The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter
Chapter 78: A Vision Of Shadows

Chapter 78: A Vision Of Shadows

Natalie~

Zane held me close, his arms wrapped tightly around me, as though he never wanted to let go. His lips brushed against my forehead, then my cheek, and finally, he captured my mouth in a slow, lingering kiss. I melted into him, savoring the way his lips moved against mine—gentle yet demanding, soft yet completely consuming.

When he finally pulled away, he sighed, resting his forehead against mine. "I don’t want to leave," he murmured, his voice deep and filled with frustration. "But I can feel it, Natalie... there’s trouble at home."

I slid my fingers through his thick blonde hair, tugging gently as I whispered, "Whatever it is, you’ll be okay. We’ll be okay." My voice held steady, but deep inside, a strange unease settled in my stomach.

Zane let out a breath and smiled, his intense blue eyes searching mine. "I love you," he said, his voice raw, unguarded.

Warmth spread through my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile. "I love you too, my prince."

He chuckled softly at the nickname, shaking his head. I reached up, pressing a kiss to his jaw before pulling back. "Come on, we should head back. I promised Alex I’d be back soon to play with him, and I didn’t keep my word."

Zane groaned, flipping me onto my back with a mischievous smirk. His hands skimmed down my sides, fingers grazing my skin in a way that sent shivers down my body. "Promises, promises," he murmured, nuzzling my neck. "Why do you always make promises you can’t keep, hmm?"

Before I could respond, he tickled my sides, making me gasp and burst into laughter. "Zane—stop! I mean it!"

His smirk deepened. "Oh, but I’m not done with you yet," he murmured, lips grazing my collarbone. "You’re too delicious to have only one serving."

Heat pooled in my stomach as I smacked his chest playfully. "I never knew you were this naughty, Zane."

His eyes darkened, and suddenly, his lips were on mine again—this time, filled with more hunger, passion.

And just like that, we lost ourselves in each other once more.

—

When the heat of our second round finally settled, I lay on my back, breathless, my body tangled with Zane’s. A lazy, satisfied smile stretched across my lips as I traced small circles on his chest. He chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead before sitting up.

"We should get dressed before Sebastian has a heart attack," Zane said, smirking.

I giggled as I sat up with him, helping him slip his shirt back on while he helped me with mine. Between kisses, teasing, and lighthearted laughter, we somehow managed to make ourselves look somewhat decent again.

Zane took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. His eyes softened as he looked around. "This place is beautiful... I don’t want to leave just yet."

I cupped his cheek, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. "We can come back anytime," I murmured against his mouth. "You only have to say the word."

A slow smile stretched across his lips. He pulled me into a warm embrace. "Thank you, Natalie."

I rested my head against his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my cheek. Then, with a thought, I teleported us back to Zane’s living room.

The moment we appeared, a loud, irritated voice cut through the room.

"Oh, finally!" Sebastian huffed, throwing his hands in the air. "So you two just abandoned me with two unconscious people and ran off to—" He paused, narrowing his eyes at our tangled hands, our slightly tousled hair, and the way Zane’s lips were still a little swollen. "Oh. Oh."

Zane smirked. "Jealous?"

Sebastian scoffed. "Of you? Please. But if you two are done rolling around like lovesick pups, maybe you’d like to help with the mess you left behind?"

Zane and I exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter. I smirked at Sebastian. "You should hurry up and find your mate already. Maybe then you wouldn’t be so grumpy."

Laughter rippled through the room, but Sebastian just groaned, rubbing his temples. "I swear, you two are unbearable."

Zane grinned. "And yet, you love us."

Sebastian only shook his head in mock defeat.

But just as the lighthearted moment settled, Sebastian’s nostrils flared. His sharp gaze snapped to me, his expression changed. He took a deliberate step closer, inhaling deeply.

"You don’t smell like him anymore."

Zane and I froze.

