Chapter 181

The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of pine as Lillian stepped onto the balcony of Sebastian Blackwood’s sprawling estate. The sun had barely risen, casting a golden hue over the dense forest surrounding the property. She tightened the silk robe around her, her fingers brushing against the delicate fabric.

Inside, the mansion buzzed with quiet activity. The clinking of silverware echoed from the dining room, where Oliver, Sebastian’s seven-year-old son, was already seated, his small hands gripping a fork with determination.

“Good morning, Lillian,” Oliver chirped, his bright eyes lighting up at the sight of her.

She smiled, ruffling his hair. “Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”

Before he could answer, the deep timbre of Sebastian’s voice cut through the air. “He was up half the night reading under the covers again.”

Lillian turned to see Sebastian leaning against the doorway, his broad frame filling the space effortlessly. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he’d just run his fingers through it, and his piercing gaze held a warmth that made her pulse quicken.

“I was not,” Oliver protested, though the guilty flush on his cheeks betrayed him.

Sebastian arched a brow. “Then why did I find three books hidden under your pillow?”

Oliver huffed, crossing his arms. “Maybe they were already there.”

Lillian stifled a laugh, shaking her head. “You’re as stubborn as your father.”

Sebastian’s lips quirked into a smirk. “And you encourage him.”

The playful banter was interrupted by the arrival of Marcus Grayson, Sebastian’s beta, who cleared his throat. “Alpha, the council has requested an emergency meeting.”

Sebastian’s expression darkened. “What now?”

“It’s about Alpha Harrison,” Marcus said, his tone grave. “He’s been spotted near our borders again.”

Lillian’s stomach twisted. The memory of that night—Harrison’s predatory gaze, the way he’d cornered her when she was vulnerable—flashed in her mind.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “I’ll handle it.” He turned to Lillian, his voice softening. “Stay close to the house today.”

She nodded, though unease settled in her chest.

As Sebastian strode out, Oliver tugged at her sleeve. “Lillian, will you help me with my homework later?”

She forced a smile. “Of course.”

But her thoughts were elsewhere.

Because if Harrison was bold enough to return, it meant one thing—he wasn’t done with her yet.

And this time, she wouldn’t be caught off guard.

"He specifically said he doesn't want Lillian Dumont to return to his office. Any further questions?"

The receptionist's voice dripped with condescension, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping impatiently on the desk.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. My breath hitched as I stared at her, stunned. Had Sebastian really given such an order? The thought alone made my chest tighten painfully. I took an involuntary step back, my confidence crumbling under her smug gaze.

"You can't be that surprised," she drawled, rolling her icy blue eyes. "Last time you were here, security had to escort you out. Did you really think he'd welcome you back?"

My teeth sank into my lower lip. Logically, I understood her words, but my mind refused to accept them. This had been my last desperate attempt to fix things, and now—

A sharp inhale. No point staying.

I turned to leave, humiliation burning my cheeks, when a familiar voice froze me mid-step.

"Lillian?"

Of course. Just when I thought this couldn’t get worse.

Slowly, I turned to face him, forcing a strained smile. "Hello, Alpha. I was just leaving—apparently, I'm not welcome here."

Sebastian’s expression darkened. "Who told you that?"

My gaze flicked to the receptionist, whose face had gone beet red.

"Y-you did, Alpha," she stammered, shrinking under his glare. "You said if she ever came back, I was to turn her away."

His jaw clenched. "That was before." His voice was dangerously low. "And unless you want to be unemployed, you’ll remember that I tore that note off your desk yesterday."

Her eyes darted to her notepad—empty.

"Next time you don’t check with me first," he growled, "you’re fired."

She trembled, barely managing a weak "Y-yes, Alpha" before dropping her gaze to the desk.

Without another word, Sebastian grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the elevator. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating, all the way to his office.

The elevator ride to his office floor was silent, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. Only when we rounded the corner and reached his desk did he finally turn to face me, leaning back against the polished mahogany surface. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Sebastian asked, his voice laced with amusement.

My cheeks flamed under his scrutiny, and for a fleeting second, I questioned my impulsive decision. But now that we were alone, my nerves weren’t from uncertainty—they were from anticipation.

