Chapter 224

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian stepped onto the grand terrace of the Blackwood estate. The evening was quiet, save for the distant rustling of trees and the occasional hoot of an owl. She wrapped her arms around herself, the thin fabric of her sweater doing little to ward off the chill.

Behind her, the French doors creaked open. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was—Sebastian’s presence was unmistakable, his aura wrapping around her like a warm embrace even before he spoke.

"You should come inside," he murmured, his deep voice laced with concern. "It’s too cold out here."

Lillian exhaled, watching her breath form a mist in the air. "I needed a moment alone," she admitted, though she didn’t resist when Sebastian draped his coat over her shoulders. The weight of it was comforting, carrying his scent—spiced oak and something uniquely him.

He leaned against the railing beside her, his gaze fixed on the moonlit gardens below. "Thinking about Donovan again?"

She stiffened. Even the mention of her ex-fated mate sent a ripple of unease through her. "Not just him," she said quietly. "Everything. The engagement, the pack politics, the fact that your ex-wife’s sister still glares at me like I’m a thief in her own home."

Sebastian chuckled, the sound low and rich. "Penelope has always been territorial. But she’ll adjust."

Lillian shot him a skeptical look. "Will she? Because I’m pretty sure if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under by now."

His expression softened. "You’re my chosen mate, Lillian. No one’s opinion changes that."

She wanted to believe him. But the weight of the past few weeks pressed down on her—Donovan’s betrayal, Evelyn’s smug smiles, the whispers that followed her in the halls of Blackwood Manor.

Sebastian reached for her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "You’re not alone in this," he reminded her. "I’m here. Oliver adores you. Even Beatrice would claw someone’s eyes out if they so much as looked at you wrong."

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Beatrice would."

He squeezed her hand. "Come inside. Dinner’s ready, and Oliver’s been asking for you."

Lillian hesitated, then nodded. As they turned toward the doors, a flicker of movement in the garden caught her eye. She paused, squinting into the darkness.

"Did you see that?" she whispered.

Sebastian followed her gaze, his posture tensing. "See what?"

For a moment, there was nothing. Then—a shadow shifted near the hedges, too deliberate to be the wind.

Lillian’s pulse quickened. "Someone’s out there."

Sebastian’s grip on her hand tightened. "Stay behind me."

Before he could take a step forward, a figure emerged from the shadows—tall, cloaked, face obscured by the hood of a dark jacket.

Lillian’s breath hitched.

The stranger lifted their head slightly, moonlight glinting off pale, familiar features.

Donovan.

Her stomach twisted.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sebastian growled, stepping protectively in front of her.

Donovan’s lips curled into a smirk. "I came to deliver a message." His gaze slid past Sebastian, locking onto Lillian. "You’re making a mistake, little wolf. And when it all falls apart, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Then, as quickly as he appeared, he melted back into the shadows.

Lillian’s heart pounded.

Sebastian turned to her, his expression unreadable. "We need to talk."

The night had just gotten a lot more complicated.

"Is Lillian still here?" Victoria asked, her voice laced with irritation.

"I think she went to the bathroom and then was leaving," Oliver replied with a careless shrug. "Any more questions, or can I go back to my room now?" His tone was sharp, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

Victoria rolled her eyes and waved him off dismissively. The moment his bedroom door clicked shut, she bolted from her room and dashed down the stairs. She hadn’t seen her father in days—he’d been too busy trying to suppress those scandalous rumors circulating about their family.

As she rounded the corner toward the bathroom, the sound of breathy moans stopped her dead in her tracks. Her eyes narrowed, and she pressed herself against the wall, peering around the corner to confirm her suspicions.

Her stomach twisted when she saw Sebastian pinning Lillian against the wall, his lips locked onto hers in a heated kiss. Victoria had suspected something was going on between them, but witnessing it firsthand made her blood boil.

Lillian was such a snake.

It was obvious she was just using Sebastian to get closer to Donovan. Donovan himself had hinted as much, and Victoria trusted him more than anyone in the world. Lillian had always been like this—flirty, deceitful, and willing to betray her own fated mate. There was no way Victoria would let this manipulative witch toy with her father’s heart and then discard him.

Another sinful moan escaped Lillian’s lips as Sebastian lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist. Victoria felt sick. She couldn’t just stand there and watch. She needed to act—now.

Silently, she tiptoed back toward the foyer, relieved that the late hour meant most of the staff had retired for the night. Only a few guards remained, patrolling the grounds outside.

Victoria climbed halfway up the grand staircase, took a deep breath, and then—

She let herself fall.

It wasn’t a long drop, and she made sure to land on her arms to minimize injury, but she let out a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the mansion. The impact left her with a few bruises, nothing serious, but the performance had to be convincing.

Tears sprang to her eyes instantly—a skill she’d perfected over the years. Clutching her perfectly fine leg, she wailed dramatically on the floor.

Within seconds, guards burst into the foyer, their faces pale with alarm.

Then came Sebastian, his hair disheveled, his shirt half-untucked, his expression frantic.

"Victoria!" he gasped, rushing to her side. "What happened?"

"I—I fell down the stairs!" she sobbed, letting tears streak down her cheeks.

Marcus Grayson, the Beta, appeared moments later, frowning. "Everything alright?"

Sebastian waved him off impatiently.

Victoria clung to her father, her cries growing louder. Perfect. Now, he wouldn’t have time to return to her.

And Lillian?

She could wait.

Alone.

"Take Lillian home," Sebastian ordered without sparing a glance at his Beta. "Victoria fell down the stairs—I need to tend to her."

"Understood," Marcus replied. "Where is Lillian?"

"Bathroom." Marcus gave a curt nod and strode in that direction.

Sebastian turned his attention back to his trembling daughter, whose tear-streaked face twisted in pain. "Where does it hurt, sweetheart?"

"My leg..." Victoria whimpered, clutching her injured limb. "It hurts so much, Daddy."

A low growl rumbled in Sebastian's chest as his wolf surged forward, his glare slicing through the frozen guards. "And where the hell were any of you when this happened?"

"W-we were patrolling outside, Alpha," one managed to stammer.

Victoria tightened her grip on her father's sleeve. "It's not their fault. I was just... clumsy. I went down for a snack and missed a step."

"You should have been more careful," Sebastian muttered, gently probing her leg.

Victoria shrieked. "Ow! Daddy, please—it's unbearable!"

"Damn it, it might be broken," Sebastian muttered under his breath. "We need to get you to the hospital. Someone fetch Frederick and have him bring the car around."

The guards exchanged uneasy glances.

"Alpha... you sent Frederick back to the mansion earlier to secure it for Lillian's return," one reminded hesitantly.

"Fuck!" Sebastian snarled, raking a hand through his hair. He'd completely forgotten. "Call him back immediately. Tell him it's an emergency."

"Yes, Alpha!" The guard scrambled for his phone.

Just then, Marcus returned with Lillian—who looked just as unsteady as Victoria. Victoria's sharp eyes caught the way Lillian leaned heavily against Marcus, her steps uneven, her face pale.

No. She won't steal my moment.

Victoria let out a fresh sob, burying her face against her father's chest as he lifted her into his arms. She clung to him, her cries growing louder, more desperate—anything to keep his attention from straying to Lillian.

Sebastian made a snap decision. "Marcus, you're taking us to the hospital. Lillian can wait for Frederick."

As they moved to leave, Victoria glimpsed Lillian bracing herself against the wall, barely able to stand. A smirk curled her lips.

Perfect.

Her plan was unfolding exactly as she'd hoped.