The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter Chapter 333: A Wonderful Day

Sebastian~

Three days had crawled by since Zane and Natalie turned the kingdom’s hall of justice into sothing straight out of a dark legend—a stage for vengeance, a theater of reckoning. I hadn’t been there to watch it unfold. Cassandra and I had kept to our estate in Vereth, far from the storm. But distance didn’t matter. Zane’s late-night mindlink call carried the fire straight to .

His voice—usually calm, asured, untouchable—broke in places I wasn’t used to hearing. Rage clashed with relief as he painted the scene for : Darius cast out in disgrace, Nathan dragged down from his pedestal, celestial chains biting into his traitorous skin and a shock collar around his neck. Also, Nora and Charlie getting the pariah marks. Justice, carved in lightning.

"It’s done, Seb," he said, and I could feel the relief and also hear the sadness in his voice even through the link. The weight of kingship, of carrying an entire world on your shoulders. "The monsters are caged."

I laughed it off, threw back so sarcastic quip—because that’s what I do. But when the call ended, I sat there with this knot in my chest, tight and old. The sa fears that had haunted for centuries. Fear of betrayal. Fear of losing the few people I actually trusted in this endless life.

Zane wasn’t just a king to . He was my best friend. My partner in every sche and empire we’d built. The reckless kid who once dragged out of the sun when my coven left to burn for daring to speak truth against their cruelty. I swore back then I’d repay him, even if it took lifetis. That vow led into searching for the celestial princess with him—Natalie, as fate would have it.

And now here we are. The world feels different, like soone shifted its axis. We’re not just survivors anymore—we’re happy n. And I’ll be damned if I let anything tear that happiness away.

The very next afternoon after that mind-link call, a knock ca on my door; sudden, heavy, echoing through the corridors of my estate like a pulse I hadn’t been expecting. Cassandra who was draped across the chaise in our sun-proofed library, tilted her head toward with that arched-brow look that could make beg on my knees.

"Expecting company, love? Or is this another one of your mysterious blood shipnts from that questionable supplier you swear isn’t a smuggler?"

I smirked, tugging at the cuff of my shirt. Impeccably dressed, as always—because even in my own ho, appearances mattered. "If it’s vampires, I’ll serve the sarcasm. If it’s wolves, you handle the snarling."

She rolled her eyes, but the flicker of wolf-fire in her gaze couldn’t hide the pale tint to her skin that I’ve been noticing lately. She’d been brushing it off for weeks, but the sight still made my dead heart twist in ways I hated admitting.

When I finally pulled open the grand oak doors, light spilled in—warm, blinding, celestial. Zane and Natalie stood there, not walking up like ordinary visitors, but appearing, shimring into being. Natalie’s teleportation, of course.

Zane carried himself the sa way he always did—tall, brooding, hair perfectly in place, those storm-clear eyes that could unnerve gods. But today, sothing softer threaded through his gaze, the kind of look reserved for blood and bond—for family.

Natalie stood at his side, radiant. Not the timid, fractured girl I rembered from five years ago. No, she had burned through her shadows and erged fierce, outspoken, and utterly alive.

"Sebastian! Cassandra!" Natalie exclaid, pulling into a hug that I returned with mock reluctance. "We teleported in—hope we didn’t interrupt any vampire brooding sessions."

Zane chuckled, clapping on the shoulder. "Missed you, brother. Ca to see if you were still alive."

Warmth hit —real, inconvenient warmth. Emotions, damn it.

"Zane, you royal pain," I muttered, keeping my emotions in check before stepping aside. "We just spoke yesterday. You’re a king now, and still clingy as ever. Get in here before the neighbors start whispering we’re hosting a supernatural summit."

They both laughed.

Cassandra rose with her usual grace, but I caught the way her hand lingered on the chaise just a heartbeat too long. My stomach tightened. She was slipping, and she thought I hadn’t noticed.

"Zane, Natalie," she said warmly, masking the strain with elegance. "What do we owe this honor? Not that I mind—Sebastian’s been prowling around like a caged panther ever since you told him about the trial. Kept going on about wishing he’d been there."

I shot her a glare, but she wasn’t wrong.

We led them into the atrium, sunlight pouring across marble and glass. Ironic, maybe, for a vampire’s estate—but Fox had been generous enough to gift with an enchantnt that shields from the sun itself, anywhere, anyti. With that kind of protection, I’d earned the right to bask in a little luxury. I’m unstoppable now.

Zane’s gaze t mine, and for a second the fierce, possessive fire he always reserved for Natalie softened into sothing else. Brotherly concern. A king, but still my best friend.

"Well, speaking of trials," he said, voice steady but carrying that edge of finality, "we ca in person because there’s another one. Tomorrow, we end Kalmia. No spectacle, no crowds. Just us. My father, Jacob, Fox, Bubble, Tiger, Eagle..." His eyes narrowed slightly. "And you two. If you’ll stand with us."

Kalmia. The na alone sent a chill through my veins, stirring fears I’d long suppressed. That demon had tornted Cassandra, using her as a pawn in a hunt for rare vampire blood—my blood! Cassandra had been ruthless under her, a vampire hunter backed by her hellish power, feared by all. The scars of Kalmia ran deep. Very deep.

I swallowed, my voice steady but laced with emotion. "End her? As in, execute her or lock her away for good? Hell yes, I need to see that with my own eyes. That bitch nearly cost everything—Cass, you, my sanity."

