Chapter 165

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the lavish bedroom, rousing Lillian from her restless sleep. She blinked against the light, her body still aching from the previous night’s confrontation with Donovan. The memory of his betrayal twisted like a knife in her gut, but she refused to let it consume her.

Rolling out of bed, she padded to the window, taking in the sprawling estate below. The Blackwood pack lands were vast, a testament to Sebastian’s power and influence. Yet, despite the luxury surrounding her, Lillian couldn’t shake the unease that clung to her like a second skin.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, turning as the door creaked open.

Beatrice stepped inside, her usual bright smile dimmed by concern. "You look like you barely slept," she observed, crossing the room to squeeze Lillian’s shoulder.

Lillian sighed, rubbing her temples. "Too much on my mind."

"I get it," Beatrice murmured. "But you can’t let Donovan get to you. He’s not worth it."

Lillian nodded, though the words did little to ease the sting. "I know. But seeing him with Evelyn last night—" She cut herself off, shaking her head. "It shouldn’t hurt this much."

Beatrice’s expression softened. "Because you still care. And that’s okay. But don’t forget—you have someone who actually deserves you now."

Lillian’s lips twitched at the mention of Sebastian. The Lycan chairman had been her unexpected rock, his quiet strength a balm to her fractured heart.

"Speaking of," Beatrice continued, mischief lighting her eyes, "Sebastian asked me to tell you he’s waiting downstairs. Something about a surprise."

Lillian arched a brow. "A surprise?"

Beatrice grinned. "You’ll see."

Curiosity piqued, Lillian quickly dressed in a simple yet elegant sundress before heading downstairs. The grand foyer was empty, save for Theodore, who offered her a knowing smile before gesturing toward the gardens.

Stepping outside, Lillian’s breath caught.

The garden had been transformed. Strings of delicate fairy lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a soft glow over the lush greenery. At the center stood Sebastian, his broad frame silhouetted against the morning light.

He turned as she approached, his dark eyes warm. "You’re awake."

Lillian smiled despite herself. "You didn’t have to do all this."

Sebastian closed the distance between them, his fingers brushing hers. "I wanted to." His voice was low, intimate. "After last night, I thought you could use something good."

Her chest tightened. He always knew exactly what she needed.

Before she could respond, Oliver came bounding into the garden, his small face alight with excitement. "Lillian! Dad’s taking us on a trip!"

Lillian blinked, glancing at Sebastian. "A trip?"

Sebastian’s lips curved. "A getaway. Just the three of us. Somewhere quiet, where you can relax."

The offer was unexpected, but the warmth in his gaze made her heart flutter. Maybe this was exactly what she needed—time away from the pack politics, the painful reminders of Donovan.

She squeezed Oliver’s hand, then met Sebastian’s eyes. "I’d love that."

His smile deepened, and for the first time in days, Lillian felt a flicker of hope.

But as they made plans, a shadow moved at the edge of the garden. Evelyn stood there, her expression unreadable before she turned and disappeared into the manor.

Lillian’s stomach knotted.

The past wasn’t done with her yet.

My lips parted to protest—I couldn’t just disappear with him without raising suspicions. But before a single word could escape, a sharp knock echoed against the door. My entire body stiffened, heat flooding my cheeks. Sebastian, however, remained infuriatingly calm. He stepped back, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips before he winked. The gesture only made my face burn hotter. I wanted to lunge forward, to stop him from opening that door, but it was too late.

With one smooth motion, he pulled it open.

My mother stood frozen on the threshold, her eyes wide as saucers. She stared up at Sebastian, her frame trembling slightly before her gaze darted to me.

"Lillian, sweetheart," she breathed, brushing past him to enter the bathroom. Her hands fluttered over me like nervous birds. "Are you alright? What happened?"

"I'm fine," I rushed out, forcing a smile. "Really. Sebastian took care of it. Good as new." I lifted my hand, and she cradled it gently, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

I knew she was aware—of everything. The whispers, the rumors, the danger. But she played her part perfectly, pretending ignorance for my father’s sake. She wanted him free, and she’d endure any lie, any pretense, to make that happen.

Once, I would’ve done the same for Donovan.

"I’m so sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"Mom, it’s nothing," I lied smoothly, squeezing her fingers. "Just an accident."

Sebastian’s expression darkened. He knew the truth—had seen the violence firsthand—and the fury rolling off him was palpable. I gave him the slightest shake of my head as my mother pulled me into a crushing hug. Don’t.

He exhaled sharply, arms folding across his broad chest.

"I have an estate in my territory," Sebastian said abruptly as my mother released me. "Fully staffed. I’m rarely there—only when business calls me to the Northern Border. I want you both to stay there. No conditions."

My breath caught. He wasn’t just offering me an escape—he was offering her one too. My heart swelled, tears pricking at my lashes.

I expected her to leap at the chance. But when silence stretched between us, my stomach twisted. Her face was unreadable, her fingers knotting in the fabric of her skirt.

"Alpha," she said finally, voice steady. "Might I speak with my daughter alone?"

Sebastian’s brows lifted slightly. He met my gaze, a silent question in his eyes, but I was just as lost. After a beat, he nodded.

"Of course," he murmured. "Take your time."

One last lingering look, and then he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.

I turned to my mother—only to find her staring at me with a sad, knowing smile.

"Mom, what's going on?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly as I searched her face for answers.

"First, I need to ask you something," she began, arching a delicate brow. "Is there something between you and Sebastian Blackwood?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and my breath hitched. The question caught me completely off guard.

"No, of course not," I lied, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap. "Why would you think that?"

She shrugged, though her gaze remained sharp. "He seems... unusually attentive toward you. I know you tutor his son, but the way he looks at you—it's more than just professional concern."

