Chapter 190

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Sebastian Blackwood’s penthouse, painting the marble floors in warm hues. Lillian stretched beneath the silk sheets, her body still humming from the intensity of last night’s mating bond. Beside her, Sebastian slept soundly, his sculpted chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

She traced the faint scars along his collarbone—remnants of battles fought long before she had entered his life. A small smile tugged at her lips. This man, this powerful Lycan chairman, was hers.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Beatrice’s name flashed across the screen.

Beatrice: Girl, where are you? You were supposed to meet me for coffee an hour ago!

Lillian winced. She had completely forgotten.

Lillian: Sorry! Overslept. Meet you at The Velvet Bean in 30?

She slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Sebastian. The penthouse was eerily quiet, save for the distant hum of the city below. As she padded toward the walk-in closet, her bare feet sank into the plush carpet.

The closet was a masterpiece—rows of designer dresses, tailored suits, and shelves of Italian leather shoes. Lillian reached for a simple emerald-green wrap dress, one that hugged her curves without being too flashy.

A deep voice rumbled behind her. “Going somewhere?”

She turned to find Sebastian leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his dark eyes glinting with amusement.

“Coffee with Beatrice,” she said, fastening the dress behind her neck. “I promised her ages ago.”

He stepped closer, his fingers brushing the exposed skin of her back. “You could stay.”

The heat in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

Lillian laughed, swatting his hand away. “If I stay, we both know coffee won’t be the only thing I’m late for.”

Sebastian smirked but let her go. “Fine. But I’m picking you up afterward. We have that meeting with Alpha Maximilian at three.”

Her stomach twisted. The rivalry between Sebastian and Maximilian Voss was legendary—two Lycan alphas vying for dominance in the business world. And now, she was caught in the middle.

“Do I have to go?” she groaned.

Sebastian’s expression hardened. “He’s been sniffing around our territory. I want him to see exactly who holds my loyalty.”

Lillian sighed. “Fine. But if he tries to pull any shady business tactics—”

“Then we remind him why the Blackwood name is feared,” Sebastian finished, his voice edged with steel.

She kissed him quickly before grabbing her purse. “Try not to burn down the city before I get back.”

His low chuckle followed her out the door.

The Velvet Bean was packed, the scent of roasted coffee beans and cinnamon thick in the air. Beatrice waved from a corner booth, her auburn curls bouncing as she gestured dramatically.

“Finally!” she huffed as Lillian slid into the seat opposite her. “I was starting to think Sebastian had you locked in a dungeon.”

Lillian rolled her eyes. “Please. If anything, I’m the one who keeps him distracted.”

Beatrice waggled her eyebrows. “Oh, I bet you do.”

A server appeared, setting down two caramel macchiatos. Lillian took a sip, savoring the sweetness.

“So,” Beatrice leaned in, lowering her voice. “Any updates on the Evelyn situation?”

Lillian’s grip tightened around her cup. Evelyn—Donovan’s new mate—had been making subtle jabs at her in public, trying to provoke a reaction.

“She’s harmless,” Lillian said, though the lie tasted bitter. “Just desperate for attention.”

Beatrice snorted. “Right. And I’m the Queen of England.”

Before Lillian could respond, the café door swung open. A familiar, unwelcome figure strode in—Evelyn herself, flanked by two smug-looking she-wolves from her pack.

Their eyes locked.

Evelyn’s lips curled into a smirk.

Perfect.

Lillian exhaled slowly. “Looks like coffee just got more interesting.”

The faintest trace of Lillian's scent teased my senses moments ago. I hadn't had the chance to speak with her all day—pack business had kept me swamped. I'd instructed Victoria to message her about rescheduling the tutoring session, then canceled it entirely when the film crew demanded the space for their meeting. They needed to inspect the training grounds for their production.

I assumed Frederick would have taken her straight home after classes, so catching her scent here surprised me. I nearly excused myself to check, but Damien wouldn’t stop talking, his words a relentless drone in my ear. Worse, Celeste clung to my arm like ivy, her fingers possessive. Every time I tried to subtly shake her off, she only tightened her grip. My wolf bristled at her touch, a low growl vibrating in my skull the entire time she sat beside me.

