The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter

Natalie~

I held my father's hand tight as I half ran, half jogged after him trying to keep up with his long strides. My legs were killing me but I didn't slow down.

The village was alive around us; the air was buzzing and every heart was racing. Everyone was getting ready for the royal family's arrival. Our pack, Silverfang, was hosting them this year. The royal family visiting any pack was such an honor that my father had said it could change a pack's fate forever.

The whole pack was buzzing. Wolves were moving back and forth carrying decorations, food and making sure the grounds were perfect. The pine scent of the trees mixed with the sweat of nervousness as I overheard snatches of excited chatter about the honor the pack was about to receive. I barely noticed the beauty of the forest around us, the trees towering above us in golden morning light.

Father walked with determination, his jaw clenched and his shoulders squared. Even though I was only thirteen I could sense something was going to go down soon. "Dad," I asked hesitantly, my voice shaking, "with everything that's going on do you think it will be okay for us to go see Alpha Darius?"

He looked down at me for a moment, his usual warm gray eyes clouded with worry. "I'll explain everything to him, I'm sure he'll understand, Natalie. Just stay close, okay?"

The Alpha's residence was ahead, a massive structure made of dark stone and columns. It was fitting for Alpha Darius Blackthorn, a man who commanded respect and fear. Our house was big, but his was enormous. My father, Evan Cross, was the Beta, the Alpha's right-hand man and closest friend. He was always given the tasks that kept him close to the Alpha. But today my father's usual calm and authoritative self was replaced with pure anxiety.

We entered the Alpha's residence and I followed my father inside, my legs aching from the distance we had walked. The foyer was as impressive as ever, dark wood beams and a fireplace that did nothing to warm the cold feeling in my bones. My father didn't stop to look around. He went straight to Alpha Darius's office, his boots clicking on the polished floor.

When we reached the office my father knocked once and Alpha Darius's deep, commanding voice answered, "Enter."

Father opened the door and I followed him in. The Alpha sat behind his massive oak desk, his broad shoulders squared and his black as coal eyes looking up at us. His dark hair was flecked with silver and the scar across his left cheek only added to his menace. But when his eyes landed on me his usual stern face relaxed into a small smile—one I had grown to cherish.

"Evan," the Alpha said, his voice low and steady. "What are you doing here? And why is your daughter looking so spooked?"

My dad rushed forward, his hands on the desk. "Darius, it's Isla. She's been taken. I – I found Natalie crying this morning when I got back from my duties and she told me Isla was taken yesterday.

Alpha Darius's brows furrowed. "Taken? By who?"

"Unknown people. I don't know, Darius!" my dad's voice broke. "I have to go get her." He said.

The Alpha's face turned cold and he leaned forward. "Evan, this is bad news but the royal family is arriving today. You're needed here. We can't afford to slip up in front of them."

"Darius," my dad begged, his voice shaking, "please, let me go get her. She could be in danger, I'm begging you."

Alpha Darius's tone grew firm. "No. You're the Beta and your absence right now would be an embarrassment to the pack. After the royal family leaves in four days I'll personally help you find her. But until then you stay here."

"Four days?" my dad asked, his voice breaking. "Darius, she could be dead by then! Please, I'll go alone—I just need your permission."

Alpha Darius's face turned stone. "No. You're needed here. This conversation is over. Go and make sure everything is flawless."

My dad's shoulders slumped and his face contorted in defeat and pain. He didn't argue further but I could see the anguish in his eyes. As we left the office he was silent, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he might crack his teeth.

Instead of taking me home my dad took me to my best friend Malcolm's house. His parents, a lovely couple, welcomed us warmly but looked worried when they saw my dad's face.

Stay here, Natalie, my dad said, crouching in front of me. I'll bring your mom back. I promise.

But what about the Alpha? I whispered, my voice trembling. What if he gets mad?

My dad smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it. He kissed my forehead and we did our secret handshake—a series of silly taps and gestures that always made me laugh. But this time I couldn't manage a smile.

"I love you, Natalie," he said, his voice choked.

"I love you too, Dad."

He hugged me hard and I felt like a piece of me was walking out the door with him.

Later that afternoon I joined Malcolm's family—his mom, dad, sister and twin brothers—on the walk to the celebration. A thrill of excitement ran through me; I'd always wondered about the royal family. They were said to be chosen by the goddess herself and a prophecy my mom always told me said every four thousand years the goddess sent her beloved daughter into their line. This celestial heir was supposed to bring light and joy to the world through the royal bloodline. Though no signs of her reincarnation had shown up yet the royal family was an impressive presence, shrouded in mystery and reverence.

But my excitement was short lived.

We hadn't even made it to the party grounds before two enforcers blocked our path, their massive bodies looming over us. "The Alpha wants to see you," one of them said, his voice slicing through the air.

My heart raced. Malcolm's mom put a hand on my shoulder but the flicker of fear in her eyes was impossible to miss. We were silent and we were led to the Alpha's mansion.

Inside the living room Alpha Darius prowled like a caged animal, every step exuding tension and contained power. The air was thick and heavy and I prepared myself for whatever was coming.

As soon as he saw us he erupted. "Where is he?" he bellowed, his eyes flashing.

I shrank back from his gaze, my voice trembling. "He went to get my mom."

Alpha Darius's glare turned to Malcolm's dad. "Is this true?"

Malcolm's dad hesitated before nodding. "Yes, Alpha. He dropped Natalie off this morning and—"

"And you didn't tell me?" The Alpha's voice was a whisper and that was worse than his yelling.

"I... I didn't think I had to," Malcolm's dad stammered. "The Beta often leaves Natalie with us—"

"Enough!" Darius barked. "Take them all to the dungeon. All of them."

********

The cold, damp cell became my world for the next four days. Fear gripped my heart, hunger gnawed at my stomach and thirst burned my throat. Malcolm, his siblings and I huddled together for warmth, the fear in their eyes matching my own while their parents were put in another cell.

On the fifth day the enforcers hauled us out. We were weak and dirty and stumbled into the sunlight only to be marched straight to the execution grounds.

The crowd parted as we were forced to our knees in the dirt. Whispers reached my ears: "Traitor's daughter." "They'll all die for this."

I stared at my parents. My mom looked broken and battered; her once bright blue eyes were empty, kneeling beside my dad who looked like he'd aged years in just days. Why did he come back? Dad shouldn't have brought mom back here.

"I'm sorry," he whispered to me as I knelt beside him. "Be strong, my little moon. The Goddess is with you."

Alpha Darius stepped forward, his presence commanded silence. His voice boomed out, cold and hard, cutting through the crowd like a lash.

"Evan Cross turned his back on this pack, abandoned his pack duties and shamed us before the royal family. His betrayal is inexcusable and for this he and his accomplices will die."

Darius's gaze swept over the gathered wolves, sharp and unrelenting. "As Alpha of the Silverfang Pack, I exercise my authority and sentence you all to death—by the bite of silver bullets."

Tears streamed down my face as I screamed, "No! Please!" But no one listened.

The enforcers raised their guns. One by one, they executed Malcolm's family, I watched them fall like candies. Then my mother. Her lifeless body crumpled to the ground, and I felt my soul shatter. The Alpha saved my father for last, making him watch the carnage.

When they reached me, Darius sneered. "You'll live, Natalie. A walking reminder of your father's failure."

"No!" Father begged. "Please, don't punish her for my mistakes!"

Alpha Darius ignored him and pulled the trigger himself. Silencing him with a silver bullet. His body collapsed beside me, and I knelt in the blood-soaked dirt, surrounded by death and despair, as the Alpha's cruel smirk burned into my memory.

My life was over.