Chapter 268

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Sebastian Blackwood’s penthouse, painting the room in warm hues. Lillian stretched lazily beneath the silk sheets, her body still humming from the previous night’s passion. The scent of Sebastian—dark, intoxicating, and undeniably alpha—lingered on her skin, a reminder of the claim he had reaffirmed with possessive fervor.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Lillian?" Giselle Beaumont’s voice filtered through the door. "Breakfast is ready whenever you are."

Lillian smiled. "Thank you, Giselle. I’ll be down shortly."

She slipped out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet as she padded toward the ensuite bathroom. The reflection in the mirror showed a woman glowing with satisfaction, her lips slightly swollen, her neck adorned with faint marks. A flush crept up her cheeks at the memory of Sebastian’s hands on her, his whispered promises against her skin.

After a quick shower, she dressed in a simple yet elegant sundress—one of the many pieces Sebastian had insisted on adding to her wardrobe. The man had an uncanny ability to blend dominance with indulgence, ensuring she lacked for nothing.

Downstairs, the dining room was bathed in sunlight, the table set with an array of pastries, fresh fruit, and steaming coffee. Sebastian sat at the head, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his dark eyes lifting the moment she entered.

"Good morning, little wolf," he murmured, his voice rough with unspoken desire.

Lillian’s pulse quickened. "Morning."

He gestured to the seat beside him, and she took it, her fingers brushing his as she reached for her coffee. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through her, and Sebastian’s lips curved in a knowing smirk.

"Sleep well?" he asked, though the glint in his eyes said he already knew the answer.

She took a sip of coffee to hide her smile. "Like a dream."

Before he could respond, his phone buzzed. A frown flickered across his face as he read the message.

"What is it?" Lillian asked.

"Trouble," he said simply, setting the phone down. "Alpha Harrison is making moves again. He’s been spotted near pack borders."

Lillian’s grip tightened around her cup. Harrison had been a thorn in their side for months, his obsession with her bordering on dangerous.

Sebastian’s expression darkened. "I won’t let him near you."

She believed him. But as she glanced out the window, a shadow of unease settled over her.

Because trouble never came alone.

And this time, it wasn’t just Harrison they had to worry about.

Sebastian's POV

"Alpha Sebastian, any thoughts on this year's Gamma competitors? Do you have a favorite?"

"Has anyone from your pack made the cut?"

"Are you sponsoring any part of the competition this year?"

"Alpha Sebastian, over here!"

The relentless flashes of the paparazzi cameras nearly blinded me, but I kept my expression unreadable, my gaze steady as I scanned the crowd. I wasn’t about to indulge their questions—not now, not when I’d just stepped off the plane and exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders. All I wanted was to retreat to my suite and unwind. I hadn’t even glanced at the list of Gamma competitors sent to me.

"Give the Lycan Chairman some space," Julian, my head Gamma and a former champion of the competition himself, commanded, shoving the reporters aside to clear a path for me.

A sleek black car idled by the curb, and I wasted no time slipping inside, eager to leave the chaos of the airport behind. My wolf stirred restlessly, impatient to reach the resort. I chalked it up to fatigue—and the looming inevitability of dealing with Maximilian Voss. He’d be arriving soon enough.

As the car pulled away, the noise of the paparazzi faded into the distance. I exhaled sharply, loosening my tie, which felt more like a noose than an accessory.

"The competitors are hosting a meet-and-greet dinner tonight," Julian mentioned, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. "Alpha Maximilian will be there. Should I RSVP on your behalf?"

I shot him a look that should have been answer enough. He visibly shrank in his seat.

"No," I muttered. "The last thing I need tonight is to deal with Maximilian. I’ll meet the competitors tomorrow."

"Have you at least looked over the competitor list?" Julian pressed.

"No."

He sighed but wisely dropped the subject.

Lillian's POV

"Holy hell," Beatrice gasped as our cab approached the resort. "This place makes Carter’s Resort look like a motel."

I’d never seen palm trees before, but here they towered everywhere, their fronds swaying like elegant parasols, casting dappled shadows over the pristine grounds. The pathways were paved with smooth cobblestones, gleaming under the sunlight, while the air carried the faint, salty tang of the ocean. Crowds of people streamed through the grand glass doors of the lobby, dragging luggage behind them.

I craned my neck to take in the sheer scale of the resort—endless floors of floor-to-ceiling windows, some veiled by sheer curtains, others left open to the view. According to the map, the ocean sprawled just beyond the far side of the building, though we couldn’t see it from here.

"This is insane," Beatrice murmured, her eyes wide as she took in the opulence around us.

"I’m going to find my boyfriend," Rosalind said with a small smile. "Thanks for letting me ride with you."

"Of course," I replied, returning her smile. "Hope to see you around."

With a wave, she disappeared into the crowd. I nudged Beatrice, and together we grabbed our suitcases, tipped the cab driver generously, and stepped inside.

The lobby was even more breathtaking up close. Rose-gold marble floors stretched beneath our feet, matching the towering pillars that framed the space. A grand fountain bubbled at the center, surrounded by a whirl of people. Shops lined the perimeter, their displays glittering under the soft lighting. Spiral staircases curled upward on either side, flanked by glass elevators that ascended to each floor. Balconies overlooked the lobby from every level, offering glimpses of the resort’s sprawling interior—and beyond, the endless ocean view.

Beatrice whistled low under her breath. "We are not in Kansas anymore."

I couldn’t help but grin. "No. No, we are not."