Chapter 218

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the Blackwood estate as Lillian stirred beneath silk sheets. Her fingers brushed against the empty space where Sebastian should have been, the lingering warmth suggesting he'd only recently left. She stretched, her muscles protesting slightly from last night's passionate encounter.

Downstairs, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with Lucien's famous blueberry pancakes. Lillian padded into the kitchen to find Oliver already seated at the marble island, his legs swinging as he enthusiastically stabbed at his breakfast.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Beatrice chirped from her stool, her neon pink nails tapping against her coffee mug. "Sebastian left early for some pack business. Said he'd be back by lunch."

Lillian accepted the steaming cup Giselle offered, inhaling the rich aroma. "Did he say what kind of business?"

Beatrice shrugged. "Something about Alpha Voss sending envoys. You know how territorial these Lycans get."

The front door burst open before Lillian could respond. Sebastian strode in, his usually impeccable charcoal suit slightly rumpled, a deep frown marring his handsome features. Behind him, Marcus Grayson carried an ornate wooden box that made the hairs on Lillian's arms stand up.

"We have a problem," Sebastian announced, his golden eyes locking onto Lillian's. "Voss sent this."

He flipped open the box's lid to reveal a silver dagger resting on black velvet - the exact twin of the one Donovan had used to threaten Lillian months ago. The blade bore fresh bloodstains.

Lillian's wolf growled low in her chest. "Where's Donovan now?"

"That's just it," Marcus interjected. "He's disappeared. Vanished from the Winslow estate last night. His sister Arabella claims he left voluntarily, but..."

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "But the timing is suspicious. Voss wouldn't send this unless he had something planned."

Beatrice gasped. "You don't think... the challenge?"

Sebastian nodded grimly. "The annual Alpha Summit begins tomorrow. If Voss makes his move there..."

Lillian's coffee turned to acid in her stomach. The Summit gathered every major Lycan Alpha in the country - the perfect stage for a power play. And with Donovan missing...

Her phone buzzed violently on the counter. An unknown number. She swiped open the screen to reveal a single blood-red text: "You should have chosen me when you had the chance."

The mug slipped from Lillian's fingers, shattering against the tile as the past came rushing back in a crimson tide.

The filming was nearing its conclusion, so I'd promised Damien I would at least show up for the next few days.

"Oh, hello, Daddy," Victoria said as she descended the stairs, her arms crossed. "You were gone all night. Everything alright?" I raked my fingers through my damp hair and nodded. "Just business up north. Nothing you need to worry about. Did Oliver get to school okay?"

"Yes, Marcus took him," she answered, shifting her weight. "Donovan is picking me up later, so I won’t be home. Will Lillian be here today?"

"Not while the film crew is around," I told her, my tone firm. "But we need to talk about what happened between you two."

Victoria’s lips pressed into a thin line, her arms tightening across her chest.

"It was about Donovan," she muttered. "I wasn’t in the wrong."

"You attacked her, Victoria," I reminded her sharply.

"She started it!" she snapped, defiance flashing in her eyes. "It wasn’t my fault. I was defending my position as his future wife and Luna. She’s just jealous—"

"Ever since you found out Lillian is his fated mate, you’ve been nothing but hostile toward her," I pointed out.

At one point, Victoria and Lillian had been close—friends, even. But lately, that had changed. I wasn’t blind; I’d simply chosen not to interfere. But now, her behavior was causing disruptions in my household, and I wouldn’t tolerate it. She needed to understand that her resentment toward Lillian was unwarranted.

"I have every right to be upset," she hissed, her eyes narrowing. "They both lied to me!"

"Exactly. They both lied. You forgave Donovan—why not Lillian?"

She rolled her eyes, avoiding my gaze. "Because Donovan explained his intentions."

I frowned. "I’m sorry, what?"

Before she could respond, a new presence entered the foyer.

"Alpha Sebastian..." Celeste purred as she approached, her steps slow and deliberate. "Have you come to watch the shoot?"

"Yes," I answered tersely. "I promised Damien I’d be here today."

She fluttered her lashes, her lips curving into a practiced smile. "I wanted to talk to you about the other night," she murmured, then paused when she noticed Victoria.

"I’ll let you two talk," Victoria said quickly, already backing away.

"We’ll finish this conversation later," I called after her, but she was already hurrying out of the room. I exhaled, watching my daughter practically flee from a discussion she desperately needed to have.

Turning my attention back to Celeste, I suppressed a sigh. She had become an unwelcome complication in my life, stirring up issues without even realizing it.

"What can I do for you?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.

She tilted her head, her smile turning coy. "Oh, Alpha... I think you already know."

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the marble floors as I stepped into the grand foyer of the villa. Celeste Devereaux stood there, her fingers twisting nervously in front of her. The usually poised actress looked uncharacteristically uncertain.

"I wanted to apologize," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "My behavior was... embarrassing."

I arched a brow, though my expression remained impassive. "It’s already forgotten," I assured her, my tone clipped. "You can put it behind you."

Not in the mood for drawn-out conversations, I moved past her, my polished shoes clicking against the marble as I strode toward the back patio. The film crew was bustling about, packing equipment and preparing to relocate to the pack center. Today would be chaos—the first time they were shooting in public. By now, word had undoubtedly spread like wildfire through the pack.

Damien Laurent, the director, gave me a curt nod as I approached. Without a word, I helped them load the last of the equipment into the vans. As expected, the moment we reached the town square, pandemonium erupted.

Paparazzi swarmed like vultures, their cameras flashing incessantly. Onlookers pressed against the barricades, phones raised to capture every moment. My security team struggled to hold them back, but sheer numbers made it a losing battle. Most of them were desperate for Celeste’s attention, shouting her name in hopes of a reaction.

"Alpha Blackwood!" one reporter barked, shoving against a guard. "Do you have a minute for questions?"

The guard—built like a brick wall—barely budged. I barely spared the man a glance.

"Not now," I said coolly, turning away.

But he wasn’t deterred. "What about the rumors of your new relationship?" he called after me, his voice sharp with accusation. "Are they true?"

My steps faltered for half a second.

Celeste appeared beside me then, her eyes bright with something dangerously close to hope. She reached for my hand—

I jerked away, my glare sharp enough to make her flinch. She took a hasty step back, her cheeks flushing.

"I—I’m sorry," she stammered. "I just thought, since we’re both single—"

I cut her off with a single, icy sentence.

"Who said anything about being single?"

The silence that followed was deafening.