Chapter 184

The crisp morning air carried the scent of pine as Lillian stepped onto the balcony of Sebastian Blackwood's sprawling estate. Below, the pack grounds buzzed with activity—warriors training, maids bustling about their duties, and children laughing as they darted between the trees. It was a stark contrast to the chaos that had consumed her life just months ago.

Her fingers tightened around the railing as she recalled Donovan's betrayal. The memory of his sneering face as he paraded Evelyn around campus still burned like acid in her veins. But now, she was no longer the naive girl who had believed in fated mates. She was stronger.

A deep voice broke through her thoughts. "You're brooding again."

Lillian turned to find Sebastian leaning against the doorway, his piercing silver eyes studying her. The Lycan chairman was dressed casually in a black turtleneck that accentuated his broad shoulders, his dark hair slightly tousled from the morning breeze.

"I'm not brooding," she countered, lifting her chin. "I'm strategizing."

Sebastian smirked, stepping closer. "About?"

"About how to make Donovan regret ever crossing me."

His expression darkened at the mention of Donovan. "He already does," he murmured, his voice laced with a growl. "But if you want to ensure he never forgets, I have a proposition for you."

Lillian arched a brow. "I'm listening."

Sebastian closed the distance between them, his presence overwhelming. "The annual Lycan Summit is next week. Every influential pack leader will be there—including Donovan."

Her pulse quickened. "And?"

"And," he continued, his gaze never leaving hers, "I want you by my side. Not as my guest, but as my equal. Let them see the woman who commands respect, not the girl they once underestimated."

Lillian's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "Oh, I'll do more than that. I'll make sure Donovan chokes on his regret."

Sebastian chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "That's what I like to hear."

As he turned to leave, Lillian caught his wrist. "Why are you doing this for me?"

He paused, his expression unreadable for a moment before he answered, "Because you're worth it."

The words settled over her like a promise—one she intended to keep him to.

"We truly appreciate this, Alpha," Damien Laurent said thoughtfully.

I gave a firm nod.

"How about I take you and your team out for a tour of the pack today?" I suggested. "Unless you're eager to start work immediately—then I'll leave you to it."

Damien exchanged glances with his crew, who nodded eagerly. "We weren't planning to begin until tomorrow, so a tour would be perfect," he replied. "Honestly, we could all use a break. The last few days have been nonstop... an evening out sounds ideal."

"Good. Then let's get moving," I said, gesturing for them to follow.

The rest of the evening was spent exploring the pack grounds, showcasing everything we had to offer. My packmates were thrilled to meet the film crew, especially Celeste Devereaux—she was, after all, the most famous among them.

Celeste handled the attention with practiced grace, posing for photos and signing autographs without complaint. She soaked up the admiration like sunlight, which didn’t surprise me in the slightest.

Later, I took them to dinner in the city. Celeste made sure to sit beside me, chattering nonstop. I wasn’t oblivious—I knew exactly what she was doing. The way she kept fluttering her lashes, the lingering glances—it was all too obvious. But the truth was, I had zero interest. My focus was solely on the film project. Celeste was just another woman throwing herself at me, and frankly, it was tiresome.

My wolf bristled at her proximity, making it easier to maintain distance. Yet she was relentless. By the time the evening ended, exhaustion weighed on me. All I wanted was to return to my mansion and see Lillian—to pick up where we'd left off in my office earlier.

I told Victoria I had urgent business up north tonight and instructed her to stay home with Oliver. She agreed without question, though I could see the curiosity in her eyes.

After dropping the crew off at the villa, I bid them goodnight, promising to see them in the morning. As I left, I could feel Celeste’s gaze burning into me until I was completely out of sight.

This was going to be a long few weeks.

Third Person POV

"I know that look," Colette Morel said, crossing her arms as she watched Sebastian Blackwood’s car disappear down the street.

Celeste stood frozen in the doorway, her pulse racing. In all her years as an actress and model, she had never encountered a man as striking as Sebastian Blackwood. She’d heard the rumors, of course—but nothing could have prepared her for the reality.

Her fingers tightened around the doorframe. This wasn’t just attraction.

It was obsession.

Celeste leaned against the balcony railing, her gaze lingering on the imposing figure of Sebastian Blackwood across the courtyard. The golden afternoon light caught the sharp angles of his jaw, making him look every bit the untouchable Lycan Alpha he was.

"You've got it bad for the Alpha," Colette teased, nudging her shoulder playfully.

Out of everyone on set, Celeste had grown closest to Colette. In an industry built on façades, their friendship was as real as it could get—though even that had its limits.

Celeste exhaled dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "How could I not? Look at him. That man is a walking fantasy."

Colette rolled her eyes. "A man like that doesn’t stay single for long. There’s always a reason."

"I heard his fated mate passed away years ago," Celeste murmured, lowering her voice. "Left him with their daughter. The girl’s a bit... much, but for Sebastian Blackwood? I’d endure a hurricane."

Colette crossed her arms. "We’re here to work, Celeste. Not to hunt for men. Damien poured everything into this film—it has to go smoothly." As Damien’s sister, she took his ambitions seriously.

Celeste smirked, tossing her hair over one shoulder. "Oh, it will go smoothly. But why can’t I multitask?"

"Multitask?" Colette arched a brow.

"Exactly." Celeste’s grin turned wicked. "Why can’t I nail my performance and nail Sebastian Blackwood?" She leaned in, eyes gleaming with determination. "Now that I’ve set my sights on him, I’m not backing down. I want him, Colette. And what I want, I get."

With that, she sauntered back inside, leaving Colette shaking her head in exasperation before following.

Neither noticed Victoria lurking in the shadows of the terrace, her lips curling into a satisfied smile.

Operation: Separate Lillian from Her Father was officially underway.

And it was going to be far easier than she’d anticipated.

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