The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter
Chapter 228: Impossible

Chapter 228: Impossible

Natalie~

Zane’s rage filled the room like wildfire—hot, suffocating, and alive. He stood in the center of the living room with Alexander still tucked against his chest, but the gentle way he held his son was at violent odds with the storm in his eyes. His jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might snap. His entire body vibrated with a deadly calm I’d never seen before.

"Shadow and Kalmia used Griffin," he seethed, voice low, dangerous. "They came after you, Natalie. Kalmia tried to take you from me." His breath hitched—just slightly. "I’m going to kill her. Kalmia. Shadow. Every last cursed demon that breathes in their realm—I’ll burn them down until there’s nothing left but ash."

"Whoa—easy there, John Wick." Fox stepped in, placing a firm hand on Zane’s shoulder. "Let’s not go full genocide mode just yet."

Zane glared at him, pure fury in his storm-blue eyes.

"I’m serious," Fox said, voice firmer now. "You can’t kill Kalmia. Or Shadow. Even if you could find them."

Zane’s laugh was dry and humorless. "Try me."

Fox stepped back, rubbing a hand through his flame-red hair, visibly annoyed and oddly...pensive. "No, Zane. I’m being literal. Even if you stormed into the underworld armed with fire, lightning, and a damn tank, you wouldn’t be able to touch them. They’re ethereal. Beyond physical. You’d be swinging at shadows while they tear you apart from the inside."

Zane growled low in his throat. "Then I’ll find another way."

"Yeah?" Fox folded his arms, smirking. "Great. Hit me up when that actually happens." Zane didn’t appreciate the sarcasm, but Fox had already turned to me. His golden eyes locked on mine, sharp and unblinking. "Natalie," he said, voice low and serious. "This wasn’t how it was supposed to go."

I blinked, confused. "What?"

He leaned forward, scanning me like I was a puzzle missing half its pieces. "Kalmia... didn’t succeed."

"Uh. Yeah?" I snapped, folding my arms. "Obviously. I’m still standing, thank you very much."

But Fox didn’t smile. He didn’t even blink.

"That’s what’s bothering me," he said, slowly. "She should’ve. Kalmia should’ve taken your body last night. Easily."

Excuse me?

My brow shot up. "Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence, brother dearest."

Jasmine snorted inside me. "Say the word and I’ll roast his fire-bending butt like a marshmallow."

"Appreciated," I muttered.

Fox rolled his eyes. "Don’t take it personal, Nat. You’re stronger than most of our siblings—probably stronger than me, even. But you weren’t prepared for that attack. That’s what’s I’m trying to say."

"What do you mean?"

Fox began pacing, arms crossed, muttering to himself before finally speaking loud enough for the rest of us to hear.

"Listen. The soul sucker is ancient. Once the stone gets inside the spatial boundary of the intended host—meaning you, Natalie—it activates. Quietly. It starts siphoning the soul out while the victim sleeps, gradually weakening the tether between spirit and body."

He paused and looked up.

"The dream? That’s the final phase. Once you see them in the dreamscape, the swap is nearly complete. They usually strike then and finish it while the body is too confused to resist. You were at—at least 98% of the way gone."

Silence dropped in the room like a guillotine.

I felt my blood chill.

"I was... ninety-eight percent gone?"

He nodded. "And yet, you’re still here. Whole. Awake. You woke up." He rubbed the back of his neck. "That’s not supposed to happen."

"But it did happen," I said, trying to breathe normally even though my chest was tight.

Fox’s voice softened, concern etching into his features. "Yeah, Nat. It did. And i’m extremely grateful to mother that you’re okay. But, the situation is freaking me out."

I sat down slowly, heart thundering.

"Let me get this straight," I said, holding up a finger. "You’re telling me that Kalmia almost stole my body last night while I was sleeping, and I had no idea."

"Exactly."

"And you’re saying that once the dream starts... it’s game over."

"Basically."

"But I woke up. I survived."

"Yes!" Fox said, exasperated. "You broke the chain. You reversed the ritual mid-execution. That’s not just rare—it’s impossible."

"But... Jasmine was there," I murmured, thinking. "She helped."

"You say ’helped’ like I didn’t just bite off a demon’s ghostly hand." Jasmine’s voice was pure sass.

"I mean, she did fight," I added aloud. "She growled. She bit. She stood between me and Kalmia."

Fox shook his head slowly, a mix of frustration and disbelief in his eyes. "Not enough. Jasmine’s strong — hell, she’s freakishly strong. But even with the two of you pouring your energy in, flipping the soul sucker mid-possession? That’s never been done before. No one."

I glanced at Zane. He hadn’t budged. Instead, he was staring right through me, like he was trying to see every hidden thing I was holding inside. Awe? Fear? Maybe something deeper — like devotion I couldn’t quite put into words.

His voice came out rough, barely above a whisper. "Something protected you."

Fox’s eyes sharpened, nodding slowly. "Exactly. Something stepped in and stopped her. But what? That’s the question."

The room dropped into silence, heavy and thick.

After a long pause, Zane finally broke it. "Maybe our moon goddess had a hand in it?"

Fox glanced at me, his expression thoughtful, almost curious. "Maybe. Or maybe it was something else entirely."

Fox paced the room, each step heavy with purpose. "We have to figure out what stopped that crystal," he said, eyes sharp and focused. "If we don’t, we don’t stand a chance against Shadow and Kalmia. That stone isn’t just some random artifact — it’s a relentless predator. As long as it’s out there, it’ll keep coming back, over and over, trying to take over your body, Nat."

He stopped, turning to face me, his voice dropping low. "It won’t rest, won’t back down. It won’t return to its master until it’s completely taken you — until Kalmia has your body under her control."

My heart sank to my stomach.