Sebastian’s words hit me like a rock. I immediately knew who he meant. He meant Alpha Darius. That awful, suffocating scent that had clung to me like a curse—it was gone.

Jasmine’s voice purred smugly in my head. "Obviously. I wiped that disgusting stench the second I arrived. You’re welcome."

A shocked breath left my lips as I turned to Zane, eyes wide with excitement. "Jasmine says she erased Darius’s scent the moment she came back."

Zane blinked before his face split into a slow, disbelieving grin. Then, in the next heartbeat, he grabbed me, spinning me around before pulling me into a tight embrace. "It’s really gone?" he murmured against my hair, his voice heavy with happiness as he sniffed me again and again.

"Completely," I whispered back, overwhelmed by the sheer weight lifting off my shoulders.

Sebastian snorted. "Alright, alright. Enough with the mushy stuff." But there was the smallest hint of amusement in his voice.

Zane chuckled as he set me down, still beaming as he kissed me once more. But just as he turned back to Sebastian, the joy in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something more serious.

"My father called," he said, voice tightening. "He wants me to come to Golden City. Immediately."

The warmth in the room vanished.

Sebastian straightened, his teasing demeanor gone in an instant. "Why? Did he say what’s wrong?"

Zane shook his head. "No. Just that I have ’a lot to explain.’"

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "Then I’m going with you."

The moment he said it, something strange flashed before my eyes. A vision. It was a vision of a woman—stunningly beautiful, yet shrouded in mystery. She clutched a wooden stake, her voice calling out sweetly.

"Sebastian..."

A shiver ran down my spine.

"Mara, I see darkness and trouble," Jasmine’s voice whispered in my mind.

"I see it too," I whispered back.

I took a deep breath and looked at Zane and Sebastian. "If you’re going... take Tiger and Fox with you."

Both of them looked at me in surprise.

"Why?" Zane asked.

I hesitated. "I don’t know... I just have a gut feeling?"

Sebastian narrowed his eyes at me. Then, after a beat, he nodded. "I’ll trust your instincts. You’re not the old Natalie anymore."

Zane chuckled, wrapping an arm around my waist. He kissed my forehead. "I’d do anything to make you happy."

Sebastian made a gagging noise. "For the love of the gods, stop being so disgustingly sweet."

I laughed, and Zane smirked.

I made a quick mind link to Jacob. "Bring Alexander and the others."

Jacob responded instantly. "Got it."

Ten minutes later, a rush of energy filled the room as Jacob, Tiger, Eagle, Bubble, and Fox appeared.

And in Eagle’s arms—was Alex.

The little boy squealed with delight. "That was so much fun! Can we do it again?"

Zane chuckled, stepping forward just as Alex wriggled out of Eagle’s grasp and ran straight into his arms. Zane lifted him easily, holding him close.

"Daddy!" Alex beamed. "I had so much fun with Uncle Mist, Tiger, Bubble, Eagle and Fox!"

Zane kissed the top of his head. "Wow, buddy. You had that much fun, huh?"

Alex nodded eagerly, then turned to me. "Mommy Natalie, where were you? You promised to come back and play!"

Before I could answer, Zane smirked. "Mommy Natalie and I had fun too, Alex."

Sebastian scoffed loudly. "Oh, we know you had fun. Too much fun."

Laughter erupted around us as Zane and I blushed under their teasing.

Zane adjusted Alex on his hip, his piercing eyes locked onto mine as he spoke. "Alex, Daddy has to go see Grandpa back in our country," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "I’ll be going with Uncle Seb, Tiger, and Fox."

Tiger and Fox, who had been standing a few feet away, both raised an eyebrow in unison before their gazes flicked to me. Through the mind link, Fox’s voice slid into my head, smooth and teasing as ever.

"You want us to go with him because Sebastian is tagging along right?"

Tiger, ever the silent one, simply observed, his green eyes thoughtful as he waited for my response. I exhaled, my fingers curling slightly.

