Chapter 15

The morning sun cast golden rays through the tall windows of the Blackwood estate, painting the grand halls 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—even though he had already left for an early meeting.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Lillian?" Harper’s voice was gentle but firm. "Breakfast is ready. Alpha Blackwood requested that you join him in the dining hall."

Lillian sighed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Tell him I’ll be down in ten."

She dressed quickly, opting for a simple yet elegant navy-blue dress that hugged her curves. The Blackwood mansion was a labyrinth of luxury, but she had memorized the path to the dining hall by now.

Sebastian sat at the head of the long mahogany table, his sharp features softened slightly by the morning light. His dark eyes flicked up as she entered, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sleep well?"

"Like a log," she lied, sliding into the seat beside him. The truth was, she had spent half the night replaying the way his fingers had brushed against hers under the moonlight.

Theodore, the ever-efficient butler, placed a plate of fresh fruit and pastries in front of her. "Coffee, Miss?"

"Yes, please. Black."

Sebastian raised a brow. "No cream or sugar?"

"I like my coffee like I like my men," she quipped before she could stop herself. "Strong and bitter."

A slow grin spread across his face. "Is that so?"

Heat crept up her neck. She busied herself with her food, avoiding his gaze.

The moment was shattered when Oliver burst into the room, his small face alight with excitement. "Lillian! You’re awake!"

She grinned, ruffling his hair. "Good morning, trouble. What’s got you so hyper?"

"Dad said we’re going to the lake today! You’re coming, right?"

Sebastian cleared his throat. "If she wants to."

Oliver pouted. "She has to."

Lillian laughed. "Well, if it’s an order from the future Alpha, how can I refuse?"

Sebastian’s phone buzzed, his expression darkening as he read the message. "Victoria’s back."

The air in the room shifted. Lillian’s fork stilled. "And?"

"She’s bringing Donovan with her."

Her stomach twisted. The man who had once been her fated mate—now engaged to Sebastian’s daughter. The irony was almost laughable.

Oliver, oblivious to the tension, tugged at her sleeve. "You’ll still come to the lake, right?"

She forced a smile. "Of course."

But as Sebastian’s gaze locked onto hers, she knew—today was going to be anything but simple.

"I just wanted to see how she'd react," Oliver said with a careless shrug.

Sebastian's jaw tightened, his voice a low growl. "That's enough. You're grounded until further notice."

"W-what?" Oliver's eyes widened, tears welling up instantly. "But... it was just a joke!"

I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the boy. It was just water—a harmless prank. But I wasn’t about to interfere with Sebastian’s discipline.

Theodore rushed out of the villa, towel in hand, having witnessed the scene.

"Go to your room, Oliver," Sebastian commanded, then turned his sharp gaze to Theodore. "Take him."

"Yes, Alpha," Theodore murmured, bowing his head before guiding Oliver inside.

I took the towel from Theodore and moved toward Sebastian, pressing it against his soaked back. His shirt clung to him, nearly transparent, revealing the sculpted muscles beneath. My mind flashed back to that night in the VIP suite—my fingers tracing the same ridges, the same powerful contours. A shiver ran through me.

Without thinking, my free hand slipped beneath his shirt, fingertips grazing his skin. His muscles tensed under my touch, his breathing growing heavier, matching the quickening rhythm of mine. The air between us thickened, charged with something unspoken.

I bit my lip as my fingers trailed lower, skimming the dip of his spine.

"Ollie, what happened?" A soft, feminine voice shattered the moment.

I jerked my hand away, cheeks burning. What was I doing? And why hadn’t he stopped me?

Sebastian adjusted his shirt with a sharp tug, clearing his throat before snatching the towel from my grasp. I dropped my hands to my sides, staring at the ground, willing the heat in my face to fade.

"Dad grounded me," Oliver mumbled.

Victoria—because of course it was her—arched a delicate brow. "And what did you do this time?"

"I just wanted to have fun," Oliver admitted, scuffing his shoe against the ground. "I sprayed them with water."

Theodore gave a polite nod. "I was just escorting him to his room. Excuse us, Madam Victoria."

At the sound of her name, I finally looked up.

Victoria stood before us, flawless as ever in a soft pink sundress that hugged her curves. Her golden hair was woven into an elegant braid, her makeup minimal—because she didn’t need it. The sight of her twisted something sharp in my chest.

She watched Theodore lead Oliver away before turning to her father with a frown.

"What was that about?" Victoria asked, her voice laced with curiosity as she studied her father’s tense expression.

"Your brother and his endless games," Sebastian muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening. "That boy needs to learn some respect."

As if the universe itself was mocking me, Donovan rounded the corner at that exact moment, completely unaware of the thick tension hanging in the air. Victoria’s sharp eyes flickered toward me, her brow furrowing in confusion before she turned back to her father with a silent question. But my attention was locked onto Donovan—his presence alone was enough to drown out everything else.

The second his gaze landed on me standing beside Sebastian, his entire body stiffened. His eyes darkened, a storm of irritation brewing in their depths.

I bit down on my lower lip, refusing to look away. A low, almost imperceptible growl rumbled from his chest, sending a shiver down my spine.

Victoria’s head snapped toward him, her arms crossing over her chest as she frowned. "Who is this woman?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Do you know her?"

The air between us crackled with unspoken tension, and I could practically see the gears turning in Donovan’s mind—weighing his next words carefully.

But before he could answer, Victoria’s piercing gaze shifted back to me, suspicion and something else—something like worry—flashing in her eyes.

And in that moment, I knew.

This wasn’t over. Not even close.