Chapter 151

The morning sun filtered through the heavy drapes of Sebastian Blackwood's bedroom, casting golden streaks across the rumpled sheets where Lillian still lay sleeping. Her dark hair fanned across the pillow like spilled ink, one arm curled protectively around little Oliver who had crawled into their bed during the night.

Sebastian stood by the window, already dressed in his customary black suit, watching the peaceful scene with an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. The sight of his mate and son sleeping so contentedly made something primal within him settle. His phone buzzed silently in his pocket - Marcus Grayson, his Beta, no doubt with the morning security report.

He stepped into the hallway, answering in a hushed tone. "Report."

"All quiet overnight, Alpha," Marcus responded. "Though we did intercept another attempt from Donovan's pack to cross our borders. They were... persistent."

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "Double the patrols. And send Theodore to my office in an hour." He ended the call before Marcus could respond, his mood already darkening at the mention of Donovan.

Back in the bedroom, Lillian was stirring, her sleepy eyes blinking open. "Morning," she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep. Oliver remained curled against her, his small fingers clutching her nightgown.

"Sleep well?" Sebastian asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from Lillian's face. The simple domesticity of the gesture still felt foreign to him, yet undeniably right.

Lillian nodded, then frowned as she caught his scent. "You're tense. What happened?"

"Nothing for you to worry about," he deflected automatically, then sighed when she gave him that look - the one that said she wasn't buying his protective bullshit. "Donovan's pack tested our borders again last night."

Lillian sat up carefully so as not to disturb Oliver. "He won't stop, will he?"

Sebastian's hand found hers, their fingers intertwining. "No. But that's my problem to handle, not yours."

"Except it is my problem," Lillian countered, her voice firm. "He was my mate first, remember? And now with Evelyn pregnant..." She trailed off, the unspoken implications hanging between them.

Downstairs, the grandfather clock chimed seven times. Sebastian stood. "We'll discuss this later. You have class at nine, and I have a meeting with the regional Alphas."

Lillian opened her mouth to argue, but Oliver chose that moment to wake up, his sleepy mumble of "Daddy?" derailing the conversation. Sebastian leaned down to press a kiss to his son's forehead, then one to Lillian's lips - a silent promise that they would continue this discussion.

As he strode down the hallway toward his office, Sebastian's mind raced with contingency plans. Donovan was becoming bolder, and with Evelyn's pregnancy, the stakes had escalated. The Winslow family would undoubtedly rally behind their son, especially with Eleanor Winslow's influence.

He paused outside Victoria's room, hearing his daughter's quiet sobs. The engagement to Donovan had been broken months ago, but the wounds clearly still festered. Sebastian clenched his fists. Another reason to make Donovan pay for his betrayal.

Theodore was waiting when Sebastian entered his office, the older man's posture stiff with tension. "Alpha," he greeted formally. "I've compiled the latest intelligence on the Winslow pack's movements."

Sebastian took the offered folder, flipping through the pages with growing unease. "They're mobilizing," he observed grimly. "Preparing for war."

Theodore nodded. "Reginald Winslow has been meeting with Alpha Maximilian Voss. If they form an alliance..."

"Then we'll be fighting on two fronts," Sebastian finished. He closed the folder with a snap. "Call in our allies. And prepare the safe houses - if it comes to war, Lillian and Oliver will be evacuated immediately."

As Theodore left to carry out his orders, Sebastian turned to the window overlooking the training grounds below. Lillian was there now, dressed in workout gear, going through combat drills with Professor Montgomery. Even from this distance, he could see the determination in her movements, the way she threw herself into each strike and block.

His mate was strong - stronger than she knew. But would it be enough when the storm finally broke?

Lillian's POV

My breath hitched as I stared at Sebastian, completely stunned.

"Did I hear you correctly?" My voice came out barely above a whisper.

"I asked you to move in with me," he repeated calmly, those piercing silver eyes never leaving mine.