"Yes... But, it’s not just that," I admitted, my voice steady but laced with unease. "There’s a dark cloud hovering around them both, but it’s heavier on Sebastian. Something’s coming, and I don’t like it."

There was no argument. Tiger and Fox could feel it too, so they immediately responded.

"We’ll protect them," Fox promised, his usual playfulness absent. "Don’t worry."

"Stay calm, little moon," Tiger added, his deep voice filled with quiet reassurance. "We won’t let anything happen."

I nodded slightly, though my stomach remained twisted in knots.

My attention snapped back to Zane and Alex as Zane ran his fingers through Alex’s dark curls. "Do you want to come with me, buddy, or would you rather stay here with Mommy Natalie, Uncle Mist, Eagle, and Bubble?"

Alex pursed his lips and tapped his chin, pretending to think hard. The room fell into silence, everyone watching him with amusement. Then, with a dramatic gasp, he grinned and clung to me. "I’ll stay with Mommy Natalie!"

Zane let out a deep, knowing laugh. "I thought as much."

Alex giggled, then his face fell slightly. "But don’t stay too long, Daddy," he pouted. "I’m going to miss you."

Jacob, who had been lounging against the wall with a smirk, finally spoke. "Don’t worry, little pup. If you miss him too much and can’t bear it anymore, I’ll personally teleport you to wherever he is."

Alex’s eyes widened with excitement. "Really?!"

Jacob nodded, ruffling Alex’s hair. "Of course."

"Yay!" Alex cheered before turning to Zane and wrapping his little arms tightly around his neck. "I love you, Daddy."

Zane kissed his son’s cheek, holding him close. "I love you too, little warrior."

Two hours later, the goodbyes had stretched longer than expected—mostly because Zane refused to let go of me. His lips trailed over my forehead, my cheek, my jawline, and then he captured my lips again, stealing my breath with a kiss that made my toes curl.

Sebastian groaned loudly in the background. "For the love of the gods, can you stop devouring her? We have a flight to catch!"

Fox laughed. "You should let them be, Seb. Who knows? Maybe this is Zane’s last kiss ever."

Zane shot him a glare. "Not helping."

Bubble, who had appeared just in time to witness Zane’s refusal to leave, smirked. "If you don’t leave now, we’ll have to drag you away."

Jacob cracked his knuckles. "I’ll do it. Happily."

Zane growled lowly at him, but before he could argue further, Bubble and Jacob physically shoved him toward the door.

"Alright, alright!" Zane barked, throwing one last look at me. "I’ll be back soon, my love."

I smiled, shaking my head. "You’d better."

With that, Zane, Sebastian, Tiger, and Fox finally left for the airport.

Once Zane Was Gone...

The house felt a little quieter without Zane’s presence, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Alex, still buzzing with energy, bounced a ball between his small hands, his laughter echoing as he ran out of the living room, disappearing down the hall. I smiled at him, my heart swelling with warmth.

Just as I turned my attention back to Jacob, he spoke. "I found the girl you were looking for."

I froze, my eyes widening before a rush of happiness surged through me. "You did?"

Jacob smirked at my reaction. "Yeah. You’re not going to cry, are you?"

"Oh, shut up!" I swatted his arm before launching myself at him in a hug. "You’re the best big brother alive!"

Jacob chuckled, squeezing me back. "A little dramatic, aren’t we? I still don’t trust you."

I pulled away, grinning up at him. "No, I’m serious! Thank you!"

His brown eyes softened. "You don’t have to thank me, Nat. I’d do anything for you."

I was about to respond when—

A scream shattered the moment.

Alex’s scream.

My heart slammed into my ribs, my breath catching painfully in my throat.

It wasn’t a playful squeal. It wasn’t laughter.

It was pure, unfiltered terror.

Jacob and I exchanged a sharp look before we bolted toward the sound, my pulse hammering like a drum.

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

And I wasn’t about to let anything happen to my son.

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