"Nothing is happening," I insisted, staring down at my hands to avoid her piercing eyes. "Is that really why you wanted to talk to me?"

"No," she murmured, stepping closer and taking my hands in hers. Her grip was warm but firm. "Lillian... I can't leave here."

My chest tightened. "What? Why not?"

She sighed, her expression heavy with resignation. "Because without the Winslows, we have no one to help us."

My stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

"They've offered me a position," she explained softly. "I’ll stay in one of their guest rooms, eat with the family, and handle basic household tasks. In return, they’ll give me enough money to pay off your father’s debts."

My lips pressed into a thin line. "They want you to be their maid?"

I had seen how the Winslows treated their staff—cold, dismissive, as if they were invisible. The thought of my mother subjected to that made bile rise in my throat.

"It’s not like that," she said quickly. "They still treat me like an old friend. Like family."

Tears pricked at my eyes. "Mom, please. Sebastian is offering us a way out—"

"Is he?" she interrupted, her voice sharp. "Has he actually offered to pay your father’s debts? Have you even asked him?"

I swallowed hard.

The truth was, I hadn’t.

Sebastian knew I needed money—from all those desperate, foolish attempts to seduce him before I truly knew him—but I had never told him the full extent of my family’s struggles.

And now, faced with my mother’s question, shame burned through me.

Because I didn’t want him to know.

I didn’t want him to see just how broken we really were.

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian stepped onto the balcony of Sebastian Blackwood's penthouse suite. Below her, the city lights twinkled like scattered diamonds against the velvet night. She tightened the silk robe around her shoulders, the luxurious fabric whispering against her skin.

Inside, Donovan's voice rose in anger. "You can't keep her locked away forever, Blackwood!"

Lillian's fingers curled around the railing. Even after all these months, hearing Donovan's voice sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. The mate bond might have been broken, but some wounds never fully healed.

The sliding glass door opened behind her. "You should come inside," Sebastian murmured, his deep voice laced with concern. "It's getting cold."

She turned to find him silhouetted against the golden light spilling from the suite. Even in casual attire - dark slacks and an untucked white shirt - the Lycan chairman exuded power. His silver eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, a reminder of the predator beneath the polished exterior.

"Are they still arguing?" Lillian asked, nodding toward the living area.

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "Evelyn is demanding we return you to campus immediately."

A bitter laugh escaped Lillian's lips. "Of course she is." Evelyn had been Donovan's new mate for barely three months, yet she acted like she owned him - and by extension, Lillian.

Sebastian stepped closer, his warmth radiating through the chilly night air. "I told them you're staying here until we resolve this situation with Alpha Harrison."

Lillian's pulse quickened at the memory of that awful night at the frat party. Alpha Harrison's leering face, the way his hands had groped at her dress before Sebastian's enforcers intervened...

"Thank you," she whispered. "For everything."

Inside, the argument reached new heights. "This is kidnapping!" Evelyn shrieked.

Lillian squared her shoulders and marched back into the suite. "I'm here of my own free will," she announced, cutting through the tension like a knife.

Donovan's head snapped up. His hazel eyes widened at the sight of her in Sebastian's robe, his nostrils flaring at the mingled scents. A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Lillian..."

"Don't," she warned, holding up a hand. "You lost any right to question my choices when you rejected our bond."

Evelyn sneered. "You're just a pathetic little girl playing house with a Lycan chairman. Do you really think someone like Sebastian Blackwood would settle for a college student?"

Before Lillian could respond, Sebastian was at her side, his arm sliding possessively around her waist. "Careful, Evelyn," he purred, his voice deceptively soft. "You're speaking about my future Luna."

The room went deathly silent. Even Beatrice, who'd been quietly observing from the sofa, dropped her phone with a clatter.

Donovan's face turned ashen. "You're claiming her?"

Sebastian's fingers tightened on Lillian's hip. "I already have."

Lillian's breath caught in her throat. This wasn't part of their arrangement. Sebastian had offered her protection, not... this.

Evelyn let out a shrill laugh. "This is ridiculous! She's not even of age to be a Luna!"

"Enough!" Sebastian's command shook the walls, his alpha power rolling through the room like thunder. "Marcus, escort our guests out."

As Marcus Grayson ushered the sputtering couple toward the elevator, Beatrice rushed to Lillian's side. "Did you know about this?" she hissed.

Lillian could only shake her head, her mind reeling. When the elevator doors closed, Sebastian turned to her, his expression unreadable.

"We need to talk," he said quietly.

Beatrice squeezed Lillian's hand. "I'll be in the guest room if you need me."

As her best friend retreated, Lillian faced Sebastian. "What was that about?"

His silver eyes burned with intensity. "I meant every word, Lillian. I want you as my Luna."

Her heart stuttered. "But... why?"

A slow, predatory smile curved his lips. "Because from the moment I first scented you, I knew you were mine. The only reason I waited this long was to give you time to heal from Donovan's rejection."

Lillian's knees weakened. This couldn't be happening. Not with Sebastian Blackwood, of all people. The most powerful Lycan in the country. A man with a past darker than midnight.

And yet... when he looked at her like that, she could almost believe it was possible.

Almost.

The elevator dinged, interrupting the charged moment. Marcus's voice crackled through the intercom. "Sir, we have a situation. Alpha Harrison is downstairs with his entire pack."

Sebastian's expression hardened. "Lock down the building. No one gets past security."

As he strode toward the door, Lillian caught his arm. "Wait! This is my fight too."

He turned, cupping her face with surprising gentleness. "No, little wolf. This is exactly why I claimed you tonight. So the entire world would know - touch what's mine, and you answer to me."

Before she could respond, he kissed her forehead and was gone, leaving Lillian standing in the middle of the luxurious suite, her entire world turned upside down.

Outside, the distant sound of howls split the night air. The battle for her future had begun.