Chapter 53

The morning sun cast golden rays through the curtains, painting delicate patterns across the bed where Lillian lay. She stretched lazily, her muscles still humming from the previous night’s events. The scent of Sebastian still lingered on her skin, a comforting reminder of their bond.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Beatrice’s name flashed across the screen.

"You’re alive! I was starting to think Sebastian had kidnapped you for good."

Lillian rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. "Very funny. I was just… busy."

"Busy? Oh, I bet you were."

She ignored the teasing and sat up, glancing around the lavish bedroom. The sheets were silk, the furniture dark mahogany—everything screamed wealth and power. It still felt surreal that this was her life now.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called.

The door creaked open, and Oliver peeked inside, his bright eyes filled with mischief. "Morning, Lillian! Dad says breakfast is ready."

She grinned. "Tell him I’ll be right down."

Oliver nodded before darting off, his footsteps light against the hardwood floor.

Lillian sighed, running a hand through her tangled hair. She had barely slept, her mind racing with everything that had happened—Sebastian’s confession, their kiss, the way he had looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered.

But doubt still gnawed at her.

She wasn’t just some ordinary girl anymore. She was the mate of a Lycan chairman, a man with enemies, responsibilities, and a past that still haunted him. Could she really handle this?

Her phone buzzed again.

"Don’t overthink it," Beatrice’s message read. "You deserve this. Now go eat breakfast before I come over and drag you out myself."

Lillian chuckled. Leave it to Beatrice to keep her grounded.

She slipped out of bed and headed for the ensuite bathroom, determined to push her worries aside—for now.

But as she splashed cold water on her face, a chilling thought crossed her mind.

Sebastian might have claimed her, but Donovan wasn’t the type to let go so easily.

And neither was Evelyn.

The game was far from over.

"Why do you ask?" Sebastian Blackwood countered, his piercing gaze narrowing in Victoria's direction.

She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, nibbling gently as she weighed her response.

Truthfully, she wasn’t entirely sure why she needed to know. Perhaps to convince herself that the mate bond wasn’t absolute. She and Donovan weren’t fated mates—but if either of them ever found their true match, would they still choose each other? Or would instinct override everything? The thought sent a chill down Victoria’s spine. She’d be lying if she claimed she wasn’t terrified of Donovan one day meeting his destined mate and walking away without a second glance.

She needed to know if the bond could be resisted. If someone as formidable as Sebastian Blackwood couldn’t defy it, what hope did the rest of them have?

"I suppose I’m just trying to understand how the mate bond works," she murmured, twisting her fingers nervously.

He exhaled deeply, leaning back against the plush couch as he considered her question.

"The bond is… overwhelming," he admitted. "The most powerful force you’ll ever experience. You think you’re in control, but you’re not. It’s your wolf that takes command. They make distance unbearable. And yet, there’s a part of you that wants to surrender. The craving becomes so intense it borders on agony. Fighting it only brings misery—to you and your wolf."

"Did you try to fight it?" she pressed.

A shadow crossed his features. "I was young," he murmured. "I didn’t understand the pull—the depth of it. It was… confusing. Part of me resisted, yes. But your mother had a way of drawing me out. And then… she gave me the greatest gift I could have ever received."

Victoria tilted her head. "What was that?"

Sebastian wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a rare embrace.

"You," he answered simply.

A soft smile curved her lips as she looked up at him.

"So you did love her," she said quietly—not a question this time, but a statement. Still, Sebastian answered.

"Yes," he confirmed, the ghost of a smile touching his mouth. "When she died… it nearly destroyed me."

Victoria hesitated before voicing her next thought. "Is that why you don’t date?"

His brows lifted in surprise. "I do date."

She scoffed. "Not seriously. It’s always fleeting—never anything real."

"I don't have time to date," Sebastian told her, his voice firm yet weary. "Running a pack, fulfilling duties, and raising Oliver take up all my energy."

"I'm not a child anymore, Dad," Victoria reminded him, nudging his arm playfully. "And Oliver doesn’t need you hovering over him constantly. We both want you to be happy—even if that means dating someone younger." She bit her lip, the unspoken suggestion hanging between them.

Sebastian frowned. "Someone younger?" His piercing gaze remained fixed on her profile.

She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "We just want you to be happy... with whoever you choose. We don’t want you to be lonely."

"You’ve given this a lot of thought, haven’t you?" he asked, his tone dry.

A small smile tugged at her lips, but she didn’t deny it.

"I’m heading to bed now. I doubt Donovan will call tonight," she said, standing abruptly. The ache in her voice was unmistakable. "Good night, Dad. Thanks for the talk."

Sebastian said nothing, merely nodding as she left the room. His thoughts drifted to Lillian—how she must be suffering through her own mate bond. He knew the bond was unbreakable, a force beyond control. To endure the knowledge that her fated mate was marrying another woman... He wondered if she was strong enough to survive such torment.

"Is there anything you require before I retire for the night?" one of the maids asked, stepping into the room.

Sebastian exhaled and rose to his feet. "No, you’re dismissed," he said, moving past her.

"I quite liked Miss Dumont," the maid ventured before he could leave. "She suits this household well, don’t you think?"

Sebastian didn’t respond. He strode out of the living room without a backward glance.