Chapter 290

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of fallen leaves as Lillian stepped onto the marble terrace of Blackwood Manor. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the emerald-green shawl around her shoulders - a gift from Sebastian that matched his piercing eyes.

Below in the courtyard, Donovan stood with Evelyn, their intertwined fingers glinting under the moonlight. A bitter taste rose in Lillian's throat. Just three months ago, those same hands had promised her forever. Now they belonged to another.

"Stop staring, darling." Beatrice appeared beside her, handing over a flute of champagne. The bubbles danced like Lillian's erratic heartbeat. "He's not worth another thought."

Lillian forced a smile. "I know. It's just...hard."

The grand clock tower struck midnight, its chimes vibrating through her bones. At the twelfth toll, Sebastian materialized from the shadows, his tailored tuxedo accentuating his powerful frame. Little Oliver clung to his hand, the boy's eyes wide with excitement.

"Ready?" Sebastian's deep voice sent shivers down her spine. His free hand extended toward her, palm up. An unspoken promise.

Before she could respond, Victoria's shrill voice cut through the night. "Father! You can't possibly mean to-"

"Enough." Sebastian's command silenced the crowd. His gaze never left Lillian's. "The Moon Ceremony begins."

A collective gasp rippled through the gathered pack members. Lillian's breath hitched. This wasn't part of the plan. The ceremony was sacred, binding. If Sebastian completed the ritual tonight...

Donovan's furious roar shattered the moment. "She's mine!"

Chaos erupted. Evelyn screamed as Donovan shifted mid-leap, his wolf form barreling toward the terrace. Sebastian moved with lethal grace, shoving Oliver into Theodore's arms as his own transformation began.

Lillian barely registered Beatrice pulling her backward as two massive wolves collided in a whirlwind of fangs and fury. The marble cracked beneath their weight. Crystal glasses shattered. Somewhere in the distance, a child was crying.

Then came the gunshot.

A single, deafening report that froze everyone in place. Lillian's ears rang as she turned toward the sound. There, at the edge of the garden, stood Alpha Harrison with a smoking revolver. His cruel smile made her blood run cold.

"Now," he purred, aiming the barrel directly at Oliver's small form, "let's discuss terms."

The world narrowed to that glinting muzzle. Lillian's vision tinged red. Heat flooded her veins as something primal awakened deep within. The last thing she heard before her bones began to break was Sebastian's desperate shout:

"Lillian, NO!"

But it was too late. The moon called, and this time, she answered.

"Are you seriously not going to tell me why you came back so late last night? There’s no way that dinner lasted until 2 AM," Beatrice said, crossing her arms as she watched me dig through my suitcase, searching for the athletic gear I needed for today’s competition.

"Nope," I replied with a smirk.

Honestly, I didn’t want to think about it right now. My mind kept drifting back to Sebastian—how he made me feel last night, the raw intensity of emotions that had felt so real in the moment but now seemed distant. The memory of his touch still lingered on my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

Finally locating my outfit, I ducked into the bathroom to change. The competition was already making me nervous enough—I didn’t need to start overanalyzing whatever was happening with Sebastian.

"You’re no fun!" Beatrice called through the door.

I chuckled as I quickly pulled on my clothes and tied my hair into a high ponytail. When I stepped out, Beatrice was waiting for me, arms still crossed, an expectant look on her face.

"I’d tell you if anything happened between me and a guy," she declared, tilting her chin up.

Laughing, I gave her a playful shove as I walked past. "There’s not much to tell," I admitted. "I mean… we slept together. That’s it."

"Seriously? The same guy who made you so upset you fled the country without a word?" she reminded me. "We were supposed to be on a break from men, remember?"

She was right. I had promised her this would be a guy-free trip—she needed to get over Lucien, and I was supposed to be moving on from Sebastian. But now, he was all I could think about.

"You’re right," I sighed. "I’m sorry."

She shook her head, her expression softening. "No, I’m sorry," she murmured. "I’m being a terrible friend. You clearly have feelings for him, and I shouldn’t stand in your way."

"We’re just casual," I teased with a shrug. "At least, that’s what it seems like..."

"You haven’t talked about it?" she asked, frowning.

I shook my head.

"No, and I’m not sure I will," I admitted. "Things are messy right now. I think it’s better if I just focus on the competition."

She nodded thoughtfully before glancing at the clock. "Do you have time for breakfast?"

"I’ve got an hour. Let’s grab something quick," I said.

We ended up at the hotel’s breakfast buffet. The spread was impressive—fresh fruit, pastries, eggs—but my nerves had stolen my appetite. I settled for a glass of orange juice and a slice of toast while Beatrice piled her plate high.

As I picked at my food, my mind wandered back to last night. The way Sebastian’s hands had traced my skin, the heat in his gaze—it had felt like more than just casual. But then again, maybe I was reading too much into it.

"You’re overthinking again," Beatrice said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I sighed. "Yeah, well, that’s what I do best."

She smirked. "Just focus on kicking ass today. Everything else can wait."

I nodded, forcing a smile. She was right. The competition was what mattered now. Whatever was happening with Sebastian… that could wait.

But deep down, I knew—no matter how hard I tried to push him from my thoughts, he wasn’t going anywhere.

We settled at an empty table while Beatrice devoured her breakfast, chattering nonstop about her day with her new friends. I was relieved she’d found people to keep her company while I focused on the competition.

The small plate I’d used for my toast vanished, and I frowned at the empty space. A heartbeat later, a new plate appeared before me—piled high with far more food than I could possibly eat. My gaze snapped up to meet Sebastian Blackwood’s stern expression, and my eyes widened.

"You need to eat," he stated flatly before turning away with my toast.

I gaped at the food, then back at him. He had already taken a seat at another table, listening intently to someone’s conversation, his posture radiating quiet authority. Heat rushed to my cheeks.

Had anyone noticed? I scanned the room, relieved to find no curious eyes on me.

Beatrice looked like she was about to burst into laughter as she nibbled on her own meal, deliberately avoiding my gaze. As much as Sebastian’s interference annoyed me, I couldn’t argue. He was right—I needed proper fuel if I wanted to survive today. That was why I’d been choking down dry toast in the first place.

With a sigh, I picked up my fork. Halfway through the plate, my stomach protested, and I pushed it aside.

A glance at the clock confirmed I only had twenty minutes before the competition began.

"I have to go," I told Beatrice.

She nodded, flashing me a double thumbs-up.

"I’ll be cheering for you," she said. "Good luck today!"

I gave a quick nod and hurried out of the dining hall. The arena was already packed—competitors and spectators alike filling the space. Alpha Maximilian Voss stood at the center, deep in conversation with several other Alphas and Lycans.

One of the Gammas overseeing the event directed me toward the other competitors. I’d never been surrounded by so many people at once, and my nerves crackled like live wires. At least my ankle no longer hurt—I just prayed I wouldn’t reinjure it during the fights.

"Oh, it’s you," a familiar voice said beside me.

I turned to see Genevieve, the girl I’d met in the gym.

"Competing today?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yes. You?"

"Absolutely," she said with a sharp grin. "Odds are we’ll face each other at some point. Good luck." She winked before sauntering off.