Chapter 214

The crisp morning air carried the 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 beyond. She tightened the silk robe around her, her fingers brushing against the delicate fabric—another extravagant gift from Sebastian, one she still wasn’t used to accepting.

Inside, the mansion was already alive with activity. The clatter of dishes from the kitchen signaled Lucien’s breakfast preparations, while Giselle’s sharp voice directed the maids with practiced efficiency. Lillian exhaled, her breath forming a small cloud in the chilly air.

Three months.

That was how long she’d been living under Sebastian’s roof, bound to him not just by fate but by a promise neither of them could break. The memory of Donovan’s betrayal still stung, but the sharp edges of that pain had dulled with time. Now, there was only the quiet hum of uncertainty—what did the future hold for her in this world of Lycan politics and power plays?

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Lillian?" Beatrice’s voice was muffled through the wood. "You decent?"

Lillian chuckled. "Since when do you care?"

The door swung open, revealing Beatrice in a rumpled T-shirt and pajama bottoms, her dark curls a wild halo around her face. She held two steaming mugs, one of which she thrust toward Lillian.

"Drink. You look like you need it."

Lillian accepted the coffee, the rich aroma wrapping around her like a warm embrace. "What’s the occasion?"

Beatrice flopped onto the plush armchair by the fireplace, her expression unusually serious. "I heard something last night. Something about Donovan."

Lillian’s grip tightened around the mug. "What about him?"

"He’s back in town. And he’s not alone."

A cold weight settled in Lillian’s stomach. "Evelyn?"

Beatrice nodded. "They were spotted at The Silver Moon. Apparently, they’re making quite the scene."

Lillian’s jaw clenched. The Silver Moon was a high-end club frequented by the elite of their world—Lycan and werewolf alike. If Donovan was there with Evelyn, it wasn’t just a casual outing. It was a statement.

Before she could respond, the door opened again, and Sebastian strode in, his presence filling the room effortlessly. Dressed in a tailored suit, his dark hair slightly tousled, he looked every bit the powerful Lycan chairman he was. His sharp gaze flicked between them.

"Am I interrupting?"

Beatrice smirked. "Just girl talk. Nothing you’d be interested in."

Sebastian arched a brow but didn’t press. Instead, he turned to Lillian. "We have a meeting with Alpha Harrison in an hour. He’s pushing for an alliance."

Lillian frowned. "Since when do we need alliances with him?"

Sebastian’s lips curved into a humorless smile. "Since Donovan started making moves of his own."

The unspoken tension in the room thickened. Beatrice whistled low under her breath. "Well, isn’t this turning into a delightful morning?"

Lillian set her coffee down, her mind racing. If Donovan was making a play for power, and Alpha Harrison was involved, then the fragile peace they’d built was about to shatter.

And she was right in the middle of it.

Sebastian’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen, his expression darkening. "We need to leave now."

Lillian didn’t ask why. The look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know.

The game had just changed.

And the stakes?

They’d never been higher.

Lucien raised his brows at me, his expression a mix of amusement and irritation.

"I think she enjoys playing games with me. What do you think?" He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'm just tired of it. Even I deserve a little more respect than that, don't I?"

"Well, yes, of course," I agreed, stirring my coffee absently. "But maybe she doesn’t want to play games anymore. Perhaps that’s what she’s been trying to tell you since last night."

He shot me a sharp look, his golden eyes narrowing.

"It doesn’t matter," he said dismissively, leaning back in his chair. "We don’t have a future. This was only ever meant to be fun. Nothing more."

I gave him a knowing smirk, taking a bite of my fluffy omelet. The rich flavors burst on my tongue, and I couldn’t help but hum in satisfaction. "I don’t think that’s true," I countered. "You wouldn’t be this upset if you didn’t care for her at least a little."

Lucien rolled his eyes, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. "I like sex," he admitted bluntly. "She knew what this was from the beginning. I don’t do commitment. And she’s not the only one I’ve been with this week."

I wrinkled my nose in distaste. "Disgusting, Lucien."

He laughed, plucking an olive from my plate and tossing it into the air before catching it effortlessly in his mouth. Cocky bastard.

"Well," I said pointedly, "when you finally decide to take a relationship seriously, you should keep Giselle in mind."

His lips curled into a smirk as he poured himself another cup of coffee. "I’ll think about it."

I smiled to myself, satisfied with my meddling.

After breakfast, I went to find Giselle, wanting to make sure she was okay. Unsurprisingly, she was just as conflicted as Lucien—confused, upset, and clearly smitten. Just as I’d suspected, she wanted more than just a fling. She’d spent all night agonizing over it, mustering the courage to tell him, only for him to vanish before she could. And this morning? He’d brushed her off completely.

When I found her, she was crying softly in one of the mansion’s quiet corridors. We had a quick but heartfelt talk before she hurried off to her duties, her eyes still red-rimmed.

The rest of the weekend passed in solitude. I wasn’t surprised that Sebastian hadn’t come back—after practically throwing myself at him, I hadn’t expected him to.

Monday arrived, and I met Beatrice in the student lounge to study for upcoming exams. I wanted to ask her about her mate and what she knew, but judging by the way she—

The way Lillian avoided eye contact and shifted uncomfortably told me everything. She clearly didn’t want to talk about it. What she probably didn’t realize was that she’d already let slip enough for me to piece things together. Not wanting to embarrass her further, I stayed quiet, waiting for her to bring it up first.

