Chapter 17

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Lillian stretched lazily, her muscles still sore from yesterday’s training session. She had barely slept, her mind racing with thoughts of Donovan’s sudden reappearance and the way his presence had unsettled her.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, sitting up.

The door creaked open, and Beatrice poked her head in, her dark curls bouncing. "You’re finally awake! I was starting to think you’d sleep through the entire day."

Lillian rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?"

"Almost noon," Beatrice said, stepping inside. She carried a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of pastries. "I figured you’d need this after last night."

Lillian took the coffee gratefully, inhaling the rich aroma. "You’re a lifesaver."

Beatrice flopped onto the bed beside her. "So, are we going to talk about what happened?"

Lillian sighed. "What’s there to talk about? Donovan showed up uninvited, made a scene, and left. Typical."

Beatrice arched a brow. "Typical? He practically declared war on Sebastian in front of everyone. And the way he looked at you—"

"I don’t want to think about it," Lillian cut in sharply.

Beatrice hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But you can’t avoid this forever. He’s still your fated mate, whether you like it or not."

Lillian’s grip tightened around the cup. "Not anymore. He chose Evelyn. That bond is broken."

"Biologically, maybe. But emotionally?" Beatrice gave her a pointed look.

Lillian set the coffee down, her appetite gone. "I need to get ready. Sebastian said he’d meet me for lunch."

Beatrice smirked. "Ah, yes. The mysterious Lycan chairman who’s suddenly taken such an interest in you."

Lillian rolled her eyes. "It’s not like that. He’s just… helping me."

"Right. Because powerful Lycan chairmen always go out of their way to help random werewolf college students."

Lillian ignored her, heading to the closet. She pulled out a simple sundress, something light and comfortable.

Beatrice watched her for a moment before sighing. "Just be careful, okay? I don’t trust Donovan, but Sebastian isn’t exactly harmless either."

Lillian paused, meeting her friend’s gaze. "I know."

The restaurant Sebastian had chosen was elegant but understated, tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Lillian hesitated at the entrance, suddenly self-conscious.

A deep voice spoke behind her. "You look beautiful."

She turned to find Sebastian standing there, his dark eyes warm. He wore a tailored suit, the fabric hugging his broad shoulders perfectly.

"Thank you," she murmured, suddenly aware of how close he was.

He offered his arm. "Shall we?"

Lillian took it, letting him guide her inside. The hostess led them to a private table by the window, where sunlight streamed in, casting patterns on the white tablecloth.

Sebastian pulled out her chair, his fingers brushing lightly against her shoulders as she sat. The touch sent a shiver down her spine.

"You’re nervous," he observed, taking his seat across from her.

Lillian fiddled with her napkin. "A little."

He leaned forward slightly. "You don’t need to be. This is just lunch."

She exhaled, forcing herself to relax. "Right. Just lunch."

The waiter arrived, presenting them with menus. Lillian scanned hers quickly, though her mind was elsewhere.

Sebastian set his menu down. "Have you decided?"

She blinked. "Oh. Um, the salmon, please."

He nodded to the waiter, who took their orders and disappeared.

Silence settled between them. Lillian traced the rim of her water glass, searching for something to say.

Sebastian broke the quiet first. "Donovan won’t bother you again."

Her head snapped up. "What did you do?"

His expression was unreadable. "Nothing drastic. Just made it clear that harassing you is… unwise."

Lillian swallowed. "I can handle Donovan."

"I know you can. But you shouldn’t have to."

The intensity in his gaze made her breath catch. There was something possessive in it, something primal.

The waiter returned with their food, breaking the moment. Lillian focused on her meal, though her appetite had vanished again.

Sebastian watched her for a long moment before speaking again. "There’s something I need to tell you."

She set her fork down. "What is it?"

He hesitated, then reached into his jacket pocket. "This arrived for you this morning."

He placed a small, sealed envelope on the table. Lillian recognized the handwriting immediately.

Donovan’s.

Her stomach twisted. "What does it say?"

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "I don’t know. But whatever it is, you don’t have to face it alone."

Lillian stared at the envelope, dread pooling in her chest. Whatever Donovan wanted, it couldn’t be good.

And yet, she couldn’t ignore it.

She reached for the letter, her fingers trembling slightly.

This wasn’t over. Not even close.

He always claimed that surprises were his specialty—that the best gifts were the ones I never saw coming. So I stopped mentioning the moonstone necklace, hoping he'd remember on his own. But he never did. Or so I thought.

Watching Donovan fasten that very necklace around Victoria's slender throat felt like a blade twisting in my gut. The world tilted, bile rising in my throat.

"Isn't it exquisite?" Victoria preened, fingers brushing the gemstone. "He's absolutely perfect." Donovan's arm encircled her waist, pulling her flush against him as he pressed a kiss to her temple. My vision blurred.

"Quite the statement piece," Sebastian remarked, though his piercing gaze never left Donovan. "I'm relieved to see your loyalties are... properly aligned."

"Without question, sir." Donovan's smirk was a knife in the dark as he locked eyes with me. "My priorities have never been clearer."

Third Person POV

The revelation that Lillian wasn't Sebastian's lover should've been a relief. Instead, Donovan's fury simmered beneath his polished facade. He'd ensured she was unemployable—yet here she stood, in the Landry estate, wearing Blackwood colors.

Her proximity to Sebastian was a provocation. But with Victoria scrutinizing his every reaction, Donovan schooled his features into adoration. Victoria was a masterpiece—flawless, pedigreed, and utterly oblivious to being a pawn in his ascension to Redmoon Alpha.

"We have so many wedding details left," Victoria sighed, nuzzling his shoulder. "I can't wait to be yours forever."

"A striking match," Sebastian said, though his attention lingered on Donovan's rigid posture. "See that you treat my daughter as she deserves."

"Always." Donovan's smile didn't reach his eyes. He felt Lillian's glare like physical heat, reveling in her anguish. That necklace had been her obsession—a trinket she'd admired for months. He'd denied her deliberately, savoring the power of withholding.

But now? Her tutoring position for Oliver Landry was a defiance he couldn't stomach. Sebastian operated outside pack hierarchies, paying handsomely for discretion. Worse, the boy—notoriously difficult—had apparently taken to Lillian.

The way she fidgeted beside Sebastian fed Donovan's spite. She might wear another man's insignia, but her trembling hands betrayed the truth: she was still his. Every stolen glance, every flinch at his touch—proof he owned her heartache.

Their eyes met across the room. Her pain was a vintage he drank deeply, lips curving as she looked away first.

Let her enjoy this petty victory. His fingers tightened around Victoria's waist. By week's end, Lillian would be jobless—and he'd make sure she never forgot who held her leash.

The game was far from over.

A girl like Lillian was only fit for one purpose—lying on her back.

Donovan had connections. Powerful ones. The kind that could make Lillian vanish from Royal Academy without a trace. No job. No education. No future.

He smirked, imagining her desperation. She had two choices now—either submit to him willingly or lose everything she'd ever worked for.

The game was his to play. And he intended to win.