Chapter 66

The morning sun cast golden rays through the sheer curtains of Lillian’s bedroom, stirring her awake. She stretched lazily, her muscles still sore from last night’s training session with Professor Montclair. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted in from the hallway, signaling that Harper was already up and preparing breakfast.

Lillian’s phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from Beatrice lit up the screen:

"Meet me at the café in 20. Big news!"

Lillian frowned. Beatrice rarely texted in such a cryptic manner. Whatever it was, it couldn’t wait.

She dressed quickly, opting for a simple sweater and jeans before slipping into her favorite boots. As she descended the grand staircase of Sebastian Blackwood’s mansion, she nearly collided with Oliver, who was racing down the steps with his toy sword in hand.

"Whoa there, little warrior," Lillian laughed, steadying him. "Where’s the fire?"

Oliver grinned up at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Papa said I can train with the gammas today! Real swords!"

Lillian ruffled his hair. "Just don’t scare them too much."

In the dining room, Sebastian sat at the head of the table, engrossed in a stack of documents. His sharp gaze flicked up as she entered, and for a fleeting moment, warmth softened his features.

"Morning," he murmured.

"Morning," she replied, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Beatrice needs me at the café. Something urgent."

Sebastian’s expression darkened slightly. "Be careful. Donovan’s pack has been sniffing around campus lately."

Lillian nodded. She hadn’t forgotten the way Donovan had looked at her the last time they crossed paths—like a predator eyeing its prey.

The café was bustling when she arrived. Beatrice waved her over from a corner booth, her face flushed with excitement.

"You won’t believe this," Beatrice whispered, leaning in. "Evelyn is pregnant."

Lillian nearly choked on her latte. "What?"

"Yep. And guess who the father is?"

Lillian didn’t need to guess. The triumphant smirk on Beatrice’s face said it all.

"Donovan."

Beatrice nodded. "And here’s the kicker—Victoria doesn’t know yet."

Lillian’s stomach twisted. Victoria, Sebastian’s daughter, was still engaged to Donovan. If she found out…

"This is going to explode," Lillian muttered.

Beatrice grinned. "Oh, it gets better. Evelyn’s planning to announce it at the next pack gathering."

Lillian groaned. "Why do I feel like I’m about to be caught in the crossfire?"

Beatrice patted her hand. "Because you always are."

As if on cue, Lillian’s phone buzzed again. A message from an unknown number:

"We need to talk. Alone. —D."

Lillian’s blood ran cold. Donovan.

Beatrice’s eyes widened as she read the message over Lillian’s shoulder. "You’re not seriously considering meeting him, are you?"

Lillian exhaled sharply. "I don’t have a choice. If he’s reaching out now, it’s not for small talk."

Beatrice grabbed her wrist. "Then at least tell Sebastian."

Lillian hesitated. Sebastian would never let her go alone. But if Donovan had information—something dangerous—she needed to hear it first.

"I’ll be careful," she promised, slipping her phone into her pocket.

Beatrice didn’t look convinced. "Famous last words."

Lillian forced a smile, but her mind was already racing. Whatever Donovan wanted, it wouldn’t be good. And if Evelyn’s pregnancy was part of his game, then the stakes had just gotten a lot higher.

The clock was ticking. And Lillian had a sinking feeling that the next 24 hours would change everything.

I expected Sebastian to take me first before dropping off the others, so his decision to leave Victoria, Oliver, and Donovan at the villa first caught me off guard. The moment their car doors closed behind them, Marcus swiftly raised the privacy partition, sealing us in tense silence.

My fingers twisted in my lap as I studied Sebastian's rigid profile. "Was this whole dinner just an elaborate scheme to shove Donovan's relationship in my face?" The words slipped out sharper than intended, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "You needed to witness their bond firsthand. No amount of scheming will tear them apart." The glacial tone sent shivers down my spine.

A bitter laugh escaped me. "You think I want to come between them? I wouldn't touch Donovan with a ten-foot pole—"

"Excellent." His sudden turn pinned me with those mercury eyes, dissecting my soul. "Then keeping your distance should pose no difficulty."

The world narrowed to the space between us. My breath hitched when his palm cradled my nape, tilting my face upward. His minty breath fanned across my lips as he leaned in, close enough to count the flecks of silver in his irises. My eyelids threatened to flutter shut, but I clung to consciousness, resisting the magnetic pull of his proximity. Every thundering heartbeat echoed like war drums in my chest.

"Let's be perfectly clear, Miss Dumont." His velvet growl liquefied my bones. "If my daughter suffers due to your games with her fiancé, I will personally ensure you regret it. Nothing—and no one—comes before my family."

The threat should've angered me. Instead, heat pooled low in my belly. "You despise Donovan," I whispered, pulse jumping at my own audacity. "Why force Victoria into this?"

His grip vanished as if burned. "That," he hissed through clenched teeth, "is none of your concern."

The sudden coldness left me hollow. "You're right." I picked at my cuticles, throat tight. "I overstepped."

The limousine's abrupt halt startled me. Through the tinted windows, my apartment building loomed like a prison. My fingers trembled on the seatbelt clasp.

Sebastian seemed distant, his gaze fixed on some unseen point beyond the windshield. Lost in thought, his jaw was set in that familiar, unreadable way. I wanted to ask what was troubling him, but I knew better than to pry. Some doors weren’t meant to be opened.

"Thank you for the ride, Alpha Blackwood," I murmured, pushing the car door open.

The moment I stepped out, the biting night air coiled around me like an unwelcome embrace. The dress Victoria had lent me—if it could even be called that—left little to the imagination. More skin than fabric, it was hardly suited for the autumn chill. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering as I hurried toward the entrance.

Then, warmth.

A heavy weight settled over my shoulders, the scent of cedar and something distinctly him enveloping me. I froze, glancing down to find Sebastian’s tailored coat draped around me. Slowly, I turned.

He stood close. Too close.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—those piercing, storm-gray eyes—flickered over me before meeting mine. "You should’ve dressed for the weather," he said, voice cool.

I scowled. "I didn’t exactly plan to wear this." My fingers tightened around the edges of his coat. "Especially not something this… revealing."

A beat of silence. His gaze dipped again, just for a fraction of a second, before snapping back up.

"Don’t make it a habit," he muttered.

Then he was gone, striding back to his car without another word.

The warmth of his coat was a stark contrast to the cold dismissal in his tone.