I had to suppress him before he did something reckless.

The moment the agonizing meeting ended—hours later—I was the first out of my seat. My fingers brushed against my phone, ready to call Lillian, when Damien's voice cut through the hallway.

"Alpha Sebastian," he called, halting me mid-step.

I exhaled sharply, schooling my expression before turning. "Yes?"

His smile was too bright. "I was thinking—why not take Celeste to dinner tonight? She could use a break from the crew. Some fresh air, good food..."

I arched a brow. "And why would I do that?"

Damien’s expression softened. "She’s not eating. Losing weight. You know how models are—obsessed with perfection. But I worry. If she were my sister, Colette, I’d want someone to step in." He hesitated. "She admires you. Maybe you could... encourage her."

My jaw tightened. As Lycan Chairman, I couldn’t exactly refuse a plea like that.

"Fine," I muttered. "One dinner."

Damien beamed.

"Perfect," Sebastian murmured, rubbing his palms together with satisfaction. "I'll inform her immediately. My gratitude, Alpha." He gave a respectful bow before turning on his heel to deliver the news to Celeste in the parlor.

Sighing, I checked the time—it seemed my plans to visit the estate tonight were ruined.

I snatched my phone and pulled up Lillian's contact. My thumb hovered over the call button before pressing it. The phone rang once, twice, then silence. No answer.

Frowning, I ended the call before it could redirect to voicemail. A text would have to do.

Me: Hey, sorry, something came up. Can’t make it tonight. I’ll stop by tomorrow instead. Hope you’re doing okay.

I reread the message, lips pressed thin. It wasn’t ideal, but it would have to suffice. I hit send and waited.

Minutes passed.

Finally, a single emoji appeared—a thumbs-up.

My brows knit together.

Was she upset?

"Oh, hey Dad," Victoria called as she descended the staircase, her voice light. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah," I muttered, still staring at my screen. Shaking off the thought of Lillian being angry, I glanced up at my daughter. "Did you see Lillian earlier?"

Victoria hesitated, her teeth catching her lower lip. "Yeah, she was here," she admitted softly. "But she wasn’t feeling well, so she left."

My frown deepened. She had been fine this morning. What could have happened so suddenly?

"I thought I told you to let her know tutoring was canceled?" I reminded her, my tone sharper than intended.

Victoria’s eyes flickered away. "I—I forgot."

A beat of silence stretched between us.

Something wasn’t adding up.

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the Blackwood estate as Lillian stirred awake. Her limbs tangled with Sebastian's beneath the silk sheets, his possessive arm still draped over her waist even in sleep. The scent of bergamot and cedar clung to his skin, a comforting reminder of their passionate night.

A sharp knock shattered the peaceful moment.

"Alpha Blackwood?" Marcus Grayson's urgent voice carried through the mahogany door. "We have a situation at the eastern border."

Sebastian's eyes snapped open, instantly alert. "Report."

"Intruders from the Voss pack. They've crossed the boundary line near the old mill."

Lillian felt Sebastian's muscles tense beneath her fingertips. The Voss pack had been testing their borders for weeks, but this was the first outright violation since their mating ceremony.

"Sound the alert. I want all gammas mobilized in five minutes." Sebastian rolled from bed with predatory grace, already reaching for his combat gear.

Lillian scrambled up, her bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. "I'm coming with you."

Sebastian paused mid-motion, his silver eyes flashing dangerously. "Absolutely not."

"That's my pack too now," she countered, yanking open the wardrobe. Her fingers closed around the leather armor Sebastian had commissioned for her last month. "I won't sit here like some helpless—"

A pained cry from downstairs cut her off. Oliver's voice.

They moved as one, bursting into the hallway to find seven-year-old Oliver clutching his arm, tears streaming down his face. Victoria knelt beside him, her usually perfect blonde hair in disarray.

"He fell from the balcony," Victoria gasped, her hands fluttering uselessly over Oliver's twisted limb. "I told him not to climb but he never listens—"

Sebastian scooped up his son with surprising gentleness. "Marcus, take Lillian to the safe room. Victoria, fetch Dr. Langford."

Lillian opened her mouth to protest when the ground trembled beneath them. Distant explosions echoed from the east.

The attack had begun.