Chapter 163

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian stepped onto the campus quad. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her backpack, her mind still reeling from the confrontation with Donovan the night before. The memory of his cold dismissal burned like ice in her veins.

A familiar voice called out, pulling her from her thoughts. "Lillian! Over here!"

Beatrice waved from beneath the sprawling oak tree, her usual spot between classes. Lillian forced a smile and quickened her pace.

"You look like you haven't slept," Beatrice remarked, eyeing her friend's dark circles.

Lillian sighed, dropping onto the grass beside her. "Because I haven't."

Beatrice frowned. "Still thinking about Donovan?"

Lillian clenched her jaw. "He made his choice. Evelyn can have him."

But the words tasted bitter. No matter how much she tried to convince herself, the bond—once so strong—still ached like an open wound.

Beatrice nudged her shoulder. "Forget him. You deserve better."

Lillian exhaled sharply. "I know. It's just—"

A shadow fell over them.

Sebastian Blackwood stood there, his piercing gaze locked onto Lillian. The Lycan chairman’s presence alone commanded attention, and the students nearby instinctively quieted.

"Miss Whitaker," he said smoothly, "a word?"

Lillian's pulse spiked. What could he possibly want now?

Beatrice shot her a questioning look, but Lillian stood, brushing grass from her jeans. "I’ll catch up with you later."

Sebastian led her away from prying ears, stopping near the edge of the quad. His expression was unreadable.

"I heard about last night," he said finally.

Lillian stiffened. "And?"

His lips curved slightly. "You handled yourself well."

She blinked. That wasn’t what she expected.

Sebastian’s gaze darkened. "But Donovan won’t let this go. He’s already making moves."

A chill ran down her spine. "What do you mean?"

Before he could answer, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening.

"Trouble?" she ventured.

His eyes flicked back to hers. "Pack business. But this conversation isn’t over."

With that, he turned and strode away, leaving Lillian staring after him, her mind racing.

What was Donovan planning?

And why did Sebastian seem so invested in warning her?

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves around her.

Something was coming.

And she wasn’t sure she was ready.

My stomach growled violently, a relentless reminder of my hunger. For days, I had survived on nothing but scraps, my body weakening with each passing hour. When Arabella summoned me to the dining hall, hope flickered in my chest—perhaps tonight, I would finally get a decent meal.

But the sight that greeted me shattered that fragile hope.

The long mahogany table was littered with dirty plates and empty wine glasses, not a single crumb left behind. The rich aroma of roasted meat and herbs still lingered in the air, mocking me.

Arabella smirked, her cold eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "The maids have the night off. Clean this up—alone."

She lounged in a chair, watching like a predator toying with its prey.

Gritting my teeth, I grabbed a silver tray and began stacking the dishes, my hands trembling from exhaustion. Just as I passed her, she stuck out her foot.

I crashed to the floor, the tray slipping from my grasp. Glass shattered, porcelain splintered, and a sharp pain shot through my finger as a shard sliced deep. Blood welled in my palm, crimson against my pale skin.

"Pathetic," Arabella sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "Look at this mess!"

"You tripped me," I whispered, cradling my injured hand.

Her palm struck before I could react. The slap snapped my head to the side, my lip splitting against my teeth. The metallic tang of blood filled my mouth.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Aww, going to cry now?" Arabella taunted, crossing her arms. "No one’s coming to save you. Not even that worthless mother of yours."

At the mention of my mother, something inside me snapped.

"Don’t you dare speak about her," I hissed, my voice shaking with suppressed rage.

I could break her. Right here, right now. My fingers twitched with the urge to strike back—but I couldn’t. Not without consequences.

Helplessness coiled around me like chains.

Arabella laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. "You’re nothing but a worthless slave. How does it feel to be beneath us?"

Then—

The doors burst open with a deafening crash.

Arabella stumbled back, her smirk vanishing as a towering figure filled the doorway.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Sebastian’s voice was a thunderous growl, vibrating through the room. My breath caught as his golden eyes locked onto me, then flicked to Arabella.

His Lycan aura flared, overpowering even his Alpha presence. The air thickened with his fury.

"A-Alpha!" Arabella stammered, her bravado crumbling. "I was just—"

"She’s bleeding," Sebastian snarled, cutting her off. His gaze dropped to my hand, then back to her. "And you’re mocking her?"

The question wasn’t a question.

It was a promise.

And Arabella knew it.

The shattered glass surrounded Lillian like a cruel halo as she lay on the cold marble floor. Her dress was damp from spilled wine, her hands trembling where they pressed against the shards.

"I... uh..." Arabella stammered, her cheeks flushing crimson. "She tripped! I was just about to help her up!" She reached for Lillian’s arm, but Sebastian’s roar shook the entire manor, the force of it nearly knocking Arabella backward.

"Don’t you dare touch her!"

Even I flinched at the fury in his voice. When Sebastian Blackwood was angry, the air itself seemed to tremble.

Archibald burst into the room, his expression darkening the moment he saw Lillian on the floor. His lips curled, no doubt ready to spit some venomous remark—but Sebastian cut him off.

"Is this how you raise your daughter? To humiliate guests in your own home?"

Archibald paled. "What? No, of course not—"

"Then explain why she thinks this behavior is acceptable!" Sebastian snarled, gesturing to Lillian.

Archibald’s gaze flickered between Lillian and Arabella, who was now cowering in the corner. I wished the floor would swallow me whole.

Then the door swung open again.

Sebastian’s POV

"Arabella?" Eleanor’s voice rang out as she stepped inside.

"Mother!" Arabella wailed, throwing herself into Eleanor’s arms. "Lillian pushed me first! I was only trying to clear the dishes, and she snatched the tray from my hands! She fell—I never meant for her to get hurt!"

Eleanor stroked her daughter’s hair. "Of course you didn’t, darling. Your father will handle this." She turned to Sebastian with a placating smile. "Alpha, surely this is just a misunderstanding."

I looked down at Lillian. Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she refused to meet my gaze. My chest tightened.

She’s lying.

Arabella had them all fooled—but not me.

Through the mindlink, I summoned Marcus. "Get me the security footage. Now."

Then I pushed past the crowd, stopping only when I reached Lillian.