The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter
Chapter 276: He’s Back Again

Chapter 276: He’s Back Again

Natalie~

The air in Zane’s chambers felt thick, buzzing with an energy that gave me goosebumps. The muffled whispers and hurried footsteps outside the door sent my heart into a frantic gallop. Jasmine stirred within me, her presence a warm, fierce pulse in my chest, ready to spring into action. I glanced at Zane, his icy blue eyes already glinting with the predatory glow of Red, lurking just beneath the surface.

"Did you hear that?" I whispered through our mind link, my voice tight with unease.

"Yes," Zane growled back, his tone sharp as a knife. He was already on his feet, his broad shoulders taut, every muscle coiled like a spring. The easy warmth we’d shared moments ago—curled up in his oversized hoodie, laughing about cosmic pranks—was gone, replaced by the lethal edge of the Night Alpha.

I slid off the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor, and crept toward the door. "Do you think it’s... another test?" I asked aloud, my voice only a whisper, trembling despite my best efforts to keep it steady.

Zane’s gaze flicked to mine, his wolf flashing behind his eyes with a fury that made my breath catch. "I don’t know," he said, his voice low and deadly, each word dripping with menace. "But either way... we’re ready."

I nodded, swallowing hard, and reached for the door handle. My fingers trembled, but Jasmine’s strength surged through me, steadying my hand. "Let’s go, big guy," I muttered, forcing a smirk to hide the fear clawing at my insides. "Time to see what the Moon Goddess is throwing at us now."

Zane’s lips twitched, a ghost of a smile, but it vanished as he stepped in front of me, his massive frame shielding me as he pushed the door open. The hallway beyond was a nightmare painted in crimson. Blood streaked the marble floors, pooling in the crevices between tiles, glistening under the bright chandeliers. Dead wolves—palace guards, their fur matted with gore—lay scattered like broken toys, their lifeless eyes staring into nothing. The air reeked of iron and death, thick enough to choke on.

"Oh, Goddess..." I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. My knees wobbled, but Zane’s arm shot out, steadying me.

"Stay close," he growled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through my bones. His eyes scanned the carnage, every inch of him radiating lethal intent. Then, without warning, his body rippled, bones cracking and muscles shifting as he transformed. Red emerged, a colossal wolf with fur black as midnight, his size dwarfing even the largest alphas. Since Zane had become the Night Alpha, his power had tripled, and Red was a force of nature—terrifying, magnificent, unstoppable.

"Zane!" I called, my voice cracking as he bounded forward, claws scraping the blood-slicked marble. He didn’t look back, his massive form disappearing around a corner as snarls and the clash of teeth echoed through the halls.

I took a shaky breath, Jasmine urging me forward. "Move, Mara," she growled in my mind, her voice brimming with fire. "We’ve got work to do."

I ran after Zane, my heart hammering as I passed more fallen guards. Some were still alive, whimpering, their fur matted with blood. I dropped to my knees beside the first one, a young wolf with a gash across his chest. "Hold on," I whispered, pressing my hands to his wound. Warmth flowed from my palms, a soft golden glow spreading over his body. His breathing steadied, the wound knitting closed under my touch. "You’re gonna be okay," I murmured, brushing his fur before moving to the next.

One guard lay still, his chest unmoving, his eyes glassy. My throat tightened, but I placed my hands over his heart, calling on the power that had awakened in me. "Come back," I whispered fiercely. The air shimmered, and his chest heaved with a sudden gasp, his eyes blinking open. "Stay put," I told him, my voice firm despite the tears burning my eyes. I moved from one to the next, healing the injured, resurrecting the fallen, each act draining me but fueling Jasmine’s pride.

"You’re a damn miracle, Mara," she purred, her voice warm but edged with urgency. "But we need to find Alex."

My heart lurched. Alex. My sweet, golden-curled boy, playing with his grandfather when we’d left the throne room. "Zane," I called through our mind link, "I’m going to check on Alex and the king. Keep kicking ass."

"Be careful," he growled back, his voice strained with the sounds of battle—snarls, yelps, and the sickening crunch of bone.

I closed my eyes, focusing on Alex’s energy, that bright, sunny spark that always warmed my soul. The world blurred, and I teleported, the sensation like falling through starlight. When I opened my eyes, I was in the king’s private chambers, the air heavy with the scent of old books and polished wood. The massive four-poster bed stood in the center, draped in golden silk, and there, curled up in his grandfather’s arms, was Alex, fast asleep, his tiny chest rising and falling.

The king’s eyes were closed, his crowned head resting against the headboard, his blonde hair spilling over his shoulders. Relief flooded me, but I crept forward, my bare feet silent on the rug. "Your Majesty," I whispered, touching his arm.

His eyes snapped open, dark and sharp, and he nearly jolted upright before realizing it was me. "Natalie?" he gasped, his voice low to avoid waking Alex. "How did you—?"

"No time," I said, my words tumbling out in a rush. "The palace is under attack. Unknown men, blood everywhere. Zane’s fighting them off, but I had to make sure you and Alex were safe."

The king’s face hardened, his dark eyes blazing with a fury that reminded me of Zane. "An attack?" he growled, his voice low but lethal. He glanced down at Alex, still sleeping, oblivious to the chaos. "Thank you for coming, but you need to go back to Zane. He’ll need you."

"But Alex—" I started, my voice cracking as I looked at the boy who’d become my heart.

"He’s safe with me," the king said, his tone softening but firm. "I swear on my crown, no harm will come to him. The guards are ready, and I’ll summon more. Go, Natalie. Help my son."

I hesitated, my eyes locked on Alex’s peaceful face, his golden curls falling over his closed eyes. My chest ached, but the king’s steady gaze held mine, unwavering. "Please," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Zane needs you now. You’re his strength."

I swallowed hard, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Alex’s forehead, his skin warm under my lips. "Stay safe, little man," I whispered, my voice trembling. Then I stepped back, giving the king a nod. "Keep him safe."

"With my life," he vowed.

I closed my eyes, teleporting back to Zane, the world blurring again. When I materialized, the scene before me stole my breath. Zane, in his massive wolf form, stood frozen in the middle of a blood-soaked hall, his fur bristling, his eyes locked on a man I didn’t recognize. The stranger was tall, lean, with dark hair and a cruel smile that sent a shiver down my spine. Bodies—both attackers and guards—littered the floor, but the air between Zane and this man crackled with something personal, something vicious.

I reached out with my mind, brushing against the stranger’s thoughts, and my blood ran cold. Nathan. The king’s younger brother. The monster who’d killed all of Zane’s siblings. The name alone sent a wave of rage through me, Jasmine snarling in my chest.

"Zane," I whispered through our link, my voice trembling with the seriousness of what I’d just learned. "It’s Nathan."

His head didn’t move, but his growl vibrated through the bond, low and deadly. "I know."