The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter
Chapter 230: A Dream Beneath the Trees

Chapter 230: A Dream Beneath the Trees

Easter~

The drive had lulled Rose to sleep in the back seat, her small head resting against the side of her booster, curls bouncing slightly with each bump in the road. Her little lips were parted in a dream-induced smile, and I couldn’t help but stare at her. My baby. My miracle. The reason I’m still breathing.

I glanced at Tiger from the corner of my eye. His hands were steady on the wheel, his gaze focused forward, but there was something different about him today. His jaw was tense, and though he wasn’t speaking, I could sense something shifting beneath the surface—like an earthquake far below calm soil.

"We’re going into the woods?" I asked softly, breaking the silence that had settled between us like early morning fog.

Tiger only nodded, parking the car by a hidden trail. Trees lined both sides, towering high, their leaves whispering secrets in a breeze that smelled like moss and pine needles and something ancient.

"Yes," he said finally. "Our date’s inside the forest."

I blinked, caught off guard by his voice—so smooth, grounded, deeper than usual. Not just in sound. In weight. In meaning.

He stepped out first, circled to the back, and unbuckled Rose, cradling her tiny body against his chest. She stirred but didn’t wake. Then he turned to me and offered his hand.

"Come with me?"

I took it without hesitation, his palm warm and rough like bark. "Of course."

Tiger looked at me for a long moment before asking, "Do you trust me?"

I didn’t need to think. "With all my heart."

He exhaled then—slow and deliberate—and I swear, for the briefest second, it felt like the forest itself sighed with him. We stepped into the trees together, and suddenly it was like crossing into another world. The light changed—softer, golden. Sunbeams filtered through the canopy like ribbons. Moss cushioned our steps. Birds flitted ahead as if clearing the way.

"Whoa," I breathed, wonder curling down my spine like a slow chill. "Tiger... this place..."

He turned to me—not with the usual reserved nod, but with a smile that lit up his entire face, like the sun slipping out from behind clouds. "This place is alive," he said, voice deep and steady like a drumbeat in the earth. "It listens. It’s where I feel the most me. It’s ancient. Older than anything you’ve ever touched. Even older than me." He paused, eyes softening. "My mother gave it to me when I was five hundred. Still the greatest gift I’ve ever received."

I blinked, stunned, my grip on his hand tightening as the air around us shimmered like heat rising off stone.

"That’s... actually kind of beautiful. Damn," I said. "I can’t even begin to guess how old you are—Jacob too, for that matter. But you know what’s even crazier?"

He tilted his head, curious.

"You’re talking. Like, really talking. Are we in some enchanted zone that turns quiet guys into poets?"

Tiger’s laugh rumbled through the trees—low, warm, and real. "Maybe we are," he said, grin teasing. "Or maybe... this is just who I’ve always been."

The trail opened into a small clearing bathed in sunlight. A blanket appeared on the grass out of thin air—woven from threads of gold and forest green. A basket shimmered into existence beside it, and then, before my eyes, a spread of food unfurled across the blanket like magic: warm bread, fruit glistening with dew, golden-roasted meats, fresh cheese, sweet pastries, and even a bottle of dark red wine.

My jaw dropped. "Did you just... conjure a picnic?"

Tiger gave a small nod. "I made it with love."

I blinked again. "You and Jacob both have this habit of making food appear out of nowhere."

At that, Tiger’s smile faltered. Just for a blink. Barely noticeable—but I saw it. Something in his expression dimmed, even if just for a heartbeat.

He recovered quickly. "That’s because we’re the best of brothers."

I looked away politely, pretending not to notice the strange flicker in his mood, but it settled somewhere in my chest like a pebble dropped into a quiet pond.

Rose finally woke with a yawn and a sleepy blink. "Mama... where are we?"

"In the forest, baby," I said, lifting her to the blanket. "Tiger brought us here for a picnic."

Her emerald eyes—so much like mine—lit up. "Picnic! Yay!"

She squealed as squirrels darted near, chittering curiously. Then a gentle deer stepped into the clearing, followed by rabbits, a family of foxes, even a tiny owl that perched on a low branch watching us with luminous eyes.

