The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter
Chapter 289: A Silver Lining

Chapter 289: A Silver Lining

Jacob~

I couldn’t shake the feeling of Mariel’s threat burning down my spine. Even hours after she disappeared into her violet mist, her words slithered through my chest like venom. Two days.

Two days to betray my children or lose Easter... and Rose.

I paced the darkened hotel hallway, silent as a ghost, my boots brushing against the worn carpet. My powers hummed beneath my skin like an angry swarm, clawing to be released. I could destroy Mariel with a flick of my wrist. I could unmake her existence, bend her mind into nothingness, but... the damned contract.

Gods above, I hated myself for signing that damn contract in a moment of desperation. Even back then, I’d known full well what she had become. Dream Weaver. Nightmare Crafter. She had long twisted her powers into something dark and vile, but I let my desperation win. And now, because of that cursed contract between us, my will was hers to command as long as she upheld her end of the deal.

And she did. As far as I could tell, anyway. The new reality she built for Easter was solid – airtight. No old memories could break through her woven illusions.

I clenched my fists, nails digging crescents into my palms as I slipped through the shadows. I was a god. Mist. Wolf Spirit. Father of all wolves. The night bent for me. Reality itself whispered at my feet. Yet here I was, forced into servitude by a witch with a parchment and ink.

I couldn’t leave Easter tonight. Not after what Mariel threatened. I shifted silently through the walls, weaving my essence into mist, until I stood in the corner of her room, unseen. The soft moonlight streaming through the parted curtains formed a gentle silver glow across Easter’s sleeping form. Her wild brown curls spilled across her pillow like an untamed river, framing her delicate face. Even in sleep, she looked worried, her brows twitching with some half-formed nightmare.

Beside her, little Rose snored softly, her chubby fingers curled around the edge of her bunny blanket. Donut lay at her feet, his orange tail flicking lazily in his dreams.

I let out a slow breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The sight calmed something in me. Despite the rot of Mariel’s threat coiling through my chest, despite the rage seething under my ribs, this room... this tiny hotel room with peeling wallpaper and a rattling air conditioner... it felt like home. Because they were here. My girls.

Hours passed in silence. I watched the clock tick by, every second tightening the noose around my throat. I was so lost in thought I didn’t notice Rose’s eyes flutter open until she sat up, blinking sleepily in the moonlight.

"Daddy Jacob?" she whispered, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fists. "Daddy Jacob, where are you?"

A small smile tugged at my lips despite the chaos in my chest. I allowed myself to become visible, stepping out of the shadows into the silvery glow.

"Hey, little cub," I murmured softly.

Her face lit up instantly, sleep melting from her eyes like ice under sunlight. "Daddy Jacob! I knew you were here" she squealed, nearly waking Easter. She reached out her arms and I crossed the room in two strides, kneeling by her bedside.

"Shhh, we can’t wake Mommy," I chuckled quietly, pressing a finger to my lips. Her giggle turned into a silent squeal as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She smelled like baby shampoo and warm dreams.

"Why’re you here?" she whispered into my ear, her curls tickling my cheek.

"I came to make sure my favourite cub was safe tonight," I said, pressing my forehead against hers. "But you can’t tell Mommy I was here, okay? It’s a secret between us, baby."

Her emerald eyes widened, shining with excitement. "Okay! It’s our secret!" She curled back under her blanket, clutching her bunny with one arm and patting my cheek with the other. "Goodnight, Daddy Jacob."

"Goodnight, Rose," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She was asleep again within seconds, a smile on her lips. I remained by her side until dawn began to bleed into the sky, then melted back into the shadows, unseen.

Morning came with golden light and the smell of instant coffee brewing in the tiny kitchenette. Easter stood by the counter, humming softly as she poured oatmeal into a bowl for Rose, who sat on the floor playing with Donut, babbling happily to him about fairies and wolves. The room felt alive with warmth and normalcy, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself imagine this was real. That I wasn’t a god bound by old mistakes. That I was just... Jacob. Her Jacob.

Her laughter filled the room as Donut attempted to swipe a piece of apple from Rose’s bowl, earning a scolding from the little girl.

"Donut! That’s mine! You can’t eat it!" Rose giggled.

