Chapter 22

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the bedroom. Lillian stretched lazily, her body still humming with the lingering warmth of Donovan's presence. But as her fingers brushed the empty space beside her, reality crashed down like a tidal wave.

He was gone.

Again.

A bitter taste filled her mouth as she sat up, clutching the sheets to her chest. The scent of him—spicy and masculine—still clung to the pillows, mocking her. She had let herself believe, even for a moment, that things could be different this time. That maybe, just maybe, he would stay.

But Donovan had never been one for promises.

A sharp knock at the door startled her. "Lillian? Are you awake?" Beatrice's voice carried through the wood, laced with concern.

Lillian swallowed hard, forcing her voice to sound steady. "Yeah, come in."

The door creaked open, and Beatrice stepped inside, her dark eyes scanning the room before landing on Lillian. "You look like hell," she said bluntly, crossing her arms.

"Thanks," Lillian muttered, running a hand through her tangled hair.

Beatrice sighed, dropping onto the edge of the bed. "Donovan left, didn't he?"

Lillian didn't answer. She didn't have to.

"Damn it, Lillian." Beatrice's voice softened. "How many times are you going to let him do this to you?"

Lillian clenched her fists in the sheets. "It's not that simple."

"It never is with him." Beatrice shook her head. "You deserve better."

The words stung, mostly because they were true. But Lillian had spent too long chasing after Donovan to just walk away now.

A sudden vibration from her phone cut through the tension. Lillian snatched it up, her pulse quickening when she saw the name on the screen.

Sebastian Blackwood.

Her breath hitched. The Lycan chairman had been a distant figure in her life, a man of power and mystery who had always watched her from the shadows. Why was he texting her now?

With trembling fingers, she opened the message.

"We need to talk. Meet me at the Blackwood Estate. Noon."

No greeting. No explanation. Just a command.

Lillian's heart pounded against her ribs. What could Sebastian possibly want with her?

Beatrice frowned. "What is it?"

Lillian hesitated before showing her the message. Beatrice's eyes widened. "Holy shit. You're not actually going, are you?"

Lillian bit her lip. "I don't think I have a choice."

Because if there was one thing she knew about Sebastian Blackwood, it was that he never asked twice.

And when a Lycan Alpha summoned you, you answered.

The Blackwood Estate loomed before her, an imposing structure of dark stone and ivy-covered walls. Lillian stood at the gates, her stomach twisting into knots. She had dressed carefully—a simple black dress, knee-high boots, her hair loose around her shoulders. She wanted to look strong. Unbreakable.

But inside, she was shaking.

The gates swung open without a sound, as if they had been expecting her. Lillian took a deep breath and stepped forward, her heels clicking against the cobblestone path.

Sebastian was waiting for her on the terrace, his broad frame silhouetted against the afternoon sun. He turned as she approached, his golden eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

"Lillian," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't come."

She lifted her chin. "You didn't give me much of an option."

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "No, I suppose I didn't."

Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Lillian forced herself to hold his gaze, refusing to back down.

Finally, Sebastian spoke again. "I have a proposition for you."

Her pulse spiked. "What kind of proposition?"

He stepped closer, close enough that she could smell the rich, earthy scent of him. "One that could change everything."

Lillian's breath caught.

And just like that, the game had begun.

The agony tearing through my body was unbearable. A scream tore from my throat, raw and desperate, as I prayed my mother would hear and come to my aid. But the hallway outside remained eerily silent, save for the sounds of my own suffering. My wolf whimpered in distress, her pain amplifying mine until coherent thought was impossible.

I had endured minor discomfort before—when Donovan kissed Victoria—but this? This was torture.

This was the bond punishing me for him being with her.

Every pant, every moan, every sinful sound echoed in my skull as if I were right there in the room with them. My nails dug into the sheets, my body trembling as tears streaked down my face. I begged the Moon Goddess for mercy, for the torment to end.

What did I do to deserve this?

My gaze landed on the crumpled shirt draped over my laundry basket—Sebastian’s shirt. The one I’d borrowed and never returned. If I were honest, I’d forgotten about it entirely.

But now, drowning in pain, I wondered—did it still carry his scent?

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to reach for it, my muscles screaming in protest. The moment my fingers brushed the fabric, his rich, woodsy aroma enveloped me like a warm embrace. My wolf quieted, soothed by his presence, even if only through scent.

I clutched the shirt to my chest, inhaling deeply as the pain dulled to a bearable throb. The phantom sounds of Donovan and Victoria faded, replaced by the steady rhythm of my own breathing.

And then, exhaustion pulled me under.

Sebastian filled my dreams.

Not as the composed, intimidating Lycan chairman, but as the man who had kissed me with reckless abandon in his penthouse suite. His lips crashed against mine, hot and demanding, while his hands roamed my body with possessive hunger.

I wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing, but I didn’t care. This was my fantasy, and here, I had no reason to hide.

He lifted me effortlessly, pinning me against the wall as his mouth trailed down my throat. His teeth grazed the spot where Donovan’s mark should have been—but in this world, it was gone.

A low growl rumbled in his chest before he whispered, "Mine."

I jolted awake, gasping, my skin slick with sweat. My heart hammered against my ribs as I scanned my room, disoriented.

Holy Moon Goddess.

I’d just had a dream about Sebastian Blackwood. A very explicit one.

My cheeks burned as I pressed my palms to my face. This was not the mindset I needed before tutoring Oliver later.

I had to get my head straight.

Because if I showed up at his mansion like this?

Sebastian would see right through me.

