The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter
Chapter 231: Griffin Back Home

Chapter 231: Griffin Back Home

Natalie ~

The room was still electric from Fox’s last words, thick with tension and warnings that slithered under my skin like ice water.

But I turned away from it all—from the ominous threat of the soul sucker stone, from Fox’s piercing stare, the kind that made you feel like he was peeling back your layers with a glance. Whatever had stopped that soul-sucking stone could wait—Griffin was what mattered right now.

His head still rested against my shoulder, fragile and quiet like something that could shatter if I moved too fast. But for the first time since he stumbled out into the dining room, there was a hint of life returning. The ghostly pallor in his face was fading ever so slightly, replaced with the faintest flush of warmth. His breaths were even. No more shaking. No more gasping like he was clawing his way out of a nightmare. No more coughing. He was still here.

Alive.

"Jasmine, what do you think?" I asked silently, gently brushing a damp strand of hair away from Griffin’s clammy forehead.

"He’s holding on," came her voice in my mind, calm but edged with concern. "Barely. But that celestial jolt you gave him? It’s holding Shadow’s darkness back. For now."

I gave a small nod to myself, not daring to shift too much. My legs were completely dead from sitting on the floor for so long, cradling him like something priceless I wasn’t ready to let go of. Maybe because—despite everything, despite all the pain he caused—I couldn’t just leave him to suffer. It didn’t feel right.

I drew in a slow breath and shifted slightly, lifting his head with care. He stirred at the movement, a soft groan slipping past his lips.

"Easy," I murmured, brushing my thumb across his cheek. "You’re safe now."

His eyes blinked open, cloudy but aware. "Natalie...?"

A faint smile tugged at my lips. "Yeah. I’ve got you."

With a soft grunt, I eased myself out from under him and stretched my aching legs, shaking the numbness away. Then I reached down and took his hand. He gripped it, unsteady and trembling like a newborn fawn, but he stood. He was on his feet. That was enough.

"I’m taking him home," I said firmly, turning to Zane and Fox.

Zane’s piercing blue eyes darted between us. His face gave nothing away, but I saw the storm brewing behind them. Still, he didn’t argue. Just nodded once, tight-lipped. "I’m coming with you."

Fox raised a brow and crossed his arms lazily, though his expression was all sharp edges. "I’ll stay. Somebody’s got to sweep this place for that soul-leech. If it’s still skulking around, I’ll sniff it out. Though my money’s on Shadow already snatching it up. Still, worth a look."

Griffin shifted, like he was about to speak.

I shot him a look and jabbed a finger in his direction. "Don’t even think about it. You’ll hack up a lung again."

He clamped his mouth shut, wincing. The guilt rolled off him in waves, heavy and hot like smoke from something that burned too long.

"Call me the second you find anything," I told Fox.

He gave me a lopsided grin, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Go play nurse, Hothead. I’ve got this under control."

Zane adjusted Alex in his arms—Alex, who’d cried himself into exhaustion. He let out a sleepy yawn, unaware that the storm hadn’t passed, only shifted directions.

I reached for Zane’s free hand, and with my other, squeezed Griffin’s gently.

"Hold on," I whispered, locking eyes with Griffin. "I’m using your energy trail to find your father."

The world twisted.

The room around us bled into shadows and sparks of starlight, and I felt Griffin’s aura guiding me through the tether of our joined hands. With a lurch and a sudden pull, the three of us landed—smack—in the grand living room of the Blackthorn estate.

The reaction of the house occupants was immediate and, frankly, hilarious.

The butler screamed. The maid also screamed. Griffin’s father, Michael Blackthorn, jolted from his luxurious leather chair with enough force to knock it over.

Michael’s eyes glowed, his hands already half-shifted into claws. "What in the moon’s name—!"

"Stand down!" I snapped, raising a hand like a command carved out of instinct.

The room froze. Silence hit like a wave crashing into glass—sudden and sharp.

Michael’s eyes locked on mine, chest rising and falling like he’d just run through a storm. For a long, tense beat, he didn’t move—then, slowly, he dropped to one knee. "My princess," he said, voice low and reverent, bowing his head. He turned stiffly toward Zane. "Your Highness."

I blinked. Hard. That was... definitely not what I saw coming. Heat rushed to my face. I could feel the blush burning through my skin like I’d been caught playing dress-up in royalty.

"Please—no, don’t," I said quickly, both hands up like I could physically push the formality away. "That’s really not necessary. Seriously."

Zane didn’t say a word, but I caught the glint in his eye—the kind of look someone gives when they’re enjoying something way too much.

Michael rose, his expression darkening with worry as he turned to his son. "Why are you here—with him?" His voice cracked with concern, eyes scanning Griffin, who honestly still looked like he’d crawled out of a grave and skipped breakfast.

Then Griffin stepped forward, throat raw and voice barely hanging on. "Because I... I did something unthinkable, Dad."

My head snapped toward him. "Griffin—!"

"I have to," he said, voice breaking, like each word cost him something. "He deserves to know."

He barely got the next word out before it happened again.

"Shadow," Griffin said.

Instantly, he buckled forward, coughing violently. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

"Griffin!" I screamed, catching him before he hit the marble floor.

"Did I not just say—don’t speak?!" I snapped, my voice breaking with panic as his blood smeared across my hands.

Michael rushed over, dropping beside us. "What’s happening?! What’s wrong with my son?!"

I looked at him over Griffin’s shaking body. "He’s cursed. He made some kind of deal with Shadow—the god of darkness—and now he’s paying the price."

Michael’s face drained of color. "Shadow... I thought that was just a legend..."

Griffin’s fingers twitched, reaching weakly for his father. "I’m sorry... Dad," he rasped, more blood bubbling from his lips. "I failed you... failed grandfather..."

"Oh, son, no—no, no," Michael choked, pulling Griffin against his chest. "You haven’t failed anyone. Just hold on. Please."

"I can’t die... not yet," Griffin whispered, eyes locking on mine. "Natalie... please take me to see Darius."

I stared at him, shocked. "What? Why would you want to see that monster?"

Griffin coughed again and turned his head slowly. "Because I have something to say to him. Something I have to say. I’ll never rest if I don’t."

Jasmine growled in my mind. "He better not be planning to do something stupid."

I sighed, brushing blood-matted hair from Griffin’s face. "Fine. But if you say anything related to that damn curse again, I swear I’ll muzzle you."

His lips twitched into a ghost of a smile.

I closed my eyes and summoned my power, wrapping him in light. His body jerked slightly as the healing surged through him again, sealing cracked veins and stitching together shredded energy.

"I’m going to regret this," I muttered. "Zane, ready?"

Zane nodded, still cradling Alex like the child was a priceless gem.

"Griffin, take your father’s hand."

Griffin’s trembling hand reached for his father’s, who grasped it tightly without hesitation.

I took a deep breath, reached for both Griffin and Zane, and pulled.

The world snapped like glass.

We landed with a crack of energy and a pulse of heat.

The air was damp. Cold. The scent of moss and old iron wrapped around us.

I opened my eyes—and froze.

Stone walls. Rusted bars. Chains hanging from the ceiling. Flickering torches lining the narrow corridor.

We were in a dungeon.

Griffin gasped beside me, his breath catching in his throat as his gaze swept across the gloomy chamber.

"What the hell...?" he whispered, his voice trembling with awe and dread.

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