Easter shook her head, smiling softly at her daughter. Her hair was a wild halo around her face, and her cheeks glowed with that natural blush that always made my chest ache.

But then... the air suddenly changed. My senses snapped to alert as the shadows twisted by the window. I saw her before Easter did. Mariel. She materialized out of violet mist, her silver eyes gleaming with cruel amusement as she locked gazes with me.

She tilted her head and mouthed two words silently:

"Two days."

And then she was gone, her scent of lavender rot lingering like a slap to the face.

The room remained still for half a heartbeat, and then Easter let out a sharp cry. The knife slipped from her grip, clattering against the floor with a harsh metallic echo. She staggered back, clutching her head like the pain might tear her apart, then seized the table, her fingers digging into the wood to keep herself from collapsing.

"Mommy?" Rose cried, her little eyebrows drawing together. Donut hissed, his fur bristling.

"I’m okay, baby," she whispered, forcing a smile that looked painful rather than sweet.

I nearly dropped to my knees right there, my heart slamming so hard I thought it might break my ribs. Mariel. You vile wretch. What did you do?

I wanted to appear to Easter instantly, to cradle her face in my hands and soothe whatever agony Mariel had inflicted. But I paused. She doesn’t remember. She didn’t remember the supernatural. If I appeared out of thin air now, she’d break. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically.

So I did the only thing I could. I slipped out of the shadows and walked to the door. My knuckles rapped softly against the peeling wood.

"Easter?" I called, my voice low and trembling despite my efforts. "Easter, it’s me. Are you okay? Rose, you in there, kiddo?"

Inside, I heard muffled sobs. Rose’s voice. "Mommy, open the door! It’s Daddy Jacob! Let him in, Mommy! He’s nice!"

My heart cracked at the desperation in her tiny voice.

"Rosie, listen to me," I heard Easter say, her voice raw with fear. "Did Jacob ever... did he ever do anything that made you feel scared? Did he ever hurt you?"

"No, Mommy. He tells me stories about wolves and magic. He says I’m brave like a wolf cub. He’s nice, I promise!" Rose replied cheerfully.

I closed my eyes, pressing my forehead against the doorframe. Gods, this is going to end badly if I don’t handle it right.

"Easter," I said softly, my throat tight. "Please, just open the door. I promise you, I’d never hurt you. I just want to help. Let me explain everything."

"Jacob," she finally spoke to me, her voice cracking. "How... how did you find us?"

There was a pause. The air felt thick, suffocating. I could hear her ragged breaths, her tears. I could feel her fear pulsing through the walls like a wounded animal.

"Easter, I swear, it’s not what you think. Can I come in? I’ll explain everything. I promise, I’d never hurt you or Rose." I replied softly, hoping it would reduce her fears even for a bit.

Finally, I heard the lock click. My chest seized with hope. The door cracked open just enough for me to see her emerald eyes, red and swollen from crying.

But before I could even smile in relief, her expression hardened. She shook her head fiercely, tears spilling down her cheeks. "No. I... I don’t trust you. Please... just leave us alone. If you don’t leave right now, I’ll call the cops."

My heart sank into my stomach like a stone. I opened my mouth to speak, to plead, but she shut the door in my face. The lock clicked back into place.

I stood there, staring at the faded number on the door, my chest heaving. My vision blurred with rage and sorrow. Mariel, you will pay for this. I turned to leave, ready to hunt her down and force her to undo whatever she’d done to Easter, when her voice stopped me again.

"Jacob...?"

I froze, my hand on the doorknob, hope flickering like a dying candle.

"I... I don’t know who you are," she whispered through the door, her voice trembling with confusion and grief. "But... I’m having these... memories. These dreams. In some... you’re good to me. You’re kind. But in others... in others you’re... you’re a murderer."

The air left my lungs in a single, shattered breath. My knees buckled and I caught myself against the door. Gods... she’s remembering.

Suddenly, clarity sliced through the fog in my mind. She isn’t just remembering what Mariel implanted minutes ago. She’s remembering everything. Who I am. Who she is to me. To us.

For the first time in what felt like forever, a slow, fierce smile curved my lips.

"Easter," I said softly, pressing my palm flat against the door as if I could touch her through the wood. "It’s okay. I know what to do now. I promise you, little dove... I’m going to fix this. All of it."