"I... uh..." I stammered, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

His brows arched as his eyes swept over me, lingering on the familiar trench coat draped over my shoulders. Recognition flickered in his gaze, and his smirk widened into a full, lopsided grin. "Well, well," he drawled, amusement dancing in his voice. "Is this a sequel I wasn’t aware of?"

Heat rushed to my face again, but his teasing tone steadied me. Things were different now. I wasn’t the same hesitant girl who had bargained with him before. I had already shared his bed, lived under his roof—there was no room for hesitation this time.

Without a word, I undid the belt of the trench coat, letting it slip open to reveal the delicate lace beneath. His breath hitched, his eyes darkening as they roamed over me. I shrugged the coat off completely, letting it pool at my feet before taking a deliberate step back, giving him an unobstructed view.

"I just wanted to drop by," I purred, tilting my head slightly.

His jaw tightened, his voice dropping to a low, rough timbre. "I can see that."

The way he looked at me sent a thrill down my spine. Emboldened, I arched a brow. "Do you like what you see?"

His gaze snapped back to mine, intensity burning in his eyes. "More than words can say," he admitted, his voice strained.

The air between us crackled with unspoken desire, and I knew—this time, I wasn’t leaving without exactly what I wanted.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Blackwood Estate as Lillian paced nervously in the garden. Her fingers twisted the hem of her blouse, the fabric stretching taut between her restless fingers.

"Miss Lillian?" A deep voice startled her. She turned to find Sebastian Blackwood standing at the arched garden entrance, his broad shoulders blocking the sunlight. "You seem troubled."

Lillian swallowed hard. "I was just thinking about... everything." Her gaze dropped to the rose bushes between them. "Donovan's sudden reappearance. Evelyn's threats. And now Victoria's engagement party..."

Sebastian stepped closer, the scent of sandalwood and power enveloping her. "None of that matters now." His fingers brushed against hers, sending electric currents up her arm. "You're under my protection."

"But your pack—"

"Will accept my choice." His voice held that unshakable alpha certainty that always made her knees weak. "Unless you've changed your mind about us?"

Lillian's breath hitched. The memory of their last kiss burned through her hesitation. "Never."

A satisfied growl rumbled in Sebastian's chest just as Oliver came barreling around the hedge. "Dad! Aunt Penelope says the cake's—" The boy skidded to a stop, eyes darting between them. "Are you two doing the mushy stuff again?"

Sebastian's lips twitched. "Go tell your aunt we'll be right in."

As Oliver scampered off, Lillian bit her lip. "We should—"

"Not yet." Sebastian caught her wrist, pulling her behind a towering hydrangea bush. His mouth crashed down on hers with possessive intensity, stealing her breath and thoughts alike. When they broke apart, both were panting. "That's what you do to me, little wolf," he murmured against her lips.

Footsteps crunched on gravel nearby. "Mr. Blackwood?" Theodore's polite cough came from the other side of the bushes. "The Darkmoon Pack delegation has arrived early."

Sebastian's grip tightened momentarily before releasing her. "Duty calls." His thumb brushed her swollen bottom lip. "We'll continue this tonight."

Lillian's pulse hammered as she watched him stride away, every inch the powerful Lycan chairman. She pressed cool fingers to her flushed cheeks. How had her life become this complicated fairytale?

Beatrice found her moments later, eyebrows raised. "You look thoroughly kissed. Do I need to have the 'birds and bees' talk with our resident alpha?"

"Shut up," Lillian groaned, but couldn't suppress her smile.

Inside the grand ballroom, crystal chandeliers glittered above the gathering elite. Lillian spotted Victoria immediately—the alpha's daughter stood regally beside Donovan, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

Then the doors swung open again.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as Alpha Maximilian Voss entered with his entourage. The rival Lycan chairman's gaze locked onto Sebastian with predatory intensity.

"Blackwood," he purred. "How... domestic you've become." His cold eyes slid to Lillian. "And this must be the little werewolf causing all the drama."

Sebastian moved instantly, placing himself between them. "Careful, Voss."

The tension crackled like live wire. Lillian's claws pricked at her fingertips. Something told her this gala just became a battlefield.

And she was right in the crosshairs.