Chapter 258

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Sebastian Blackwood’s penthouse, illuminating the sleek marble floors. Lillian stretched lazily in the king-sized bed, her fingers brushing against the cool silk sheets. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted in from the kitchen, mingling with the faint trace of Sebastian’s cologne still lingering on the pillow beside her.

She sighed, rolling onto her back. Last night had been… unexpected.

A sharp knock at the door startled her.

"Lillian?" Sebastian’s deep voice resonated through the wood. "Are you awake?"

She bolted upright, clutching the sheets to her chest. "Y-yes! Just a second!"

Her heart hammered as she scrambled for her discarded clothes. The memories of the previous evening flooded back—Donovan’s betrayal, the gala, the way Sebastian had pulled her into his arms when she stumbled, drunk and vulnerable.

She had sworn she wouldn’t fall for him.

And yet, here she was.

The door creaked open before she could fully dress. Sebastian stood in the doorway, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his dark eyes sweeping over her disheveled state. A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Sleep well?"

Lillian’s cheeks burned. "I—I need to go. Beatrice is probably worried sick."

Sebastian stepped forward, blocking her path. "Not so fast." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Her breath hitched.

"I believe this belongs to you." He flipped it open, revealing the silver pendant she had lost at the gala—the one her mother had given her before she died.

Lillian’s fingers trembled as she took it. "How did you—?"

"I have my ways." His gaze darkened. "But we need to talk about last night."

Her stomach twisted. "Nothing happened."

"Didn’t it?" He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Because I distinctly remember you clinging to me, begging me not to let go."

Lillian’s pulse spiked. She had been drunk. Emotional. Weak.

And he had seen it all.

Before she could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression hardening.

"It’s Victoria."

Lillian stiffened. His daughter—the one engaged to Donovan.

Sebastian exhaled sharply. "She’s on her way here."

Panic surged through her. If Victoria found her here, in his penthouse, wearing yesterday’s dress—

"Go," Sebastian ordered, nodding toward the private elevator. "Marcus will take you home."

Lillian didn’t argue. She snatched her purse and bolted for the door, but not before catching the conflicted look in Sebastian’s eyes.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

As the elevator doors closed behind her, one thought echoed in her mind:

What have I done?

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian hurried across the campus quad. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her backpack, the weight of her textbooks a familiar comfort. She had just finished her afternoon lecture when her phone buzzed with an urgent message from Beatrice.

"Meet me at the coffee shop. Now. It's about Donovan."

Lillian’s heart skipped a beat. Donovan—her ex-fated mate, the man who had betrayed her for Evelyn. Whatever Beatrice had discovered couldn’t be good.

The campus coffee shop, Brewed Awakening, was unusually crowded for a weekday afternoon. Gabrielle, the barista and Lillian’s classmate, gave her a sympathetic smile as she entered. Beatrice sat in their usual corner booth, her expression grim.

"You look like you’ve seen a ghost," Lillian said, sliding into the seat opposite her.

"Worse," Beatrice muttered, pushing a folded newspaper across the table. "Look at page three."

Lillian unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the headlines until she found it—a society column featuring Donovan and Evelyn, announcing their engagement party at the Winslow estate. The date was set for next weekend.

Her stomach twisted. "So soon?" she whispered.

Beatrice leaned forward. "That’s not all. Rumor has it Sebastian Blackwood is attending."

Lillian’s breath caught. Sebastian—the enigmatic Lycan chairman who had become an unexpected ally. His presence at Donovan’s engagement party could only mean one thing: trouble.

"Why would he go?" Lillian asked, though she already suspected the answer.

Beatrice’s eyes darkened. "Revenge. Donovan humiliated you publicly. Sebastian doesn’t strike me as the type to let that slide."

Lillian’s fingers trembled as she traced the edge of the newspaper. The thought of Sebastian confronting Donovan sent a thrill down her spine—but also a pang of fear. If things escalated, the fallout could be catastrophic.

"We have to stop him," she said suddenly.

Beatrice arched a brow. "And how do you plan to do that? Sebastian doesn’t exactly take orders."

Lillian bit her lip. She had no leverage over Sebastian, no way to influence his decisions. But the idea of him risking his reputation—or worse—for her sake was unbearable.

"I’ll talk to him," she said firmly.

Beatrice sighed. "Good luck with that. But if you’re going, I’m coming with you. Someone needs to keep you from doing something reckless."

Lillian managed a small smile. "Since when have I ever been reckless?"

Beatrice snorted. "Since always."

As they left the coffee shop, Lillian’s mind raced. She needed to find Sebastian before he made a move that couldn’t be undone. But first, she had another problem to deal with—Oliver, Sebastian’s seven-year-old son, had a school play tonight, and she’d promised to attend.

The day was far from over, and the stakes had never been higher.

My mind went blank. Every ounce of Gamma training evaporated as I stood frozen, staring at Oliver's bleeding leg. The arrow protruded grotesquely, and his small body trembled violently against the grass.

"What happened?" Sebastian's voice cut through the chaos as he sprinted toward us. I hadn't heard him return. The commotion must have drawn him from inside the mansion.

In a blur of motion, he was at Oliver's side. With one swift movement, he tore off his dress shirt and began fashioning a tourniquet. When had he removed the arrow? The bloodied projectile now lay discarded on the lawn, its silver tip glinting ominously.

"It was Lillian!" Victoria spat, jabbing an accusatory finger at me. Her eyes burned with venom. "She did this deliberately. She shot Oliver!"

Sebastian's head snapped up, his gaze locking onto mine for the first time. Storm clouds gathered in those usually warm amber eyes, his jaw clenched so tightly I heard his teeth grind. His wolf simmered just beneath the surface as his eyes raked over my bloodstained blouse and trembling hands.

"Explain." The single word rumbled with barely contained fury, his Alpha power lacing through the command like barbed wire.

"I—" My voice failed me, emerging as nothing more than a broken whisper.

"She's lying!" Victoria shrieked. "I saw everything! This is the second time Oliver's been hurt under her watch!"

A guttural growl vibrated in Sebastian's chest. Whether directed at me or his daughter, I couldn't tell. His piercing stare never wavered from mine as the weight of Victoria's accusations settled between us like falling ash.

The approaching wail of sirens brought momentary relief.

"Leave." The word struck like a physical blow. "Don't come back."

His voice held the glacial detachment of a stranger. The raw hatred twisting his aristocratic features shattered what remained of my composure. Hot tears streaked down my cheeks, mingling with Oliver's blood as I swiped at them frantically.

My entire body shook. That look—I'd never seen it before, not even during our worst arguments. My wolf whimpered, curling into herself in shame. My legs refused to obey, rooted to the spot despite my screaming instincts to flee.

"I'm so sorry," I choked out to Oliver, who clung to his father like a lifeline. His pallor was improving, the tremors less violent now. "It was an accident... I swear..."

"GO!" Sebastian's Alpha command hit me like a tidal wave, forcing my knees to buckle. He'd never used his power against me before. The betrayal stung worse than the compulsion.

Stumbling backward, I turned and fled the estate, the iron gates slamming shut behind me with finality.