Chapter 299

The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of pine as Lillian stepped onto the balcony of Sebastian Blackwood’s sprawling estate. The sun had barely risen, casting a golden hue over the dense forest that bordered the property. She tightened the silk robe around her, the fabric cool against her skin.

Last night’s events replayed in her mind—Donovan’s sudden reappearance, the venom in his words, the way his new mate, Evelyn, had smirked at her as if she’d already won. Lillian’s fingers curled into fists. She had thought she was past this, past the pain of betrayal, but seeing them together had reopened old wounds.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, not turning around.

The door creaked open, and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. "Thought you might need this," came Sebastian’s deep, velvety voice.

Lillian turned to see him holding a steaming cup, his dark eyes studying her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. He was dressed impeccably as always, his tailored shirt hugging his broad shoulders.

"Thanks," she murmured, accepting the cup. Their fingers brushed, sending a jolt of warmth through her.

Sebastian leaned against the railing beside her, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "You didn’t sleep."

It wasn’t a question.

Lillian sighed. "Not much."

Silence stretched between them, comfortable yet charged. She took a sip of the coffee, the bitterness grounding her.

"He doesn’t deserve another thought," Sebastian finally said, his voice low. "Not after what he did."

Lillian’s grip tightened on the cup. "I know. But it’s not that simple."

Sebastian turned to face her fully. "Make it simple."

There was something in his tone—a challenge, a promise. Lillian met his gaze, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them.

Then, a shrill ringtone shattered the moment.

Sebastian pulled his phone from his pocket, his expression darkening as he read the screen. "We have a problem."

Lillian frowned. "What is it?"

"Donovan’s pack. They’ve challenged our territory."

Her heart skipped a beat. "What?"

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. "They’re testing us. And if we don’t respond, they’ll take it as weakness."

Lillian set her cup down with a sharp clink. "Then we respond."

Sebastian’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. "Exactly what I wanted to hear."

As they strode back inside, Lillian felt the shift in the air—the calm before the storm. Donovan had made his move.

Now, it was their turn.

I glanced over my shoulder at Alistair and Nathaniel who were deep in conversation. The selected judges occupied the front row, murmuring amongst themselves. Most spectators had dispersed to congratulate their favored competitors. Beatrice stood frowning in the direction Lillian had disappeared, while some unfamiliar guy whispered in her ear with his hand resting possessively on her thigh. My eyebrows knitted together at the sight.

Beatrice never struck me as the type to get cozy with strangers. Yet judging by their proximity and his casual touch, they'd clearly been intimate.

"Excuse me," I murmured to the other Lycan leaders before striding toward the woods where Lillian had vanished.

I discovered her crouched behind an ancient oak, completely bare except for her arms wrapped around herself. My footsteps startled her as I rounded the tree trunk.

"Are you injured?" I asked, kneeling before her. Her pallid complexion contrasted sharply with the crimson on her split lip and the purple bruises blossoming across her skin. My chest constricted at the sight, a primal urge to hunt down whoever harmed her surging through my veins—an impulse I forcefully suppressed.

"I'll live," she breathed, attempting a weak chuckle that sounded oddly melodic. "You should see the other wolf."

"I did," I replied, pulling a spare shirt from my bag—one I always carried for emergencies. "You fought brilliantly."

Her cheeks flushed pink as her eyes brightened. "Really?"

Nodding, I handed her the garment. Her grateful smile as she pulled it over her head sent an unexpected warmth through me. The fabric fell to her knees, preserving her modesty.

Exhaustion overtook her as she slumped against the tree. "I could sleep for a week," she murmured.

Leaning against the opposite side of the trunk, I reminded her, "Medical checkups are mandatory post-match. No exceptions."

She groaned. "They mentioned that at the welcome banquet." A yawn interrupted her. "Can't I just rest here first? Shifting drained me completely."

An unfamiliar laugh escaped my lips—a sound so rare even I barely recognized it.

"I like that," Lillian whispered.

Curious, I shifted until our faces were inches apart. Her eyes flew open in surprise when she felt my breath against her cheek, her skin blooming with color. "Like what?" I asked.

"The sound of your laughter," she admitted, turning to meet my gaze. "It's... rare. Beautiful."

Our eyes locked as I reached to tuck a damp strand of hair behind her ear. She leaned into my touch like a flower toward sunlight. My thumb traced her swollen lower lip, feeling it part slightly beneath my caress.

No words passed between us. This intimacy felt different—no frenzied passion, just the quiet exchange of breath and energy. When my lips finally brushed hers, the kiss began gently, then deepened as my fingers tangled in her hair.

"Sebastian..." she gasped when I trailed kisses down her neck, her body trembling beneath my exploring hands.

The snap of a twig had us springing apart like scalded cats. A voice called through the trees: "Lillian? Are you still out here?"

The scent of pine and damp earth filled Lillian's senses as she stood at the edge of the clearing, her fingers trembling against the rough bark of an ancient oak. Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting silver patterns across Sebastian Blackwood's chiseled features as he stepped forward.

"You shouldn't have come alone," his deep voice rumbled, the vibration making her pulse quicken. The Lycan chairman's golden eyes glowed with barely restrained power, his massive frame tense with predatory grace.

Lillian swallowed hard, her werewolf instincts screaming at the proximity of her fated mate. "I had to warn you," she whispered, her breath forming mist in the chilly night air. "Donovan's planning something—"

A twig snapped behind them. Both whirled around to see Evelyn emerge from the shadows, her crimson lips curled in a smirk that didn't reach her cold blue eyes. "How touching," she purred, running manicured fingers through her platinum blonde hair. "The rejected mate still playing guardian angel."

Sebastian moved instinctively, positioning himself between the two women. "This doesn't concern you, Evelyn."

"Oh, but it does." Evelyn's laughter rang hollow through the trees. "Donovan sends his regards." With a flick of her wrist, a dozen armed warriors materialized from the surrounding forest, their weapons glinting under the moonlight.

Lillian's claws extended as she dropped into a defensive stance. The metallic scent of bloodlust filled the air, mingling with the sharp tang of betrayal. Beatrice's warning from earlier echoed in her mind—this had been a setup from the beginning.

Sebastian's growl reverberated through the clearing as his transformation began, muscles rippling beneath his tailored suit. "Last chance to walk away," he warned, his voice deepening with the change.

Evelyn's smile turned feral. "Oh darling, the fun's just beginning." She raised her hand, the signal for attack.

As the first arrow whizzed past Lillian's ear, she realized with chilling clarity—this wasn't just an ambush. It was a declaration of war. And somewhere in the darkness, Donovan was watching, waiting to claim what he believed was his.