Chapter 28

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the lavish bedroom as Lillian stirred beneath the silk sheets. Her body ached from the previous night’s training session with Donovan, but the pain was nothing compared to the storm brewing in her heart. She had spent hours replaying their last encounter—his cold dismissal, the way his new mate, Evelyn, had smirked at her from the sidelines.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Lillian?" Harper’s voice floated through the door. "Alpha Sebastian requests your presence in his study."

Lillian’s pulse quickened. Sebastian. Just the thought of the Lycan chairman sent an unexpected warmth through her. She had tried to suppress it, but every time their paths crossed, the magnetic pull between them grew stronger.

"Tell him I’ll be there shortly," she replied, forcing her voice to remain steady.

She dressed quickly, opting for a simple yet elegant navy-blue dress that accentuated her curves. As she descended the grand staircase, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and Lucien’s famous croissants filled the air. The mansion was alive with activity—maids bustling about, guards stationed at every corner.

Sebastian’s study door was slightly ajar when she arrived. She hesitated, then knocked lightly.

"Come in." His deep voice sent a shiver down her spine.

She pushed the door open to find him seated behind his mahogany desk, his piercing gaze locked onto a stack of documents. The morning light highlighted the sharp angles of his jaw, the faint scar running along his temple—a reminder of battles fought and won.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked, clasping her hands behind her back to hide their slight tremble.

Sebastian looked up, his expression unreadable. "Sit."

She obeyed, perching on the edge of the plush chair opposite him. The silence stretched, thick with tension.

"I’ve received word that Donovan is planning something," he finally said, his voice low. "He’s been seen meeting with Alpha Harrison."

Lillian’s breath hitched. Harrison was the same Alpha who had tried to take advantage of her when she was vulnerable. "What does he want?"

Sebastian leaned forward, his eyes darkening. "That’s what I intend to find out. But I need you to be careful. If Donovan is desperate enough to ally with Harrison, he won’t hesitate to use you as leverage."

The weight of his words settled over her. She had known Donovan was ruthless, but this—this was a new low.

"I won’t let him," she said firmly, lifting her chin. "I’m not the same weak girl I was before."

A flicker of admiration crossed Sebastian’s face. "No, you’re not."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world outside faded. The air between them crackled with unspoken emotions—desire, protectiveness, something deeper neither dared to name.

Then, abruptly, Sebastian stood, breaking the spell. "Marcus will accompany you to campus today. Don’t go anywhere alone."

Lillian nodded, though disappointment curled in her chest. She had hoped for… what, exactly? A confession? A kiss?

Get a grip, she scolded herself. He’s your protector, nothing more.

But as she turned to leave, his voice stopped her.

"Lillian."

She glanced back.

His expression softened, just slightly. "Be safe."

Her heart skipped a beat. "I will."

Outside the study, she exhaled shakily. The day had barely begun, and already, the stakes felt higher than ever. Donovan’s schemes, Sebastian’s protectiveness, the unspoken tension between them—it was all a powder keg waiting to explode.

And she was standing right in the middle of it.

"My driver, Frederick, is waiting outside. Let him take you home," Sebastian offered, his deep voice smooth yet commanding.

I shook my head, already reaching into my bag for my phone. "It's fine, I'll just call an Uber."

Before I could unlock the screen, his large hand covered mine, warm and unyielding. "Don't waste your money when I'm offering you a free ride," he said, his tone firm but calm. "Frederick remembers your address from yesterday. Let him take you."

I swallowed hard, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. Thank you."

Turning to Oliver, I found him staring between us with wide, curious eyes. I wondered what was going through his young mind, but he quickly snapped out of it when he noticed my gaze.

"I'm leaving now," I told him, softening my voice. "But I'll be back tomorrow afternoon. You have school, and I have morning classes."

Oliver nodded, though his pout made it clear he didn’t want me to go. "Clean up your mess and get some rest tonight," I instructed, ruffling his hair lightly. "You'll need your energy for training."

"Okay," he mumbled. "Bye, Lillian."

"Bye, Oliver," I replied with a small wave before glancing back at Sebastian.

He was still watching me, his piercing gaze intense. I gave him a brief nod, unsure what else to say, then stepped around him and headed out of the villa.

Third Person POV

Sebastian watched as Lillian walked away, his jaw tightening when his eyes landed on the faint mark on her neck. It irritated him in a way he couldn’t explain—an unfamiliar, unwelcome heat simmering beneath his skin.

He remembered the marks he had once left on her, the possessive satisfaction that had curled in his chest. But those had faded, replaced by someone else’s claim.

Who had dared to leave that mark on her?

Then again, maybe it was better he didn’t know.

"Why are you so mean sometimes?" Oliver’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Sebastian blinked, looking down at his son. "I wasn’t mean," he denied, though his frown betrayed his irritation.

Oliver rolled his eyes dramatically and flopped onto the couch. "Yes, you were," he muttered. "We were having a good day, and now she left upset."

Sebastian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He hadn’t meant to ruin anything—but the sight of that mark had unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

And that, more than anything, was what truly bothered him.

Sebastian arched a brow as he studied his son. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. He exhaled deeply and sank onto the couch beside Oliver. It had been too long since he’d spent real time with the boy—Lillian’s words echoed in his mind, sharp and insistent. Oliver needs companionship. Was she right?

"Good day?" Sebastian asked, his voice softer than intended.

Oliver nodded, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"Yeah," he murmured.

Sebastian hesitated before pressing further. "You like your new tutor?"

At that, Oliver’s face lit up, his eyes bright as he finally met his father’s.

"She’s awesome, Dad! Lillian’s so cool—she knows all about combat training, she’s crazy smart, and she plays video games with me. We even had dinner together tonight. I wish she could stay forever." He grinned, then added with startling boldness, "She’d make a great mom!"

Sebastian stiffened, his pulse skipping. What the hell?

"Don’t be ridiculous," he muttered, turning away.

But Oliver clung to his arm, undeterred. "I mean it! If Lillian were my mom, I’d be the happiest kid ever. Tomorrow, she’s teaching me archery and self-defense!"

Sebastian blinked. The kid wasn’t just rambling—he genuinely admired Lillian. That realization hit harder than expected. Oliver’s smile faded as he slumped back, scuffing his shoe against the carpet.

"My other tutors never did stuff like this," he mumbled. "They just wanted to impress you."

A pang of guilt twisted in Sebastian’s chest. It was true. Most tutors had seen Oliver as an obstacle, a stepping stone to the Lycan Alpha’s attention. No wonder the boy had acted out—he’d been fighting for scraps of care.

Lillian’s words returned, sharper now: "Oliver isn’t rebellious, Sebastian. He’s lonely. Spend time with him, and you’ll see—he’s just a sweet kid who needs someone."

Sebastian exhaled, rubbing his temple. Maybe she was right.