Chapter 197

The crisp morning air carried the scent of pine as Lillian stepped onto the balcony of Sebastian Blackwood’s estate. The sun had barely risen, casting a golden glow over the sprawling gardens below. She wrapped her arms around herself, the thin silk of her robe doing little to ward off the chill.

Last night’s confrontation with Donovan still weighed heavily on her mind. His betrayal had cut deeper than she cared to admit, but what stung more was the smug satisfaction in Evelyn’s eyes when she had clung to his arm.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, turning just as Beatrice pushed the door open, balancing a tray of steaming coffee and pastries.

"You’re up early," Beatrice remarked, setting the tray on the small table near the balcony. "Couldn’t sleep?"

Lillian sighed, running a hand through her tousled hair. "Too much on my mind."

Beatrice poured her a cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling the space between them. "Donovan isn’t worth losing sleep over, you know."

"I know," Lillian murmured, taking the cup. "But it’s not just him. It’s everything—this whole mess with the pack, Sebastian’s responsibilities, Oliver’s safety…"

Beatrice gave her a knowing look. "You care about them."

Lillian hesitated before nodding. "More than I should."

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the distant chirping of birds. Then, Beatrice’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, her expression darkening.

"What is it?" Lillian asked.

Beatrice hesitated before answering. "It’s from Victoria. She’s demanding a meeting with Sebastian today."

Lillian’s grip tightened around her cup. "About what?"

Beatrice met her gaze. "She claims she has proof that you’re manipulating Sebastian for your own gain."

Lillian scoffed. "That’s ridiculous."

"Is it?" Beatrice arched a brow. "You’ve been spending a lot of time with him. People are talking."

Lillian set her cup down with a sharp clink. "Let them talk. I’m not doing anything wrong."

Beatrice sighed. "I believe you, but Victoria won’t stop until she gets what she wants. And right now, she wants you out of the picture."

Lillian’s jaw clenched. "Then let her try."

The determination in her voice surprised even herself. She had spent too long running, too long letting others dictate her life. If Victoria wanted a fight, she would give her one.

Beatrice smirked. "That’s the spirit. Just be careful—she plays dirty."

Lillian nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. She wouldn’t back down. Not this time.

As the first rays of sunlight fully illuminated the estate, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever Victoria had planned, she would face it head-on.

And she wouldn’t be alone.

Sebastian’s deep voice echoed from the doorway. "Good. You’re both awake."

Lillian turned to see him leaning against the frame, his piercing gaze locked onto hers. "We have a problem."

She straightened. "Victoria."

His lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Exactly. And we’re going to handle it—together."

The challenge in his tone sent a thrill down her spine.

Game on.

"You dare speak of friendship?" Victoria snarled, closing the distance between us with predatory grace. Her voice dripped with venom. "You were the one who betrayed me from the start. You lied to my face, and now you have the audacity to act offended because I finally see through you? Pathetic. My father deserves better than to be manipulated by someone like you!"

A chill slithered down my spine.

"What are you talking about?" I forced the words out, though my throat tightened with guilt. "I never lied to you—"

Even as I said it, the weight of my deception pressed down on me. But there was no way Victoria could know the truth about Donovan and me... right? The wild fury burning in her eyes told me otherwise.

"You've been lying since the moment we met!" she hissed, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "You swore nothing was happening between you and Donovan, but you deceived me, Lillian! You never told me you were his fated mate!"

My breath caught.

How did she find out? Panic clawed at my chest, leaving me speechless.

"Nothing to say now, is there?" she mocked, shaking her head, her expression twisting between disgust and pity. "Have you been sleeping with him this whole time? Is that why you kept quiet? Am I the fool here? Are you and Donovan still—"

"No!" I cut her off sharply. "Donovan and I are over."

"Don’t insult my intelligence," she spat, tears glistening in her eyes. "You don’t just walk away from a fated mate. It’s impossible. Either you did something unforgivable to drive him away, or you’re still tangled up in this sick game—using me to get close to my father. I don’t know what your endgame is, but it won’t work!"

"I’m not playing you, Victoria," I insisted, my own frustration rising. "I’m not the one you should be afraid of!"

"I can’t believe a single word out of your mouth!" she snapped, stepping so close I could feel the heat of her anger. "You’re a liar. I thought you were my friend, but that was just another lie. You were never my friend. You were scheming against my fiancé from the beginning. You wanted him for yourself!"

"Donovan isn’t the man you think he is," I pleaded, desperate to make her see the truth. "He’s the one you should be angry with—"

Tears streaked down her cheeks.

"No, you’re the mastermind here," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Donovan would never betray me like this."

Was she serious?

"Victoria—"

"Shut up!" she roared.

Before I could react, her fingers tangled in my hair, yanking me down with brutal force. The world tilted as I crashed to the ground, pain exploding through my skull.

And then—darkness.

I didn’t want to hurt her, even though I knew I could end this fight in seconds. My only goal was to protect myself, so I relied on my defensive instincts to dodge her wild swings.

The scene in the villa foyer was pure chaos—two girls shrieking, tangled in a pathetic mess on the marble floor. I couldn’t even imagine how ridiculous we must have looked.

Then, before I even saw him, I felt him.

Sebastian’s presence crashed over us like a tidal wave, his Alpha aura so potent it stole the breath from my lungs. Victoria barely flinched—probably because they shared the same bloodline, muting the full force of his dominance.

But for me?

It was agony.

A scream tore from my throat as my skull threatened to split open. The pressure forced me onto my knees, my nose dripping blood onto the pristine tiles.

"Victoria," Sebastian growled, his wolf simmering just beneath his skin. "Explain. Now."

"She betrayed me!" Victoria sobbed, her voice trembling. "She’s been with Donovan this whole time—she’s his fated mate!"

The crushing weight of Sebastian’s power lifted, and I gasped, finally able to breathe again. I didn’t dare move. My face was a wreck—blood smeared, tears I hadn’t even realized I’d shed streaking my cheeks.

"What did you just say?" Sebastian’s voice dropped dangerously low.

Victoria wiped her eyes, her voice thick with venom.

"I said she’s been sleeping with my fiancé!"

At that exact moment, the front door clicked shut.

All three of us turned.

And there he stood—wide-eyed, frozen in the doorway.

Donovan.