The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter
Chapter 54: A Choice

Chapter 54: A Choice

Zane~

I clenched my jaw so tightly I could feel the pressure in my skull.

Jacob was testing me. Pushing me. Enjoying it.

Red growled in my head. "Be smart, Zane. If they wanted you dead, they would’ve done it already. We will get back at them for this but not now. Don’t let your temper cost us Natalie."

I exhaled sharply, forcing my pulse to steady. Fine. I’d play along. But if this was a trap, they would regret underestimating me.

I turned to Jacob, my voice controlled but sharp. "What do you want from me?"

Jacob smirked. "I think you already know."

I met his gaze, unflinching.

His smile deepened, amused. "Alright, I’ll spell it out for you. What do you feel for Natalie? And why do you feel that way?"

I stiffened. I hated being interrogated—especially like this, backed into a corner with no way out.

I took a slow breath, ignoring Red’s restlessness in my mind. "I don’t know how to define what I feel exactly." My voice came out lower than I intended. "But I know I want her safe. Protected. I want her to be happy."

Jacob studied me, his eyes leveled. Then he tilted his head. "If you care about her that much, then why didn’t you hold on to her when she was hurting? Why did you let her run away?"

My stomach twisted.

Had she told them?

Had Natalie told them what happened between us?

I forced myself to stay composed. "I..." My fingers curled into fists at my sides. "I was caught up in the situation. I—" I stopped, exhaling sharply. "I was afraid."

Jacob’s eyes flickered with something I couldn’t place. "Afraid of what?"

I hesitated. These men, for some reason, already knew so much about me; I guessed there was no point hiding the truth from them. And if they were sent by my uncle, I would find a way to handle them later. So for the first time in a long time, I forced myself to be real with someone.

"My life has been in danger since the day I was born," I admitted. The room felt smaller as the words left my mouth. "My uncle killed all my siblings because he wanted the throne. Every single one. My father barely managed to keep me alive. I’ve been in hiding all my life, moving from place to place, training, preparing—just so I can take back what’s mine and put an end to this cycle of bloodshed."

Jacob crossed his arms, listening, but I saw the slight shift in his expression.

I went on. "I’ve struggled. Fought. Endured things no one should have to endure—just for that single purpose. And then... I found Natalie." My voice dropped slightly. "The girl who walked into my house and made it bright, who cared for my son, the one we both grew attached to. And then I found out she was a wolfless werewolf."

Everyone was quiet.

Jacob didn’t move, but I could feel Fox and Eagle watching me closely.

I forced myself to keep going. "Do you know what that means?" My voice was bitter now. "Do you know what it would do to everything my father and I have worked for if people found out that the future Lycan King was living with a wolfless werewolf?" I let out a short, humorless laugh. "It would ruin everything. Not just for me—but for my son, too."

I met Jacob’s gaze head-on. "And not just that. Natalie would be in danger if my father found out what she was. The werewolf world doesn’t tolerate wolfless wolves, Jacob. So the best thing I could do for myself, her and everyone... was let her go."

Jacob stared at me for a long time. Then he exhaled, shaking his head. "Wow. So noble of you, Prince Zane." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Sacrificing the poor girl for the greater good."

Eagle snorted. "Yeah, real inspiring."

My jaw clenched, but before I could respond, Jacob took a step closer. "Then answer me this, Your Highness. If you were so convinced that letting her go was best for everyone, why are you here now? Why are you chasing after her?"

I exhaled through my nose. "Because..." My voice faltered. "Because I couldn’t do it."

Jacob arched a brow. "Couldn’t do what?"

"Stay away from her, the pain was too much." I admitted.

Eagle scoffed. "You didn’t even try to stay away. You folded in half a day."

I shot him a glare.

Eagle smirked. "Maybe if you actually gave it time, the pain would fade."

Red snarled in my mind. "No. It wouldn’t."

I smirked slightly at Eagle. "Don’t ask me how I know this, but I’m certain it never will."

Fox chuckled. "Sounds like someone’s in love."

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. "That’s not possible. Werewolves only love once. Mine is dead."

Jacob sighed. "Well, that’s just great. You’re a walking mess." He looked at me pointedly. "So what are you going to do now that Natalie won’t be going back with you?"

I tensed. "Is that what she wants?"

Jacob shook his head. "No. But it’s what’s best for her."

My teeth clenched. "Who the hell gave you the right to determine what’s best for her?"

Jacob’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. "The person who gave me that right is far above your league, Prince."

My fingers twitched with the urge to grab him by the collar and strangle him, but I restrained myself.

