Chapter 85

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Lillian stretched lazily, her body still humming with the lingering warmth of Donovan’s presence from the night before. She sighed, running a hand through her tousled hair.

Last night…

Her cheeks flushed at the memory. The way Donovan had looked at her, the way his hands had traced her skin—it had been intoxicating. But now, in the sober light of day, reality settled back in.

She wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Not for him. Not after everything.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Lillian? Are you awake?" Beatrice’s voice was muffled through the wood.

Lillian cleared her throat. "Yeah, come in."

The door creaked open, and Beatrice stepped inside, her eyes immediately narrowing in suspicion. "You look… different."

Lillian feigned ignorance. "Different how?"

Beatrice smirked. "Like someone who had a very good night."

Lillian rolled her eyes, but her traitorous pulse betrayed her. "Shut up."

Beatrice flopped onto the bed beside her, grinning. "So? Details. Now."

Lillian hesitated. She wanted to tell Beatrice everything—about the way Donovan had shown up at her door, about the way he’d kissed her like he was starving for her. But something held her back.

"It’s complicated," she muttered.

Beatrice snorted. "When is it not complicated with you two?"

Lillian sighed. "I don’t know what I’m doing, Bea. One minute, I hate him. The next, I—"

"You what?"

Lillian bit her lip. "I don’t know."

Beatrice studied her for a long moment before sighing. "You’re in deep, aren’t you?"

Lillian didn’t answer. She didn’t have to.

A sharp knock at the door startled them both.

"Lillian?" Sebastian’s deep voice sent a jolt through her.

Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Well, well. The plot thickens."

Lillian shot her a glare before calling out, "Just a second!"

She scrambled out of bed, hastily smoothing her hair and straightening her clothes. When she opened the door, Sebastian stood there, his expression unreadable.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice low.

Lillian’s stomach twisted. "About what?"

Sebastian’s gaze flicked to Beatrice before returning to her. "Alone."

Beatrice, ever the opportunist, stood up. "I was just leaving anyway. Have fun, kids." She winked at Lillian before slipping out the door.

Silence stretched between them.

Sebastian stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "I heard about last night."

Lillian’s breath hitched. "Heard what?"

His jaw tightened. "Donovan was here."

Lillian swallowed. "It wasn’t—"

"Save it," he cut her off. "I don’t care what happened. But you need to be careful."

Lillian frowned. "Careful of what?"

Sebastian’s eyes darkened. "Of him. Of yourself. Of whatever game you think you’re playing."

Her temper flared. "I’m not playing any games."

A humorless smile tugged at his lips. "Aren’t you?"

Lillian crossed her arms. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

Sebastian stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "It means I know you, Lillian. Better than you think. And I know when you’re lying to yourself."

She opened her mouth to argue, but the words died on her tongue.

Because he was right.

And that terrified her.

"He met your cousin," Dominic murmured.

Nathaniel's brows shot up in surprise.

Victoria was undeniably beautiful, but she couldn't compare to Lillian. What baffled him even more was how Donovan's wolf could willingly choose Victoria when his fated mate had been right there all along.

"That doesn't add up," Nathaniel muttered, shaking his head.

"I don’t get it either," Dominic admitted. "But he met Victoria, and before anyone knew it, he was proposing to her."

"You couldn’t dig up a reason?"

"Nothing’s documented," Dominic replied. "If there’s a motive, he’s keeping it locked away."

Nathaniel’s frown deepened, his jaw tightening. He didn’t need Dominic to spell it out—he already knew the truth. It was painfully obvious. Victoria was the daughter of Sebastian Blackwood, the most powerful Lycan Chairman in the world. Donovan wanted power, and what better way to secure it than by aligning himself with Sebastian through his daughter?

But to abandon his fated mate for ambition? The thought alone made Nathaniel sick.

Did Lillian know Donovan had left her for power? Was Victoria even aware she was just a pawn in her fiancé’s game? He couldn’t tell her—it would only shatter her. Nathaniel had to stay silent, but he refused to let Donovan hurt Lillian any longer. She needed someone to protect her, and he was determined to be that person.

"Oliver, you’re done with tutoring already?" Victoria asked as Oliver walked into the kitchen, sweat glistening on his forehead from his sparring session.

Victoria sat at the counter, nibbling on fruit while Donovan scrolled through his phone beside her. They’d spent most of the night arguing—about the date, about how he couldn’t keep his eyes off Lillian. He’d managed to conjure up some excuse, and after relentless back-and-forth, Victoria had finally relented. She loved him too much to keep fighting. Even if it meant ignoring the gnawing doubt in her chest, she’d rather believe him than lose him.

Now, it was the next evening, and they’d spent the entire day wedding planning. The ceremony was fast approaching, and there was still so much left to do.

"Yeah," Oliver said, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge. "Lillian and Nathaniel are going on another date tonight, so she ended our session early."

That caught Donovan’s attention.

"They're going on another date?" Oliver asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nathaniel nodded. "Yes," he replied, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm taking her to the night gallery. She just left to get ready."

Victoria leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I'm glad he's taken a liking to her," she mused. "They both deserve good people in their lives. Maybe we could arrange a double date sometime."

Donovan, who had been silent until now, cut in sharply, ignoring Victoria’s suggestion. "Does your father know Nathaniel is taking Lillian out?"

Oliver shook his head. "Not yet," he admitted, twisting the cap off his water bottle and taking a long drink. After recapping it, he turned to Donovan. "Nathaniel said he’d talk to him later. But you know how Dad can be—intimidating."

"I'll be right back," Donovan muttered abruptly, standing up. "Need to use the restroom."

Victoria barely acknowledged his departure, already engrossed in conversation with Oliver about Lillian and Nathaniel. The moment Donovan left the room, his steps quickened as he headed straight for the parlor, nostrils flaring as he searched for the faintest trace of Lillian’s scent. It was barely there—she must have already left the villa.

But she couldn’t have gone far. She had only just stepped out.

"Going somewhere?" A deep, amused voice cut through the silence from the shadowed corner of the parlor.

Donovan stiffened, turning slowly to face Nathaniel, who stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, a knowing smirk on his face.

"Where I go is none of your concern," Donovan growled, his jaw tightening.

"Isn’t it?" Nathaniel pushed off the wall, closing the distance between them. "I think it is, considering I know exactly who you’re looking for." His smirk widened. "Tell me, Donovan, does my cousin know you’re sneaking off to chase after another woman?"

"You don’t know what you’re talking about," Donovan snapped, his eyes flashing with barely contained fury.

Nathaniel scoffed. "Don’t I?" He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Victoria might not realize where you’re really headed right now… but does she know that Lillian is your fated mate? Or that she’s just a pawn in your little game?"