Chapter 57

The night air was thick with tension as Lillian stepped onto the balcony of Sebastian Blackwood’s penthouse. The city lights glittered below, but her mind was far from peaceful. The weight of Donovan’s betrayal still clung to her like a shadow, refusing to fade despite the weeks that had passed.

She exhaled sharply, her breath forming a mist in the chilly air. Why did he have to choose Evelyn? The question gnawed at her, relentless.

Behind her, the glass doors slid open with a soft whisper. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was—Sebastian’s presence was unmistakable, his aura wrapping around her like a warm embrace.

“You should be inside,” he murmured, his deep voice laced with concern. “It’s freezing out here.”

Lillian crossed her arms, hugging herself. “I needed air.”

Sebastian stepped beside her, his broad frame blocking the wind. “Thinking about him again?”

She clenched her jaw. “I wish I could stop.”

A low growl rumbled in his chest, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Lillian’s breath hitched. What is this?

Sebastian flipped it open, revealing a delicate silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon. “For you.”

Her fingers trembled as she reached for it. “Why?”

His golden eyes burned with intensity. “Because you deserve more than memories of a man who didn’t see your worth.”

The sincerity in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. Before she could respond, her phone buzzed violently in her pocket.

Beatrice’s name flashed on the screen, followed by a frantic message:

“Lil, you need to see this. NOW.”

Attached was a photo—Donovan and Evelyn, locked in a heated embrace outside a high-end restaurant. The timestamp? Tonight.

Lillian’s grip on the pendant tightened.

Sebastian’s gaze darkened as he took in the image. “That bastard.”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “Guess some things never change.”

But then Sebastian’s hand cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You have.”

The conviction in his voice was undeniable. And for the first time in weeks, Lillian felt something shift inside her.

Maybe it was time to stop looking back.

Maybe it was time to embrace the moon’s whisper—and the man standing beside her.

The phone kept ringing insistently in his pocket, but Donovan didn’t answer. Instead, he shoved it back, letting the call go to voicemail. The ringing stopped, and my frown deepened.

"Why are you ignoring them?" I demanded, crossing my arms.

"Not your business," he muttered, his dark eyes flashing with something unreadable.

Then, realization hit me like a punch to the gut.

"Was it Victoria?" I asked, my voice tight. "Has she been trying to reach you, Donovan?"

"I said," he repeated slowly, his tone dangerously low, "it’s not your concern."

But I knew I was right. Victoria had mentioned earlier that Donovan was supposed to be in a meeting, and she’d been upset that he hadn’t made time for her tonight. Had he been dodging her calls all evening just to be here with me? He was already turning into that kind of man—the kind who played games with women’s hearts. And I hadn’t even agreed to be his mistress. The thought made me sick.

"You should leave," I snapped, turning away from him, my arms folded tightly over my chest. "Wouldn’t want to keep your precious Victoria waiting. She might lose interest, and then where would you be?"

He moved behind me, so close I could feel the heat of his breath against the back of my neck.

"You think we’re so different, Lillian," he murmured, his voice dripping with dark amusement. "But we’re exactly the same."

I stiffened, not understanding where he was going with this. I didn’t turn around.

"I’m marrying Victoria to get what I want," he continued, his words deliberate. "And you? You spread your legs for Sebastian to get what you want."

My face drained of color.

"It’s not like that," I whispered, my voice trembling.

"Don’t lie to me," he snarled, his hands gripping my hips hard enough to bruise. "I know what you’re doing. So why not spread them for me and get what you really want?"

I felt the hard press of him against me and jerked away, whirling around to face him, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

"Get. Out."

He laughed, low and dark.

"Sebastian will tire of you eventually," he said, his smirk cruel. "And when he does, you’ll have nothing. No job. No one. I’ll make sure of it. And when that happens, you’ll come crawling to me."

"Get out of my house," I repeated, louder this time, my voice shaking with fury.

He turned away, still chuckling as he shook his head.

"You’ll see, Lillian. I always get what I want. And what I want is you—in the house I bought for you by the end of the week. My patience isn’t infinite."

"GET OUT!" I screamed, not caring if I woke Beatrice. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks as I shoved him toward the door. He barely flinched but finally stepped out, pausing on the threshold to glance back at me.

"I’ll see you soon, mate," he said, smirking before disappearing into the night.

The moment the door closed, I collapsed against it, my stomach twisting in despair.

Third Person POV

Donovan was furious. How could Lillian be so blind? Didn’t she understand that being his mistress was the only way to keep their wolves from tearing each other apart? She was still his mate, and he wasn’t about to let her go—not even for Victoria.

He was only marrying Victoria for the Alpha title. He’d fulfill his duties—sleep with her, maybe even have children—but she could never satisfy his wolf the way Lillian could. Their bond was real. And no matter how many times he marked Victoria, the pull he felt toward Lillian would never fade.

The mark he’d left on Lillian’s neck was still there, faint but undeniable. The thought pleased him. She could still feel him.

As he slid into his car, he pulled out his phone. Missed calls and texts from Victoria lit up the screen. He was supposed to have called her after his meeting, but he’d been too focused on getting to Lillian, on making her submit.

He ignored them all.

Instead, he dialed his subordinate.

"Boss," the man answered immediately, having been waiting for this call.

"Move to the next phase," Donovan ordered, his voice cold. "It’s time Lillian learned just how much she needs me."