Chapter 83

The morning sun cast golden rays through the curtains, gently rousing Lillian from her slumber. She stretched lazily, her muscles still sore from yesterday’s training session. Beside her, Sebastian’s side of the bed was already empty, the sheets cool to the touch.

She sighed, running a hand through her tousled hair. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted up from downstairs, mingling with the faint aroma of breakfast.

He must be in his study already, she thought, rolling out of bed.

As she padded across the plush carpet, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from Beatrice lit up the screen:

"Emergency brunch. Meet me at The Moonlight Café in an hour. It’s about Donovan."

Lillian’s fingers tightened around her phone. Donovan. Just the mention of his name sent a ripple of unease through her.

She quickly typed back: "What happened?"

Beatrice’s reply was immediate: "Not over text. Just get here."

Lillian exhaled sharply. Whatever this was, it couldn’t be good.

The Moonlight Café was bustling when she arrived, the chatter of students and the clinking of silverware filling the air. Beatrice sat at their usual corner table, her expression grim.

Lillian slid into the seat across from her. "Alright, spill. What’s going on?"

Beatrice leaned in, lowering her voice. "I saw Donovan last night. At The Crimson Lounge."

Lillian frowned. "So? He’s allowed to go to bars."

Beatrice shook her head. "Not just any bar, Lillian. That place is packed with rogues and mercenaries. And he wasn’t alone."

Lillian’s pulse quickened. "Who was with him?"

"Evelyn," Beatrice said, her lips pressing into a thin line. "And Alpha Harrison."

Lillian’s stomach twisted. Alpha Harrison was notorious for his shady dealings—black-market trades, underground fights, even whispers of assassinations.

"Why would Donovan be meeting with him?" Lillian whispered.

Beatrice’s eyes darkened. "I don’t know. But I overheard them talking about Sebastian."

Lillian’s blood ran cold.

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed again. A message from Sebastian:

"Emergency meeting at the packhouse. Now."

Lillian’s fingers trembled as she typed back: "On my way."

She looked up at Beatrice. "Something’s happening. Sebastian just called a meeting."

Beatrice’s grip tightened around her coffee cup. "Then we’d better move fast."

The packhouse was eerily silent when Lillian arrived. The usual hum of activity was gone, replaced by a tense stillness.

Sebastian stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. Marcus, Theodore, and the rest of the high-ranking pack members were already gathered, their faces grim.

Lillian took her seat beside Sebastian. "What’s going on?"

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "We have a problem." He turned to Marcus. "Show them."

Marcus tapped a button on the table’s projector. A grainy surveillance video flickered to life on the wall.

Lillian’s breath caught.

There, clear as day, was Donovan—standing in a dimly lit alley, shaking hands with Alpha Harrison.

Sebastian’s voice was ice. "He’s making a move against us."

Lillian’s heart pounded. "What do we do?"

Sebastian’s eyes gleamed with quiet fury. "We strike first."

The room erupted into murmurs of agreement.

But Lillian couldn’t shake the dread coiling in her chest.

Because if Donovan was desperate enough to ally with someone like Alpha Harrison…

This wasn’t just a fight for power.

This was war.

Before I could utter a word, the waitress appeared with a bottle of red wine and two crystal glasses.

"Our finest selection tonight is the Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac," she purred, her gaze locked onto Nathaniel with unmistakable interest.

He gave a casual nod.

"Sounds perfect," he replied smoothly. "Would you mind pouring my date first?"

The waitress's smile faltered as she flicked a glance in my direction. I offered her a practiced, polite smile, reclining slightly in my chair. With stiff movements, she filled my glass, the deep crimson liquid catching the glow of the chandelier above us.

Then she turned back to Nathaniel, her demeanor softening instantly, that coy smile returning as she poured his wine.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked, her fingers brushing against his arm.

Nathaniel's expression darkened. He caught her wrist, gently but firmly removing her hand from his sleeve. Her cheeks flushed at the rejection.

"Let's keep this professional, shall we?" he said, arching a brow. "There's no need to disrespect my companion."

The waitress stiffened, her face burning scarlet.

"I—uh—" she stammered.

"Just check on our meals," Nathaniel dismissed her with a wave.

Swallowing hard, she hurried away. Nathaniel exhaled and met my eyes, his expression apologetic.

