Chapter 49

The morning sun cast golden rays through the curtains of Lillian’s bedroom, stirring her awake. She stretched lazily, her muscles still sore from yesterday’s intense combat training with Professor Montclair. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted up from the kitchen, signaling that Giselle, the head maid, was already at work.

Lillian dressed quickly, opting for a simple yet elegant outfit—a fitted blouse and tailored trousers, something that wouldn’t draw too much attention but still made her feel confident. She had promised Beatrice they would meet for breakfast before classes, and she didn’t want to be late.

As she descended the grand staircase of Sebastian Blackwood’s mansion, she caught sight of Oliver, his small frame perched on a chair in the dining room, swinging his legs as he nibbled on a piece of toast. His bright eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Morning, Lillian!" he chirped, crumbs tumbling from his lips.

She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Morning, trouble. Where’s your dad?"

Oliver shrugged. "Dunno. He left early with Marcus."

Lillian frowned. Sebastian had been unusually distant lately, buried in pack business. She tried not to let it bother her, but the absence of his usual teasing remarks left an odd emptiness in her chest.

Beatrice arrived just as Lillian was finishing her coffee, her cheeks flushed from hurrying. "Sorry! Professor Sinclair kept me after class yesterday, and I overslept."

Lillian waved it off. "No worries. Let’s grab something from the café before lecture."

The campus was alive with students, the air buzzing with chatter and laughter. As they walked, Lillian noticed Donovan and Evelyn standing near the fountain, their heads bent close in conversation. A flicker of irritation sparked in her chest, but she forced herself to look away. He wasn’t her problem anymore.

At the café, Gabrielle greeted them with a warm smile. "The usual?"

Lillian nodded, but before Gabrielle could hand over their drinks, a sharp voice cut through the noise.

"Well, if it isn’t the little werewolf and her shadow." Cassandra sauntered up, flanked by two of her usual followers. "Still clinging to Sebastian’s coattails, I see."

Lillian clenched her jaw but kept her tone light. "Morning, Cassandra. Still bitter about being rejected from the Alpha’s inner circle?"

Cassandra’s smirk faltered, her eyes flashing with anger. "You think you’re so special just because he lets you stay in his house? Newsflash—you’re just a charity case."

Beatrice stepped forward, her fists clenched. "Back off, Cassandra."

Before things could escalate, Professor Sinclair’s voice rang out from behind them. "Ladies, save the drama for the stage. Class starts in five minutes."

Cassandra shot Lillian one last glare before strutting away, her entourage in tow.

Lillian exhaled slowly, her pulse still racing. "Thanks, Professor."

He gave her a knowing look. "Don’t let her get to you. She’s not worth your energy."

As they headed to class, Beatrice nudged her. "You okay?"

Lillian forced a smile. "Yeah. Just tired of her nonsense."

But beneath the surface, unease prickled at her. Cassandra’s words had struck a nerve. Was she really just a charity case to Sebastian?

The question lingered in her mind as she took her seat, her fingers tapping restlessly against her notebook.

And then, as if summoned by her thoughts, Sebastian strode into the lecture hall, his presence commanding immediate silence. His piercing gaze swept the room before landing on her.

A slow smirk curled his lips.

Lillian’s breath hitched.

Whatever game he was playing, she was about to find out.

Victoria's fingers trembled with anticipation as she tore open the gift box. The moment the delicate pink crystals caught the light, her breath hitched audibly. Her eyes sparkled like the gems themselves, and a radiant smile bloomed across her perfectly glossed lips.

"Oh, Dad!" she squealed, throwing her arms around Sebastian in a crushing embrace. "It's perfect! I've been dreaming of something exactly like this!" She pulled back just as quickly, dashing toward Lillian to proudly display her treasure. "Look! These would look absolutely divine hanging from my rearview mirror, don't you think?" She held up the crystals, letting them catch the light.

"That was the idea," Sebastian murmured, watching his daughter's delight with quiet satisfaction.