But she never did.

By the time Frederick arrived to pick me up and drive me back to the Blackwood estate, the sun had dipped low in the sky. My breath hitched when I spotted Sebastian standing outside the grand entrance, his broad frame silhouetted against the fading light.

Had he been waiting for me?

"Hey…" I murmured as I stepped out of the car, my pulse quickening as I approached him. There was something almost boyish about the way he stood there, hands tucked into his pockets, like a loyal hound waiting for its master.

"Hey," he replied, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.

I tilted my head. "What are you doing out here?" I tried to keep my tone light, but the slight edge in my voice betrayed me. Two days. Two whole days without so much as a text. Not that I was keeping track—okay, maybe I was. Just a little.

"Oliver’s inside," he said, nodding toward the mansion. "He’s been waiting for you."

My stomach twisted with disappointment. Right. Of course. Oliver was still training here until the film crew wrapped up at the villa. "Thanks," I muttered, moving to walk past him.

Before I could take another step, his fingers curled around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

"About the other night," he said abruptly, his grip firm but not painful. My heart stuttered at the mention of that night. When I lifted my gaze to meet his, the intensity in his dark eyes made my cheeks burn. "I’m sorry."

I frowned. "For what?"

"For leaving like that," he admitted, his thumb brushing absently over my pulse point. "You were drugged, confused—"

"I remember," I cut in, my voice barely above a whisper.

His brows shot up. "You remember?"

I bit my lower lip, the memories flooding back—his hands on my skin, the way he’d soothed me through the feverish haze of my heat. "Yeah. And I never got to thank you… for, uh… helping me." My eyes dropped to the ground, suddenly fascinated by the cobblestone beneath my feet.

Silence stretched between us as he studied me, his gaze heavy. Then, just when I thought the tension would suffocate me, he spoke again.

"I’m glad it was me."

My head snapped up, surprise flickering through me.

"Yeah," I exhaled softly, my voice barely above a whisper. His lips curved into that familiar, heart-stopping smile as he closed the distance between us.

"Next time you need help... promise you'll call me," he murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I nodded eagerly, my pulse racing.

"Okay," I managed to say, breathless. "I promise."

Before I could steady myself, his arms encircled me, pulling me flush against his chest in a warm, possessive embrace. The scent of him—spice and something uniquely him—wrapped around me, making my head spin. For a fleeting moment, time seemed to pause, the world narrowing to just the two of us.

Then—

"Lillian!" Oliver's voice shattered the quiet, his impatient shout echoing from the doorway. "I'm ready for tutoring! Stop hugging my dad and get in here!"

The spell broke.

I stiffened, my face burning even hotter as Sebastian chuckled against my hair before reluctantly letting me go.

Third Person POV

Donovan arrived at Lillian’s school late on Monday evening, timing his arrival just as her classes were about to end. He had spent the entire weekend watching her, but she hadn’t left the Blackwood estate in the past two days—nor had Sebastian returned since Friday night. Frustrated, Donovan had no choice but to park outside the school and wait, his grip tightening on the steering wheel as he kept his eyes locked on the entrance.

When Lillian finally emerged, she slipped into the same sleek black car she always used—Sebastian’s driver’s vehicle. Donovan’s jaw clenched. They were probably heading to her tutoring session with Oliver. Following them now would be pointless if they were just going back to the villa… but he couldn’t stop himself.

Keeping a safe distance, he trailed them, weaving through traffic to avoid suspicion. But when they entered Silver Crescent territory and took an unfamiliar route, Donovan’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t the way to the villa. After a few more minutes, they arrived at a grand mansion in the northern borderlands.

Donovan pulled over, watching as Lillian stepped out of the car. His breath hitched when he spotted a tall figure waiting at the entrance—Sebastian. The Lycan chairman stood there, his posture stiff yet expectant as Lillian approached. They exchanged words, and Donovan strained to listen, rolling down his window just enough to sharpen his hearing. But as a future Alpha, his senses weren’t strong enough yet.

Then, something worse happened.

Sebastian stepped closer, and Donovan saw the way Lillian’s cheeks flushed, her lips curving into a soft smile. The way Sebastian wrapped his arms around her—too intimate, too possessive—sent a surge of fury through Donovan. His wolf snarled, claws digging into his palms as he fought the urge to lunge from the car.

Instead, he grabbed his phone and snapped several photos, capturing every damning moment.

Just then, Oliver’s voice rang out from inside the mansion, calling for Lillian. Sebastian ran a hand through his dark hair, watching her go before exchanging a few words with the driver and following her inside.

Donovan’s blood boiled. Without hesitation, he pulled up Victoria’s contact. He had to be careful—if she suspected he was stalking Lillian, she’d leave him for good.

Attaching the photo, he typed:

Donovan: I was looking for your father to discuss pack matters. You mentioned he was at the northern mansion, so I went to find him… and saw this.

He hit send, then waited, his chest tight with anticipation.

Meanwhile, Victoria sat alone in the villa when the message came through. The film crew had gone into the city for dinner after a long day of shooting, and Oliver had left for his tutoring session.

Now, she stared at the screen, her fingers trembling.