Chapter 6

The morning sun cast golden rays through the curtains, stirring Lillian from her restless sleep. She groaned, rubbing her temples as the remnants of last night’s confrontation with Donovan replayed in her mind. His betrayal still stung like a fresh wound, raw and unrelenting.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Lillian? Are you awake?" Beatrice’s voice was muffled but laced with concern.

Lillian sat up, wincing at the dull ache in her muscles. "Yeah, come in."

Beatrice pushed the door open, balancing a tray of steaming coffee and toast. "You look like you wrestled a bear," she teased, though her eyes were sympathetic.

"Feels like it," Lillian muttered, accepting the coffee gratefully. The rich aroma soothed her frayed nerves.

Beatrice perched on the edge of the bed. "So… what happened last night? You stormed out of the party like the place was on fire."

Lillian hesitated. She hadn’t told anyone about Donovan’s sudden reappearance—or his new mate, Evelyn. The words stuck in her throat, bitter and heavy.

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number lit up the screen:

"We need to talk. It’s urgent. —D."

Lillian’s grip tightened around her phone. Donovan. Of course.

Beatrice frowned. "Who’s that?"

Lillian exhaled sharply. "No one important." She tossed the phone aside, but the message gnawed at her. What could he possibly want now?

A second buzz. Another message, this time from Sebastian Blackwood:

"Meet me at the pack house in an hour. We have matters to discuss."

Lillian’s pulse quickened. Sebastian never summoned her without reason. Was this about Donovan? Or something worse?

Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Trouble in paradise?"

Lillian forced a smile. "Just pack business." She stood, ignoring the lingering exhaustion. "I should get ready."

As she dressed, her mind raced. Last night had been a disaster—Donovan’s smug face, Evelyn’s possessive grip on his arm, the way they’d flaunted their bond like a trophy. And now, Sebastian wanted to see her.

Something was coming. She could feel it in her bones.

The question was: was she ready for it?

My breath hitched as I turned to Sebastian, stunned that he knew Donovan was my ex-fiancé. He had clearly dug deep into my past. At first, I assumed he had only looked up basic details, but he had uncovered far more than I ever expected.

"How did you know he was my ex-fiancé?" I demanded, my voice sharper than intended.

Sebastian smirked, his tone smooth and unbothered. "There's very little I don't know. Like the fact that Donovan—who is now my daughter’s fiancé—was once your fated mate."

A sharp inhale escaped me at his bold declaration, heat flooding my cheeks.

"Am I wrong?" he challenged, though his tone made it clear he already knew the answer.

I shook my head, unable to meet his gaze, my fingers tightening in my lap. This was the one secret I had hoped to keep buried.

"Whatever happened in the past," he continued, his voice dropping lower, "Victoria and Donovan are set to marry soon. For her sake, I expect everything to go smoothly."

I bit my lip, unwilling to engage further. Maybe my silence would make him drop the subject.

Turning my attention to the window, my stomach twisted as the car crossed into my pack’s territory. I hadn’t told him where I lived, yet the driver navigated the roads effortlessly, heading straight for my parents’ estate.

My pulse thundered in my ears. Was there anything this man hadn’t uncovered?

Against my better judgment, I stole a glance at him. His sharp profile was outlined by the passing scenery, his strong jaw set, lips pressed into a firm line. The memory of our heated encounter surged forward—his mouth claiming mine, the intoxicating mix of tenderness and raw hunger.

My fingers drifted unconsciously to the mark he’d left on my neck, the one Donovan had seen—the one that had sent him into a rage.

A flush crept up my skin at the reminder.

"If you’re done staring," Sebastian’s deep voice cut through my thoughts, "you can get out now."

Blinking, I snapped back to reality. The car had stopped.

We were already at my doorstep.

"Oh," I exhaled sharply, caught red-handed staring at him. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and all I wanted was to escape his presence immediately.

Fumbling with the seatbelt, I unhooked it in haste and grabbed my purse, swinging it over my shoulder before pushing the car door open.

"Uh, thanks for the ride," I muttered awkwardly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Sebastian gave a stiff nod, his expression unreadable. Just as I was about to slide out, his fingers curled around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

"Lillian," he said, his tone commanding. The way my name rolled off his tongue sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. I froze, meeting his piercing gaze, my breath hitching in my throat.

"Yes?" My reply came out breathless, betraying the nerves I tried so hard to conceal.

His grip loosened slightly as he spoke, his words sharp and final. "We won't be seeing each other again. Understood?"

It felt like a blade had been driven straight through my chest. His words left me stunned, a sharp ache spreading through me. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced myself to nod.

"Understood," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

The moment he released my wrist, a strange emptiness settled over me, as if I'd stepped out into the cold without a coat. It made no sense—we'd only shared one reckless moment, barely even a conversation—yet the absence of his touch left me hollow.

Without another word, I stepped out of the car. The door clicked shut behind me, sealing me off from the tinted windows that hid him from view. Still, I could feel his eyes on me, watching as I hurried toward the house, digging through my purse for my keys.

The house was dark, the lights off. Either my mother was already asleep, or she wasn't home at all.