Jacob folded his arms. "Just accept it, Zane. Say goodbye to her and go back home."

A muscle ticked in my jaw.

The words echoed in my head, grating on my nerves like nails against stone.

I scowled. I had never liked being told what to do, but what truly fueled my irritation was the cold, hard truth that I was powerless against their magic. There was nothing I could do. Nothing to take Natalie away from these people.

And that fact infuriated me.

Who the hell were they, anyway? Why were ethereal beings hovering around her like some kind of celestial guardians? What made them the judge of what was best for Natalie? I didn’t trust them.

I knew I couldn’t leave her here alone with them. Red and I would go insane.

Swallowing my pride, I forced the words out. "How long are you planning to keep her here?"

Jacob tilted his head, pretending to think. "I would have loved it to be indefinitely, but... four years."

Four. Years.

My stomach dropped.

Jacob smirked at my reaction, folding his arms across his chest. "Four years. She’ll go to school, get her certificate, and if she wants, she can chase any other dream she has. By the end of those four years, she’ll be strong enough to stand on her own feet."

My throat tightened. Four years away from her?

Even Red groaned in pain inside my head.

Jacob glanced at me, waiting for a response.

I swallowed hard.

Four years.

I had waited my whole life to claim my throne.

What was four more years?

But the thought of not seeing her every day... of not hearing her voice... of Alex waking up everyday and realizing she wasn’t there—

I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t do it.

I forced myself to breathe.

The choices were: leave now and never came back or leave now and come back in 4 years time.

No matter what I chose, I would lose.

Jacob and his friends watched me, amused but patient. "So, what’s it gonna be, Prince?" Jacob asked.

Desperation surged through me, and before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out.

"Then I’ll stay." Nora was going to kill me.

Jacob, Eagle, and Fox froze.

"...What?" Jacob asked, his smirk faltering slightly.

"I’ll stay here with Natalie for those four years," I repeated, my voice firm. "If she has to go through this, then I’ll be by her side."

Jacob exchanged looks with Fox and Eagle. I could feel them talking through their mind link, like some exclusive club I wasn’t a part of.

Finally, Jacob turned back to me. "Are you sure?" His voice held an unusual seriousness. "Because we won’t tolerate you playing with her feelings if you change your mind later on."

I clenched my jaw. "I don’t go back on my word."

Again, the trio shared another silent conversation. It was infuriating.

Then, Jacob smiled. "We like your answer, Prince."

I barely held back an eye roll. I had never been treated like this before—like some obedient child they were testing. Someday, I swore, I’d get back at them for this.

Fox snapped his fingers, and suddenly, my neatly folded clothes appeared on the couch beside me.

Eagle grinned. "Get dressed, Prince. I’m about to bring down the air barrier."

I had never felt so humiliated. My pride as an Alpha prince was bruised beyond repair. But I swallowed it down and hurriedly dressed, promising myself again that I’d get back at them for this.

Once I was clothed, Jacob motioned to me. "Knock."

I frowned. "What?"

Before I could ask what the hell he meant, Eagle snapped his fingers, and suddenly—

I was outside.

I blinked, stunned. Then realization hit me. .

"Knock."

Gritting my teeth, I lifted my hand and knocked on the door.

A moment later, the door swung open, revealing the white-haired man I’d seen earlier. He leaned lazily against the doorframe, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Well, well," he drawled. "Welcome, Your Highness."

I fought the urge of another eyes roll. Instead, I kept my expression impassive. "I’m here to see Natalie."

His smirk widened. "Of course." He stepped aside. "Come on in."

I walked inside, my senses immediately honing in on Natalie’s scent. The white-haired man gestured for me to follow him, leading me into the living room.

Natalie sat on the couch, watching a movie with the other man. She looked... relaxed. Comfortable. Safe. I wouldn’t be fooled by appearances.

The white-haired man cleared his throat. "Natalie, you have a visitor."

Natalie turned toward us and froze.

Her eyes went wide as she shot up to her feet, staring at me like she couldn’t believe I was real.

I opened my mouth, already forming an apology for the way I’d treated her before—

But before I could get a single word out—

She ran straight into my arms.

Her hands gripped my shirt as she buried her face in my chest, her voice breaking. "You’re here... You found me."

For a moment, I stood frozen. Then, instinct took over.

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly. "I told you," I murmured. "I made you a promise. I’ll always be by your side."

The pain, the humiliation, the ridiculous mind games Jacob and his friends had put me through—

This hug made it all worth it.

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