The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter Chapter 10: A Debt Too Heavy

Natalie~

The hum of the engine filled the car as we drove through the quiet city streets. My fingers clenched the edges of the seat as unease twisted in my stomach. Jake, sensing my tension, whimpered softly in my lap. The silence between Zane and felt terrifing.

I cleared my throat, my voice trembling as I asked again, "Where are we going?"

Zane didn't answer yet again. His focus remained on the road, his expression unreadable.

"Sir," I said more firmly this ti, my fear giving my words an edge. "Where are you taking ?"

He sighed, the sound carrying a note of exhaustion. "Calm down, Natalie. I'm taking you to a hotel for the night."

My breath hitched at the word hotel, and my grip on Jake tightened. A million thoughts raced through my mind, each one darker than the last.

Sensing my discomfort, Zane glanced at briefly before turning his eyes back to the road. "Don't get any weird ideas. We'll be staying in different rooms."

I blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. Jake gave a soft bark as if to echo my unease.

"I'm not taking you back to that shelter," Zane continued. "It's not a place for a young girl to sleep, especially at this hour."

"I'm fine at the shelter," I said quietly, though my voice wavered. "You've already done enough for . I don't want to owe you more than I already do."

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "I'm not doing this to put you in debt, Natalie. The shelter isn't safe. It's already past 1 a.m., and I'm not dropping you off there tonight. You can sleep at the hotel. If you still want to go back in the morning, fine. But for now, just trust ."

Trust. That word burned in my chest. People who offered help always wanted sothing in return. I'd learned that the hard way. Yet Zane didn't sound like he was trying to manipulate . His tone was matter-of-fact, as if this was just... logic to him. Still, I couldn't shake my wariness.

Before I could respond, the car slowed and turned into a grand circular driveway, stopping in front of a building so massive it made my breath catch. The hotel lood before us, its polished glass doors reflecting the golden light spilling out from inside. This wasn't just a hotel. It was a place for people who lived in a world I couldn't even imagine.

"You've got to be kidding ," I whispered.

Zane parked the car and stepped out, nodding for to follow. I hesitated, clutching Jake to my chest as I scanned the area. The pristine surroundings made feel like an intruder. I lingered by the car, my gaze darting nervously around, half expecting soone to jump out and tell I didn't belong here.

"Relax," Zane said, waving for to co.

Reluctantly, I stepped out, Jake held securely in my arms. I stayed close to the car, my feet barely moving as I tried to process the opulence surrounding .

Inside, the hotel was even more overwhelming. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm light over marble floors, and the air slled faintly of roses and wealth. As we walked toward the reception desk, I noticed how every staff mber greeted Zane with deference, their tones filled with respect.

But when their eyes landed on , their expressions shifted. The disdain was clear, as if I were trash that had sohow wandered in off the street. My cheeks burned, but I kept my head high, focusing on Jake.

"Excuse ," one of the staff mbers said, stepping in front of . "You can't enter here, especially not with a dog."

Before I could respond, Zane's voice rang out. "She's with . Let them through."

The staff mber's attitude changed imdiately, stepping aside with a forced smile. I swallowed hard and followed Zane, feeling every judgntal gaze on my back.

Zane booked two rooms as promised, and we made our way to the elevators. When we reached my room, he glanced at Jake. "I can take him to my room if you'd like. He might be more comfortable there."

Jake buried his face into my chest, refusing to budge. I shook my head. "He's fine with ."

Zane smiled faintly, his first real smile since I'd t him. I realized then that he only ever seed to soften when Jake was involved. He reached out, scratching behind Jake's ears and patting his head.

"Good night, boy. Good night, Natalie," he said before heading to his room.

I stepped inside and froze. The room was beautiful, with a massive bed adorned in pristine white sheets, a plush armchair, and soft lighting that made everything feel like a dream. I didn't belong here. Every item in the room scread expensive, untouchable.

I set Jake down and backed into a corner, my knees drawing up to my chest. Jake tilted his head, watching .

"This place... it's too much," I whispered to him. "I'm scared to touch anything."

He whimpered, and I gave him a small smile. "It's silly, I know. But once, back in my pack, I broke a vase in the Alpha's house. I didn't an to—it just slipped. They whipped for it. Ten strokes." My voice broke, and I brushed my fingers over my arm, where the scars had long since faded. "I can't afford to ss up again."

Jake crawled into my lap as if he understood my words, pressing his small body against mine. His warmth grounded , and I hugged him tightly. "I'm okay now," I whispered. "I promise. But I'm not touching anything here."

My stomach growled loudly, breaking the mont. I hadn't eaten since the food Mr. Martin had given was stolen by those holess people. Jake looked up at , his eyes filled with concern.

Before I could dwell on it, the doorbell rang. I scrambled to my feet, my heart racing as I approached the door.

"It's ," Zane's voice called from the other side.

I opened the door to find Zane standing beside a hotel staff mber who rolled a food tray into the room.

"You should eat," Zane said simply. "I could hear your stomach growling in the car."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, but I managed a quiet, "Thank you."

Zane nodded and left without another word. I sat on the floor with Jake, sharing the al with him. It was more food than I'd seen in weeks, and the warmth of it filled the hollow ache in my chest.

When we finished, I made a makeshift bed on the floor for Jake and . The bed in the corner of the room remained untouched, too perfect for soone like .

The next morning, Zane drove us back to the hospital. As soon as we arrived, the doctor hurried toward us, his expression grim.

"Mr. Anders, there's more wrong with Garrick than just pneumonia," he said. "We've tried everything, but his condition isn't improving."

His words made my stomach sink to the ground. I stumbled back, tears streaming down my face. "Please," I begged. "Try harder. Do sothing!"

Zane placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, his calmness unnerving. "Can he be moved to another facility?" he asked the doctor.

The doctor hesitated before nodding. "Yes, that would be the best option at this point."

Zane didn't waste a second. "Prepare him for transfer," he ordered before pulling out his phone.

Everything around blurred as he made a call. "I need a helicopter. As soon as possible."

I sank onto the bench, my mind spinning. Garrick's life depended on this, but the cost... I couldn't even fathom it. Zane's generosity terrified . My debt to Zane had just tripled, and I had no way to repay him.

Nothing in life cos free, I reminded myself bitterly. Not even kindness.

How in the world was I going to repay.

My goddess, I was finished.