes were shadowed with worry.

Lillian slid into the seat across from her. "What's going on?"

Beatrice leaned in, voice low. "I overheard Cassandra talking to Professor Sinclair. They’re planning something—something about you and Donovan."

A chill slithered down Lillian’s spine. "What exactly did you hear?"

"Not everything," Beatrice admitted. "But they mentioned the upcoming gala. And Donovan’s name came up more than once."

The gala—an annual event hosted by Sebastian Blackwood’s pack. Lillian had been invited as Sebastian’s guest, a fact that had already stirred whispers. If Donovan was involved, nothing good could come of it.

Lillian’s grip tightened around her coffee cup. "I need to warn Sebastian."

Beatrice nodded. "But be careful. If Cassandra’s involved, she won’t make it easy."

As if on cue, Cassandra herself sauntered into the café, flanked by her usual entourage. Her sharp gaze locked onto Lillian, lips curling into a smirk.

"Trouble’s here," Beatrice muttered.

Lillian forced a calm she didn’t feel. "Let’s go."

They stood, but Cassandra intercepted them at the door. "Running away so soon, Lillian?"

Lillian met her gaze evenly. "Just busy. Unlike some people, I have things to do."

Cassandra’s smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of irritation. "Enjoy your little victory while it lasts. Things are about to change."

The threat hung in the air as Lillian and Beatrice walked away.

"What was that about?" Beatrice whispered.

Lillian exhaled slowly. "I don’t know. But I intend to find out."

The game was far from over. And this time, she wouldn’t be playing by their rules.

The fury that surged through me as I watched Donovan's family torment Lillian was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. It took every ounce of my self-control not to tear them apart right then and there. Staying at this damned barbecue was the last thing I wanted, but Lillian had pleaded with me to let it go—for now. And I wasn’t leaving without her.

My gaze followed her as she stood awkwardly among a group of girls her age, her cheeks flushed pink with discomfort. Tuning out Archibald Winslow’s meaningless chatter beside me, I sharpened my Lycan hearing to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"It must be humiliating watching your fated mate with another she-wolf," one of them sneered.

"Honestly, I’m surprised you even showed up," another added with a mocking laugh.

A low growl rumbled in my chest, startling the entire table. The sudden silence snapped me back to reality, and I forced a tight smile as curious eyes turned toward me.

"Apologies," I said smoothly, rising to my feet. "If you’ll excuse me for a moment."

I didn’t have a plan, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to sit there while they belittled her. Striding toward them, I caught the tail end of their cruel remarks before sliding an arm possessively around Lillian’s shoulders.

"Ladies," I greeted coolly, watching their jaws drop in unison. "Mind if I steal Miss Dumont away?"

"A-Alpha Blackwood?" one stammered, her eyes wide with shock. "I—it’s an honor—"

I ignored her, my expression icy.

The other girl blinked between us, suspicion flickering in her gaze. "I didn’t realize you and Lillian were acquainted."

Lillian opened her mouth to respond, but I cut in.

"My relationship with Miss Dumont is none of your concern," I said curtly. "Now, if you’ll excuse us."

Without waiting for protest, I guided Lillian away, her fingers tense under my touch. She shot me a bewildered look, her face still flushed.

"I could’ve handled that," she muttered, staring at the ground.

"You shouldn’t have to," I murmured back.

We returned to the table, and I nudged a plate of food toward her. She picked at it silently, avoiding eye contact.

"Everything alright?" Archibald asked, glancing between us.

I nodded. "As a Lycan, I’m attuned to everything around me. I overheard some… unpleasant remarks. Thought I’d intervene."

"My apologies, Alpha," he said quickly. "This isn’t the impression I wanted to give. Our pack isn’t usually like this."

I took a slow sip of wine, my gaze sharpening. "If my daughter is to marry into your family, trust must be established. If I can’t trust you to respect packmates, how can I trust you with my blood?"

"You have my word, Alpha," he insisted. "We won’t disappoint you."

"We’ll see," I said quietly.

The next hour passed in tense conversation before guests finally began leaving.

"I’m heading out," Vivienne Dumont told Lillian. "Coming with me?"

Lillian hesitated, her eyes flickering to me briefly before answering. "I have work tonight. I’ll just get an Uber."

Her mother nodded, pulling her into a quick hug. "Think about what we discussed," she whispered. "We’ll talk more later."

Lillian stiffened but nodded, watching her mother leave with an unreadable expression. The lost look in her eyes told me she’d had enough.

"I should go as well," I announced, standing. My gaze locked onto Lillian. "I’ll drive you."

She opened her mouth to refuse, then sighed in resignation. "Thank you," she murmured.

"You’re not leaving with your mother?" Eleanor Winslow asked, brows raised.

"I have work," Lillian explained.

"Oh? What do you do?" Eleanor pressed, skepticism lacing her tone.

"I’m a tutor," Lillian blurted. "For a child in Alpha Blackwood’s pack. That’s why he’s giving me a ride."

Eleanor studied us for a long moment before nodding, though her disbelief was obvious. Not that I cared.

As we walked toward my car, Lillian exhaled shakily. "That was… intense."

I smirked. "Get used to it, little wolf. I don’t tolerate disrespect—especially not toward you."

Her breath hitched, but she said nothing.

Good. She’d learn soon enough—when it came to her, my patience had limits. And Donovan’s family had just crossed them.

"Come on, Lillian," I urged, already turning on my heel to leave. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, the tension in my shoulders betraying my calm facade.

Eleanor Winslow hurried after me, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "Thank you for coming, Alpha. It was truly an honor to meet you." Her voice dripped with false sweetness, the kind that made my skin crawl.

I paused just long enough to glance over my shoulder, my lips twisting into a cold smile. "I wish I could say the same." The shock that flashed across her face was almost satisfying—almost.

Lillian fell into step beside me as we strode toward the exit, her presence a quiet comfort. The air outside was crisp, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside the Winslow estate.

"," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head. Some offers weren't worth the price.