Tiger knelt and waved his hand, and to my utter shock, plates of food multiplied beside the animals. The creatures didn’t hesitate—they ate with surprising manners, as if they understood they were invited guests.

"Tiger," I breathed. "Why are they alway not afraid."

"They know I’m part of the earth. I called them here," he said simply. "And they know I would never harm them."

Rose squealed again when butterflies began to swirl around her head like a living crown. Then—just when I thought the wonder had peaked—tiny glowing figures began to peek from the bark of trees and blades of grass.

"What the... Pixies are here too?" I gasped.

Tiger nodded with a quiet grin. "Curious little things."

The pixies fluttered forward, sparkling like moonlight, and one of them landed on Rose’s shoulder, making her giggle.

"This... this is like a fairytale. It’s just like that carnival. Are they as feisty as fairies?" I whispered.

Tiger sat beside me, and for the first time in all the time I’d known him... he made a joke.

"Careful," he said, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Last guy who called them fairies got turned into a frog. A glowing one. Real easy to spot. Owl scooped him up like a midnight snack."

I burst into laughter, clapping a hand to my mouth in surprise. "Did you just make a joke?"

"I’ve been practicing," he said with a smirk. "Just for you."

I looked at him, heart suddenly full, and everything fell quiet again. The forest, the warmth, the magic—everything pressed in around us like a dream. Rose was chasing butterflies. The animals were at peace. The world, for once, wasn’t hurting.

"Easter," Tiger said after a moment, his voice softer now. "How have you been feeling? Are the nightmares gone?"

I hesitated. Swallowed. Lied.

"I’m fine now. Haven’t had a nightmare in days."

I prayed he didn’t catch the crack in my story. I’d barely slept last night. I’d lied to Jacob about it this morning too. I was terrified—terrified that if he knew, he’d wipe it all away. Wipe me away. My pain, my journey. My memories. My love for him. For all of them.

I couldn’t let that happen.

Tiger studied me for a moment, then smiled. "I’m happy you’re okay."

There was a pause before he spoke again, but when he did, his voice trembled ever so slightly.

"I’ve never had a real friend before."

My breath caught. "Tiger..."

"You’re my best friend, Easter. You’ve brought so much sunshine into my life. I was... always silent. Always in the shadows. But you make me feel like I matter. Like I’m more than the silence." He looked down at his hands, calloused and stained with soil. "Please... never forget that."

Tears pooled in my eyes before I could stop them. "Oh, Tiger..."

I reached for him and squeezed his hand.

"I’ve never had a real friend either," I whispered. "Not until I met Natalie. And Jacob. And you." I smiled through the blur of tears. "You’re one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. You’re my best friend too. And I promise—I’ll never forget it. I love you so much, Tiger."

His expression crumpled, just for a heartbeat, but he gave a nod and whispered, "Thank you."

We spent the rest of the day laughing. Playing. Rose danced with the pixies. Tiger transformed into a tiger just so Rose could ride on his back and pretend she was a forest queen. He showed me trees that sang when touched and flowers that opened only to laughter. I’d never felt so safe, so cherished, so seen.

It was only when the sky began to blush orange and Rose yawned for the fifth time that we knew the day had to end.

Tiger carried her gently to the car, tucking her into the seat with the care of someone who truly loved her. I followed silently, heart aching, somehow knowing this had been more than just a picnic.

But I couldn’t place a finger on what it meant.

When we pulled up to Jacob’s house, I undid my seatbelt slowly. Tiger came around, unbuckled Rose, then looked at me with something raw in his eyes.

He wrapped one arm around Rose, one around me, and held us both close—tight, trembling.

"I love you both," he whispered. "Very much."

Before I could say anything, before I could ask what this strange mood meant, he stepped back, climbed into the car, parked it perfectly... and vanished.

Just like that.

Gone. Without a word more. Without looking back.

"Tiger?" I called faintly, but the air swallowed my voice.

Something was wrong. He’d been too open. Too warm. Too everything.

But before I could dwell on it, footsteps echoed behind me. I turned—and there was Jacob at the front door, arms spread like a scene from a dream, that brilliant smile lighting up his face.

"Welcome home," he said.

I pulled Rose in tighter against my chest... and forced a smile of my own.

But beneath it, my heart murmured:

Something’s coming.

And I have no idea what it is.

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