Even hearing it a second time, my mind refused to process the words.

"You can't be serious..." I murmured, more to myself than to him.

"Deadly serious," he countered.

"You want me to live... here?" I gestured vaguely around the training grounds. "With your family?" His expression darkened slightly as he shook his head.

"No. I own an estate twenty minutes north," he explained. "Fully staffed. I use it when overseeing northern territory affairs." My eyebrows shot up—I hadn't realized he maintained multiple residences within his pack lands. My shock must have been evident because his gaze softened imperceptibly.

"You need proper accommodation," he stated matter-of-factly. "Consider this my offer."

"And you'd be living there too?"

A weighted pause.

"I can't reside there permanently without raising suspicions," he admitted. "But I'm frequently in the north for business. The arrangement wouldn't change much—except now you'd have proper security." His jaw tightened. "Oliver needs stability. I won't abandon him at the main villa."

I nodded slowly, understanding the unspoken implications.

"Can I have time to consider?"

"Take what you need." He checked his watch. "I have meetings. We'll speak later."

As his imposing figure disappeared down the gravel path, I turned back to Oliver, who was still practicing archery with single-minded focus.

"Enough arrows for today," I called, forcing cheer into my voice. "Sword drills next, then I'll make us grilled cheese."

His answering grin could've powered the entire packhouse.

Third Person POV

What private discussion had Lillian and Sebastian been having?

The sight of them speaking intimately made Victoria's stomach churn. She'd spent the last forty-eight hours wrapped in Donovan's arms, him whispering sweet nothings to make up for his past neglect. She hadn't confronted him about his lingering feelings—what mattered was that he'd chosen her, hadn't he?

Then why did Lillian keep appearing wherever Donovan went?

Was the pathetic girl clinging to lost love? Victoria's nails bit into her palms at the thought. Lillian had rejected the bond first—she'd forfeited all rights to Donovan's affection. He belonged to Victoria now, and she'd be damned before letting some washed-up mate steal him back.

Ducking behind a marble pillar, Victoria watched Lillian return to Oliver. Their laughter carried across the courtyard as they transitioned to swordplay. Something about lunch was mentioned.

One thought crystallized in Victoria's mind: Lillian needed to disappear from pack lands. Permanently.

By the time she stormed into the kitchen, her mask of composure was flawless. The staff nodded respectfully—none suspected the tempest beneath her polished exterior. All her life, she'd craved genuine love. Donovan had been her closest taste of it... until Lillian's shadow ruined everything.

The kitchen door creaked open.

"Victoria?" Lillian's hesitant voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.

She whirled around, cheeks flaming.

"Lillian! How long—"

"Just walked in," Lillian said, shutting the door. "You seemed... troubled."

"Perfectly fine," Victoria lied through a saccharine smile.

Lillian moved toward the refrigerator, skepticism written across her features. "It's just... you've been avoiding me lately. Did I do something wrong?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Victoria scoffed, the lie smoother now. "We're sisters, aren't we?"

The way Lillian's fingers paused on the jam jar told Victoria she wasn't convinced. "Making Oliver's favorite," Lillian said lightly. "Strawberry jam sandwiches with potato crisps."

Victoria's gaze tracked Lillian's movements as an idea took root. If subtle hints wouldn't drive Lillian away... more drastic measures might be necessary.

The real question was—how far was she willing to go?

A simple idea could lead to dire consequences if not handled carefully. Lillian was completely absorbed in her sandwich, oblivious to Victoria's movements. Seizing the opportunity, Victoria quietly slipped toward one of the drawers, her fingers brushing against the polished wood as she checked for the item she needed.

Sebastian was meticulous—almost obsessive—about keeping spare Epi-pens in nearly every room of the mansion for Oliver. A precaution, given the boy's severe allergies. Victoria knew this. And right now, that knowledge was her advantage.

Her lips curled into a faint smirk as her fingers closed around the slender device.