Chapter 88

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the lavish bedroom, illuminating Lillian’s tousled hair as she stirred awake. Beside her, Sebastian Blackwood slept soundly, his muscular arm draped protectively over her waist. A faint smile touched her lips as she traced the sharp line of his jaw with her fingertips.

Last night had been… intense.

Her cheeks warmed at the memory. The way his hands had explored every inch of her body, the possessive growls rumbling in his chest, the way he had whispered her name like a prayer—

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Lillian?" Harper’s voice floated through the wood. "Breakfast is ready. Alpha Sebastian requested you join him in the dining room."

Lillian bit her lip. Alpha Sebastian. Even the title sent a thrill down her spine.

"I’ll be right there," she called back, carefully slipping out of bed so as not to wake him.

She padded to the ensuite bathroom, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. The mirror reflected her flushed face, her lips still slightly swollen from last night’s kisses. She turned on the faucet, splashing cool water onto her skin in an attempt to calm the lingering heat.

Get it together, Lillian.

She dressed quickly in a simple sundress, one of the many Sebastian had insisted on buying for her. The soft fabric hugged her curves, and she couldn’t help but admire the way it made her feel—beautiful, desired.

When she stepped into the dining room, Sebastian was already seated at the head of the table, his piercing gaze locking onto her the moment she entered. His lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.

"Sleep well?" he murmured, his voice rough with amusement.

Lillian’s pulse spiked. Oh, he knew exactly what he was doing.

"Like a rock," she shot back, sliding into the chair beside him.

His chuckle was low, sending shivers down her spine. "Good. You’ll need your energy today."

She arched a brow. "And why’s that?"

Before he could answer, Oliver bounded into the room, his small face alight with excitement. "Lillian! Dad! Guess what? Uncle Marcus said I can train with the warriors today!"

Sebastian’s expression softened as he ruffled his son’s hair. "Did he now?"

Oliver nodded eagerly. "He said I’m strong enough!"

Lillian grinned. "That’s amazing, Oliver."

The boy beamed before digging into his pancakes with gusto.

Sebastian leaned closer to Lillian, his breath warm against her ear. "As for you… I have a surprise."

Her stomach fluttered. "What kind of surprise?"

His smirk deepened. "You’ll see."

Just then, Theodore entered, clearing his throat. "Alpha, Beta Marcus is waiting for you in the study."

Sebastian sighed but stood. "Duty calls." He pressed a lingering kiss to Lillian’s temple. "Don’t go anywhere."

She watched him leave, her heart pounding.

What was he planning?

And more importantly—why did the thought of it make her blood sing?

I had no idea what to expect, but an outdoor light show gallery certainly wasn’t it. The entire place was buzzing with energy, the open-air space illuminated by breathtaking displays of light and art. It was the most mesmerizing sight I’d ever seen. Packmates from all over had contributed their artwork, each piece glowing under the most enchanting lighting imaginable. My mind spun as Nathaniel and I wandered through the exhibit.

Nathaniel had told me not to dress up, so I’d opted for dark jeans and a fitted blouse—just enough to tease a hint of cleavage without distracting him too much. Dominic had driven us, but he stayed in the car while we explored. Food trucks lined the street, and Nathaniel suggested grabbing a bite. I agreed, and we made our way over.

"How did you even find out about this place?" I asked between bites of my corn dog. Nathaniel had gone for a chili dog, and I couldn’t help but smile at the contrast—last night, we’d dined on gourmet cuisine, and now we were indulging in greasy street food.

He took a messy bite, smearing sauce on his cheek before washing it down with a sip of his oversized soda. "Victoria mentioned it," he admitted.

I frowned. "What?"

"She said she wanted to check it out. Figured it’d be fun for us too," he said with a casual shrug. My stomach twisted as I glanced around, my lips pressing into a thin line.

"Did she say she was coming?" I tried to keep my voice light, but the thought of Donovan showing up made my skin prickle. The last thing I needed was another confrontation.

"I think she changed her mind. She and Donovan have been arguing a lot lately," he murmured. "Doubt she was in the mood for anything tonight." I nodded, chewing my lower lip. Donovan hadn’t exactly been subtle with his hostility, and I worried it would ruin his relationship with Victoria. If they broke up, Sebastian would blame me—and I had no doubt he’d fire me.

"This is amazing," Nathaniel said, taking another huge bite. "Who knew messy food could taste this good?"

I laughed, grabbing a napkin and stepping closer to wipe the sauce from his cheek. "You’ve got a little something… everywhere," I teased.

After finishing our food, we tossed our trash and continued exploring. One sculpture in particular caught my eye—a stunning white marble carving of a woman. Her long, flowing hair cascaded around her slender waist, her gown clinging to her curves while still leaving enough to the imagination. She gazed up at the sky, arms outstretched as if reaching for the stars, her face bathed in moonlight.

The entire gallery shimmered under the soft glow of golden lights, but it was her—the marble statue of the Moon Goddess—that commanded attention, her ethereal beauty casting a spell over the space.

"Who is she?" I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper as I gazed into the statue's lifelike eyes, carved with such precision they seemed to hold secrets of the night.

Nathaniel stepped closer, his warmth brushing against my side. "The Moon Goddess," he murmured, his voice rich with reverence. "A celestial queen who watches over our kind."

"She's breathtaking," I admitted, unable to tear my eyes away.

His fingers found mine, intertwining gently, sending a jolt of warmth through me. "She is," he agreed, but when I glanced at him, he wasn’t looking at the statue. His dark eyes were fixed on me, intense and unreadable. My cheeks burned under his scrutiny, my pulse quickening.

The evening was nothing short of magical—soft jazz notes floated through the air, mingling with the hushed conversations of guests who moved through the gallery like shadows, careful not to disturb the sacred ambiance.

Nathaniel closed his eyes, swaying slightly to the melody. "I love this song," he confessed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

I arched a brow. "You listen to jazz?"

He cracked one eye open, mischief dancing in his gaze. "Religiously," he admitted. "Back in France, it was my escape. The saxophone, the piano—it reminds me of home."

"You've only been gone a few days," I pointed out. "Do you miss it?"

He shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "Parts of it, yes. My company, my friends. But there's something here that I can't find there."

I watched as he moved effortlessly to the rhythm, his body attuned to the music in a way that was almost hypnotic. "And what's that?" I pressed.

Instead of answering, he extended his hand toward me, palm up—an invitation. I hesitated, my breath catching. His lips curved into that boyish grin that always unraveled my defenses, and before I could second-guess myself, I placed my hand in his.

In one fluid motion, he pulled me into his arms, one hand settling at the small of my back while the other cradled mine with surprising tenderness. We moved together, swaying to the music as if we’d done this a thousand times before. Then, with a playful spin, he twirled me out before drawing me back against his chest, my back pressed to his front.

His breath tickled my ear as he finally answered, his voice low and rough. "You."

The world tilted as he dipped me backward, my head falling with a breathless laugh. But before I could fully process the rush, he pulled me upright again, our bodies flush, our steps perfectly in sync. Around us, guests paused to watch, their smiles knowing, but I barely noticed.

All I could see was him.