"Sorry about that," he said with a rueful smile. "I promise the rest of the evening will be about making sure you're comfortable."

"I appreciate that, Nathaniel," I replied sincerely.

"Then let's enjoy the night," he said, lifting his glass. I mirrored the gesture, and our glasses clinked before we each took a sip.

Third Person POV

Lillian was so engrossed in her date with Nathaniel that she didn’t sense Donovan’s burning glare from across the room. Seething in his seat, he barely registered Victoria’s incessant chatter. His mind was consumed by one thought: How could Lillian be out with another man?

Then again, he was on a date too—with the very she-wolf he’d left his fated mate for. It was necessary, he told himself. A calculated move to secure his position as the next Alpha of the Redmoon Pack.

His wolf, however, remained restless, furious that he’d abandoned their destined bond for ambition.

Once Donovan secured everything he desired, his wolf would finally be at peace.

But that included Lillian—he wanted Lillian, and he wouldn’t rest until she was in the house he’d bought specifically for her.

"Are you even listening to me?" Victoria snapped, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

Donovan blinked, realizing he hadn’t registered a single word she’d just said.

"Of course I am," he lied smoothly.

"Then repeat what I just told you," she challenged, arching a brow.

A beat of hesitation—enough for her to know the truth.

"Something about the wedding?" he guessed.

She rolled her eyes, tossing her napkin onto her half-finished plate.

"I’m done here," she muttered, pushing back her chair. "I want to leave."

His frown deepened. "Why are you acting like this?"

"Like what?"

"Like a child," he shot back. "If something’s bothering you, just say it."

"I could say the same to you," she hissed. "You haven’t been the same since you saw Lillian again. Is there something I should know? Did something happen between you two?"

His pulse spiked. Had he been that obvious? He needed to tread carefully—especially if he wanted to secure his position as Alpha.

"Don’t be ridiculous, Victoria. You’re the only one I care about," he assured her, voice low and honeyed.

"Then why can’t you stop staring at her?" she gritted out, nails digging into her palms.

"I wasn’t staring."

"Liar." Her voice trembled, unshed tears glinting in her eyes.

"Let’s not do this here," he murmured, leaning closer. "I’ll pay the bill, and we’ll talk in the car. Okay?"

She hesitated before giving a stiff nod.

"I’ll wait outside." Without another word, she stood and strode away, leaving Donovan scrambling to figure out how to salvage this mess.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel had noticed Donovan’s relentless focus on Lillian throughout the entire date—and it was driving him insane. He knew Lillian and Donovan shared some kind of past she refused to talk about, but curiosity burned through him.

With a sharp exhale, he opened a mindlink to his Beta.

"We need to talk."

"Nathaniel," Sebastian's deep voice resonated through the mindlink, laced with quiet urgency.

Dominic's response came instantly, sharp and alert. "I'm listening. What's wrong?" The unspoken tension in his tone betrayed his readiness for action.

Sebastian's fingers tightened around his phone as he stared at the text thread between Lillian and Donovan. His jaw clenched. "I need you to investigate Donovan Winslow. Dig up everything—especially about his past with Lillian."

A beat of silence. Then Dominic's voice turned razor-sharp. "Consider it done. Any particular leads?"

"Start with their university days," Sebastian growled, the memory of Lillian's guarded expression when Donovan's name had come up earlier flashing in his mind. "And cross-reference with his family's business dealings. The Winslows didn't get this powerful playing fair."

Dominic exhaled sharply. "You think he's still a threat to her?"

Sebastian's eyes darkened. "I know he is." The unspoken truth hung between them—Donovan had been Lillian's fated mate before the bond shattered. And men like him didn't let go of what they considered theirs.

A rustle of papers came through the link as Dominic presumably pulled files. "I'll have preliminary intel by midnight. Should I loop in Marcus?"

Sebastian hesitated only a second. "No. Keep this between us for now." The last thing he needed was his Beta's protective instincts complicating matters when Lillian was already skittish about her past.

"Understood." Dominic's voice dropped. "Be careful, Sebastian. The Winslows have claws in places even we haven't mapped yet."

Sebastian smirked without humor. "So do I." He severed the connection, his gaze drifting to the window where moonlight silvered the estate gardens. Somewhere out there, Donovan Winslow was making moves.

And Sebastian intended to be three steps ahead when he did.