Cassandra nodded, her voice firm but with a tremor I caught. "I’m in. I need closure. Kalmia’s Chapter ends tomorrow—for real this ti."

Natalie squeezed her hand. "It’s going to be intense, but we’ve got this. Jacob’s ancient magic, my celestial powers... she’ll be gone forever."

Zane grinned, that rare, charismatic flash. "Perfect. Now, since we’re here, how about we celebrate preemptively? Dinner? I hear Sebastian’s a whiz in the kitchen now. I’ll have to see it with my own eyes before I risk a bite—my kingdom still need alive."

I laughed, the sound genuine despite the undercurrent of anxiety. "Oh, get ready to eat those words buddy. For Cass, I’d cook the stars. Co on, Natalie—you’re helping. Zane, you and Cass can... I don’t know, plot world domination or sothing boring."

We drifted into the kitchen—granite counters gleaming under warm lights, the air alive with the scent of herbs Cassandra and I had coaxed from our garden. Natalie and I fell into an easy rhythm. She sliced vegetables with the precision of a goddess, her fiery energy crackling in every movent.

"So, Sebastian," she teased, eyes glinting as her knife flashed, "how do you manage running that empire with Zane without sinking your fangs into the board? Don’t tell there aren’t a few... tasty humans in the mix tempting you."

I leaned over the simring risotto—blood-free, for the wolves—pushing stray strands of hair from my eyes with a smirk. "Simple. I dazzle them with this handso face and razor-sharp sarcasm. That way, when soone does go missing, nobody suspects the charming Sebastian. Zane does the growling; I do the smiling. Balance."

I shot her a look. "Speaking of—rember that ti you teleported straight into our board eting looking for Zane? The panic on those investors’ faces was pure art."

Natalie laughed so hard she nearly dropped her knife, then flicked a carrot slice at . "Please. I rescued Zane from a rger that was killing him. You’re just jealous I can beam my man out of corporate hell whenever I want. Oh—and by the way—" she smirked, leaning in conspiratorially, "Jasmine says you’re basically a walking punchline."

"Oh, please. Your wolf’s feisty, but I’m the original sarcasm king. Pass the garlic—wait, no, skip that. Vampire myth, but still stings the ego."

From the adjoining lounge, Zane’s voice carried over the clink of chess pieces. "Checkmate in three, Cass. Your move."

Cassandra’s laugh was light, but I caught the slight wince as she leaned forward. "You’re ruthless, Zane. Reminds of old hunts. But tell —how’s kingship? Natalie keeping you possessive and on your toes?"

Zane’s tone ward, that hidden kindness shining. "It’s... everything. She’s my world. And Alex adores her like a mom. But enough—your turn. How’s life post-Kalmia drama?"

"Free. Finally. Sebastian’s stubbornness paid off."

Natalie and I exchanged glances, rolling our eyes dramatically. "Boring!" I called out. "Chess? Really? We’re over here creating culinary magic, and you’re playing board gas like old fogies."

Natalie chid in, "Yeah, Zane! Co help, or I’ll teleport you into the oven."

He laughed—a deep, rare sound. "Miss that much love? Fine, but only if Sebastian promises not to poison it."

The banter flowed like wine, sweet and intoxicating. We plated the al—risotto with grilled vegetables, rare steaks for the wolves—and gathered around the mahogany table. Laughter echoed as we ate (well, they did; I sipped a discreet blood-infused wine). "This is divine," Natalie moaned. "Sebastian, you’re wasted as a CEO. Open a restaurant."

"Only if you handle the teleporting deliveries," I quipped. "Cass, love, try the steak—dium rare, just how you like."

She smiled, but her fork trembled slightly. "It’s perfect, Seb." I noticed her pallor again, a knot of fear tightening in my chest. She was powerful, my mate, but vulnerability scared more than any sun.

"You okay?" I murmured, hand on hers under the table.

She squeezed back. "Nothing. Just... anticipation for tomorrow."

We shifted to gas after—charades, where Natalie’s dramatic werewolf howls had us in stitches. "Guess! I’m a feisty alpha rejecting a mate!" she mid, and Zane guessed instantly, pulling her into a possessive kiss that made Cassandra and groan theatrically.

"Sweet, but get a room," Cassandra teased.

Zane smirked. "Jealous?"

Hours slipped by in a blur of laughter, the kind that nded old wounds. But duty called; Zane glanced at his watch. "Palace awaits. Trials, councils... you know."

Natalie nodded, standing. "We’ll see you tomorrow. Be ready—it’s going to be emotional."

Hugs exchanged, promises made. "Don’t be late, Seb," Zane said, clapping my back. "We end this together."

"Wouldn’t miss it, brother."

With a flash, Natalie teleported them away, leaving the estate quiet. Cassandra and I retreated to our bedroom, the four-poster bed draped in silk. We slipped under the covers, her head on my chest, my arms around her—our ritual, a shield against the world’s cruelties.

"You’re sure you’re alright?" I whispered, fears bubbling up despite my power. "You’ve seed off all day. If it’s Kalmia stirring old demons..."

She lifted her head, eyes eting mine with that ruthless spark I’d fallen for. "I’m fine, Seb. Promise. Just need rest. Tomorrow, it’s over."

I kissed her forehead, emotions swirling—love, protectiveness, a hint of dread. "Alright. Sleep, love. I’ve got you."

We drifted off entwined, the night wrapping us in fragile peace.