I jolted awake with a gasp, the remnants of my unsettling dream still clinging to my consciousness like cobwebs. Shaking my head to clear the disturbing images, I threw off the covers and practically leapt from bed. My bare feet hit the cold tiles as I rushed into the adjoining bathroom, desperate to wash away the lingering unease.

Pausing before the mirror, I barely recognized the reflection staring back at me. My usually vibrant auburn hair resembled a bird's nest, wild strands sticking out in every direction. Dark purple shadows marred the pale skin beneath my bloodshot eyes, evidence of yet another restless night. But none of that compared to the shocking sight that made my breath catch.

There, prominently displayed on the delicate skin of my neck, was an unmistakable hickey - Donovan's mark. The purplish bruise stood out starkly against my fair complexion, a vivid reminder of last night's humiliating encounter. My fingers trembled as they hovered over the damning evidence, the memory of his cruel laughter echoing in my ears.

"Damn it," I whispered, my voice rough with sleep and emotion. The mark pulsed slightly when I pressed against it, sending an unwelcome shiver down my spine. I needed to cover this before anyone saw - especially Sebastian. The thought of the powerful Lycan chairman seeing Donovan's claim on me made my stomach churn.

Turning on the faucet with more force than necessary, I splashed icy water on my face, hoping to shock myself into full alertness. As the water dripped down my chin, I met my own gaze in the mirror again, steeling my resolve. Today would be different. Today, I would start taking control of my life back from Donovan's toxic influence.

But first, I needed serious concealer.

The morning sunlight streaming through the window seemed almost mocking in its cheerfulness as I began my damage control routine, determined to erase all visible traces of my ex-mate's latest attempt to humiliate me. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a day that would test every ounce of my strength and resilience.

The morning sun filtered through the heavy drapes of Lillian's bedroom at the Blackwood estate. She stretched beneath the silk sheets, her body still humming from last night's passionate encounter with Sebastian. A delicious shiver ran down her spine as she recalled how he'd pinned her against the wall, his growls vibrating through her entire being.

"Good morning, beautiful," came Sebastian's deep voice from the doorway. He leaned against the frame, shirtless, his muscular torso on full display. Lillian's breath hitched at the sight of fresh scratch marks across his chest - her marks.

"Someone's up early," she teased, pulling the sheets higher. "Don't you have a company to run?"

Sebastian prowled toward the bed with that predatory grace only Lycans possessed. "I cleared my schedule," he murmured, bending to nip at her exposed shoulder. "Thought we could spend the day together."

Before Lillian could respond, her phone buzzed violently on the nightstand. Beatrice's name flashed across the screen with a string of panicked emojis. Lillian's stomach dropped.

"What is it?" Sebastian asked, instantly alert.

Lillian swallowed hard as she read the message. "It's Donovan. He's at the university. He's... he's telling everyone we're still fated mates."

Sebastian's golden eyes darkened to molten amber. The air around them crackled with barely restrained fury. "That bastard doesn't know when to quit."

Lillian scrambled from bed, her mind racing. "I need to get there before this spirals. Evelyn must be furious."

Sebastian caught her wrist as she tried to rush past. "You're not going alone." His tone brooked no argument. "I'll have Marcus prepare the car."

As they dressed hurriedly, Lillian's phone buzzed again - this time with a photo from Beatrice. The image showed Donovan standing on the university steps, surrounded by gawking students, holding what appeared to be... a mating certificate?

"That's impossible," Lillian whispered, her blood running cold. "We never completed the ceremony."

Sebastian snatched the phone from her trembling hands. His growl shook the walls. "That's a forgery." He crushed the device in his grip. "Let's go remind Donovan what happens to wolves who play with fire."

The drive to campus passed in tense silence. Lillian's mind reeled with possible scenarios. Why would Donovan do this now? Unless... unless Evelyn had rejected him? The thought sent a chill down her spine.

As their black SUV pulled up to the main quad, chaos greeted them. A crowd had gathered around the administration building where Donovan stood on the steps, flanked by university security. Evelyn was nowhere in sight.

Sebastian exited the vehicle first, his imposing presence immediately parting the crowd. Lillian followed, her heart pounding. The moment Donovan spotted them, his smug expression faltered.

"Ah, just in time," he called, recovering quickly. "Come to confirm our bond, darling?"

Lillian opened her mouth to respond, but Sebastian beat her to it. "Enough games, Donovan." His voice carried across the quad, silencing the murmuring students. "Present your so-called proof."

Donovan's grin turned predatory as he held up the document. "See for yourself, Blackwood. Signed and sealed by the Moon Goddess herself."

A collective gasp rose from the crowd. Lillian's vision swam. This couldn't be happening. She reached for Sebastian's arm, needing his steady presence.

Before anyone could react, a shrill voice cut through the tension. "That's a lie!"

All heads turned as Evelyn pushed through the crowd, her face streaked with tears. She pointed an accusing finger at Donovan. "He forged that last night after I rejected him! The council already approved our separation!"

The revelation sent shockwaves through the gathering. Donovan's face twisted in rage. "You stupid bitch," he snarled, lunging toward Evelyn.

Sebastian moved like lightning, intercepting Donovan mid-leap and slamming him into the concrete steps. The sickening crack of bone echoed across the suddenly silent quad.

"Anyone else want to question my mate's status?" Sebastian growled, his canines fully extended as he loomed over Donovan's crumpled form.

Lillian rushed to Evelyn's side as the younger woman collapsed into sobs. "It's okay," she murmured, rubbing Evelyn's back. "You're safe now."

But as she looked up at Sebastian standing victorious over Donovan, a new worry took root. If Donovan was desperate enough to forge mating documents, what else might he try? And more importantly - who was helping him?