Chapter 211

The night air was thick with tension as Lillian stood frozen in the dimly lit hallway of Sebastian Blackwood’s mansion. Her heart hammered against her ribs, each beat echoing the dread pooling in her stomach. The letter clutched in her trembling fingers felt like a ticking time bomb—its contents threatening to shatter the fragile peace she had fought so hard to maintain.

"Meet me at midnight. The truth about Donovan and Evelyn isn’t what you think."

The words, scrawled in an unfamiliar hand, had been slipped under her door moments ago. Lillian had debated ignoring it, but curiosity—or perhaps desperation—had won out. Now, as she crept toward the designated meeting spot, every shadow seemed to twist into something sinister.

A floorboard creaked beneath her foot, and she flinched.

"Relax, little wolf. It’s just me."

The voice, smooth as velvet, sent a shiver down her spine. Lillian spun around to find Marcus Grayson leaning against the wall, his piercing amber eyes gleaming in the low light.

"You?" she whispered, her grip tightening on the letter. "You’re the one who sent this?"

Marcus pushed off the wall, his towering frame closing the distance between them. "I figured you deserved to know the truth before it’s too late."

Lillian swallowed hard. "What truth?"

A smirk tugged at his lips, but there was no warmth in it. "That Evelyn isn’t just Donovan’s new mate. She’s working with Alpha Harrison to undermine Sebastian’s pack from within."

The revelation hit her like a physical blow. Lillian staggered back, her mind racing. Evelyn had always been too sweet, too accommodating—had it all been an act?

"Why are you telling me this?" she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marcus’s expression darkened. "Because if Sebastian falls, we all fall. And whether you like it or not, you’re the key to stopping it."

Before she could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps sent them both into silence. Marcus pressed a finger to his lips and melted into the shadows, leaving Lillian alone with the weight of his words—and the chilling realization that the game had just gotten far more dangerous.

Donovan had grown more cautious around Victoria ever since he nearly lost her—twice. With Lillian back in the mansion tutoring Oliver, he made sure to keep a close watch on her. Though he still intended to make her his mistress despite his engagement to Victoria, he had to tread carefully now. One wrong move, and Victoria would catch on. So, he observed from a distance, maintaining just enough space to avoid suspicion.

Yet, Victoria had been acting… off. Jumpy. As if she expected someone to leap out from the shadows at any moment. She avoided Oliver more than usual, and Lillian? She treated her like a disease. Donovan understood the latter—ever since Victoria discovered Lillian was his true fated mate, she’d been wary. He’d spun a convincing lie, of course. Claimed Lillian was still obsessed with him, only tutoring Oliver to get close. A complete fabrication, but necessary. If Victoria learned the truth? She’d leave without hesitation.

Since the revelation, Victoria had refused to touch him. Not intimately, at least. They hadn’t slept together—he’d insisted on waiting until marriage—but they’d shared plenty of heated kisses before. Now? Nothing. A full week had passed since she found out, and she recoiled at even the slightest brush of his fingers. He knew she was still furious about the deception, no matter how much he blamed Lillian.

The mansion had been chaotic lately, swarming with a film crew shooting some movie. Victoria hovered around, trying to win Celeste’s favor, and Donovan played the doting fiancé, supporting her every move. He wasn’t entirely sure why she was so determined to set her father up with Celeste. Sure, the actress was stunning, and having her as a stepmother would be… interesting. But Victoria’s fixation bordered on obsession.

Donovan had also noticed Sebastian’s absence. The Lycan chairman rarely appeared at the mansion anymore. Was it because Celeste was constantly draped over him?

"Where’s your father been?" Donovan asked over dinner. He’d taken Victoria out, hoping to reassure her of his devotion—even if it was all an act.

She glanced up, lips pursed in a frown. "What do you mean?"

"He hasn’t been around much. Only when the film crew needs him." Donovan leaned forward. "Any idea where he’s been?"

She shrugged. "Probably his office. He is the Lycan chairman. Busy man."

Donovan nodded—but he’d already checked. Earlier that evening, he’d gone to Sebastian’s office, hoping to discuss Redmoon Pack affairs. His secretary claimed he hadn’t been in for days due to the film shoot.

So if Sebastian wasn’t at his office… and he wasn’t at the mansion…

Where the hell was he?

"Are you absolutely certain there's nowhere else he might have gone?" Donovan inquired, his piercing gaze studying Victoria intently.

She hesitated for a brief moment before realization flickered across her features.

"Oh, he mentioned having business up north," she replied with a casual shrug. "We own another estate there—rarely used, but Father stays there occasionally when work takes him that way."

Donovan gave a thoughtful nod, already filing the information away. Perhaps I should pay that place a visit, he mused. The idea of dropping by unannounced was reckless—Sebastian Blackwood wasn’t the kind of man who appreciated uninvited guests—but curiosity gnawed at him. What kind of business would pull the Lycan chairman away so abruptly? And more importantly, was there a way Donovan could insert himself into the situation? After all, ingratiating himself with Sebastian remained his ultimate goal.

After their meal, Donovan escorted Victoria home, pausing at her doorstep. "I’ll see you tomorrow," he murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She offered a small, distracted smile. "Thank you for dinner," she said softly, though her voice carried an undercurrent of something heavier.

Donovan didn’t miss the shadow of worry darkening her eyes. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss. For a moment, she melted against him, the tension in her frame easing—just before he reluctantly pulled away.