Lillian's gaze flickered to the gems, and she offered Victoria a tight-lipped smile—forced, but present. Sebastian noted the effort with surprise. Given that Victoria was engaged to Donovan, Lillian's fated mate, he hadn't expected even this much civility. His wolf growled low in his chest, irritated by the thought, and he mentally shoved the beast back.

"They're beautiful," Lillian finally said after a beat of hesitation. "They'll suit your car perfectly."

Victoria beamed, bouncing on her toes. "I'm going to put them in right now! Dad, don’t leave before I come back!" With that, she dashed out of the room in a whirl of excitement, leaving Sebastian alone with Lillian.

His eyes immediately dropped to her outfit—borrowed clothes that clung too tightly, clearly not her own. A deep frown creased his brow.

"I thought we had an agreement about your attire," he said, his voice edged with disapproval.

Lillian paled slightly, her throat working as she swallowed. "There was… an incident with my clothes," she admitted, shrugging as if it were nothing.

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "What kind of incident?" His tone darkened, though he told himself it was purely professional concern. If something had happened on his property involving his staff, he needed to know.

She bit her lower lip, hesitating. "Oliver and I were sparring. My shirt got torn."

Her refusal to meet his eyes told him there was more to the story. Knowing Oliver, Sebastian wouldn’t be surprised if the boy had played a role in the damage. But Lillian was clearly covering for him, and he wasn’t about to push further.

"Victoria was kind enough to lend me something," Lillian finished quickly. "But I shouldn’t stay. I should go."

Sebastian didn’t move as she stepped past him toward the door. The faintest brush of her arm against his sent an inexplicable jolt through him, his pulse stuttering in response. He frowned, unsettled by the reaction.

Lillian paused, and for a fleeting second, he wondered if she’d felt it too. When her eyes lifted to meet his, the world seemed to still around them, the air thick with something unspoken.

"I'll see you later," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sebastian managed a stiff nod, watching as she hurried away. His body betrayed him with a traitorous twitch, and he cursed inwardly. This woman—this infuriating, complicated woman—was getting under his skin in ways he refused to acknowledge. His wolf stirred hungrily, and he forcefully silenced it, locking the beast away.

Shaking off the tension, he strode out of the room and down the stairs. Lillian was already halfway across the foyer, not sparing him a backward glance. But at the doorway, she stopped abruptly, her expression darkening as Victoria reappeared, her earlier excitement now replaced with a frown.

"Everything alright?" I asked Victoria as I descended the staircase.

She gave a small sigh, her fingers absently playing with the hem of her sleeve. "I suppose so. The jewels look stunning in the car. I took some photos to send to Donovan and called him, but..." Her voice trailed off. "He said he'd be busy all night and won't see me until tomorrow."

I caught the way Lillian stiffened at the mention of Donovan's name, and I had to bite back a sharp remark.

Just then, Oliver bounded in from the living room, his face lighting up the moment he spotted Lillian.

"Can we keep practicing?" he asked eagerly, as if the rest of us had suddenly vanished.

Lillian offered him a soft smile, though her eyes held a hint of exhaustion. "I think I should head home for tonight," she said gently. "But I'll be back tomorrow, I promise."

Oliver's face fell, and my chest tightened. The boy was starved for connection—Lillian had been right about that. "But we didn’t finish!" he protested, his lower lip jutting out.

She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "Tomorrow, we’ll practice twice as long, okay?"

He looked ready to argue, so I stepped in before he could.

"What I'm hearing," I said, glancing between Victoria and Oliver, "is that both of my kids are free tonight. How about we have the chefs prepare something special? It’s been too long since we’ve had a proper family dinner."

Victoria brightened immediately, and even Oliver perked up.

"That sounds perfect," Victoria said, slipping an arm around my waist in a quick hug.

"I'm in!" Oliver declared, bouncing on his toes. "But only if Lillian stays too!"

Lillian hesitated, but the hopeful look in Oliver’s eyes was impossible to resist.

"Alright," she relented with a small laugh. "One dinner won’t hurt."

Oliver cheered, and for the first time in weeks, the house didn’t feel quite so empty.