The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter-Chapter 130: The Perfect Vessel

Natalie~

Three days ago...

I stood there, frozen.

Griffin Blackthorn—my mate who once looked at me like I was broken glass he didn’t want to touch—was lying in a coffin of crystal light, suspended like he was caught between two breaths. Perfect. Untouched. Peaceful in a way that unsettled me.

And I hated how my heart reacted.

Fox’s words echoed in my ears like a spell I didn’t know how to break.

"This is why you’re here."

I felt Jasmine stir in my mind, restless and growling.

"I don’t like this. I don’t like this one bit." She said.

Neither did I. My legs were trembling. Not from fear exactly... but from everything.

My chest felt tight, my emotions all crashing over each other like waves during a storm. Jasmine was pacing wildly behind my eyes, her fur bristling.

But then, I looked at Jacob and I froze.

He wasn’t saying anything—but his eyes were locked on Griffin’s body, his jaw tense, his entire expression looked... disturbed. Not his usual smirking, sarcastic, funny self. No. This was different. This was serious Jacob. And that meant something was wrong.

"Jacob," I whispered, stepping closer to him. "What’s wrong? Why are you looking at him like that?"

I expected him to say something slick. Shrug it off. Maybe say ’He always did look better dead.’ But he didn’t even glance at me.

Instead, it was Fox who responded, his voice low and grim.

"This is why I asked Jacob to come with us."

Jacob finally spoke then, his voice unusually quiet. "I thought it was just a theory. A gut feeling. But now..." He gestured subtly to Griffin. "His body. The condition it’s in. It proves everything."

My stomach dropped. "What are you two talking about?" My voice cracked. "What does that mean?"

Jacob turned to me slowly, and there was no teasing in his eyes—only sharp, ancient understanding.

"Listen, Natalie," he said. "I don’t like the guy. At all. But we need Griffin alive. No matter what. We have to bring him back."

I blinked at him, trying to process his words. "Why? What aren’t you telling me?"

Fox walked forward; the firelight reflected off his skin, making him look golden. "There’s a mark," he said softly, "on Griffin’s heart."

That confused the shit out of me. "A what?"

Jacob motioned to me. "Look for yourself. Focus on his heart. Just... look, Nat."

I hesitated, unsure if I could do it. But I took a deep breath and stepped closer to the glass. I narrowed my eyes, channeling the celestial vision I realized I could tap into ever since Jasmine came to me.

At first, all I saw was stillness.

Then I saw it.

A dark cloud, swirling faintly over Griffin’s chest. It pulsed like it was alive—like it was watching.

I stumbled back with a gasp, hand over my mouth.

"Oh my goodness..."

Jacob nodded. "Yeah. That’s not just any mark. That’s his."

"Whose?" I whispered.

Fox looked at me, his gaze intense. "God of darkness, Shadow."

Him again?! Why was he all of a sudden everywhere?!

Jasmine snarled at the name, loud and clear in my mind. "That cowardly, manipulative bastard."

I swallowed hard. "But... why? Why Griffin? What does Shadow want with him?"

Jacob rubbed the back of his neck, looking frustrated. "Before Shadow disappeared into whatever hole he’s been hiding in, there were whispers—rumors—among the gods."

Fox jumped in. "Rumors that he took a mate."

I blinked. "Shadow took a mate? Like what I did with Frederick?"

"Yes." Jacob said then he continued, "A demon mate," he clarified, his voice dark. "Kalmia."

I felt my entire body go cold. "Kalmia? As in the crazy, bloodthirsty psycho after Sebastian’s—"

"Yes," Jacob said, cutting me off. "That one. The idea was dismissed at the time. Gods and demons don’t mix. It breaks the balance. But now?"

He gestured to Griffin again.

"Now I’m sure. Kalmia is Shadow’s mate. Kalmia killed Griffin for Shadow because..." His voice dropped lower, eyes glinting. "He wants Griffin’s body."

"No," I breathed.

Fox gave a single nod. "Yes. It fits, doesn’t it? I saw the mark on Griffin as soon as I found him. I knew I couldn’t let Kalmia or anyone from the underrealm get their hands on his body. If they had..."

"He’d become a vessel," Jacob finished. "Shadow could possess him. Shadow doesn’t just rise and pick a body at random. He waits—for the perfect match. A vessel that fits him in every possible way."

My mind reeled. "But why Griffin? What makes him the perfect fit?"

They didn’t answer right away. Fox finally said, "We don’t know everything yet. But there’s no time to figure it out."

I took a shaky step back, wrapping my arms around myself. I stared at Griffin’s peaceful face—how could he be a piece in all this?

"Okay..." I breathed. "Okay, but—how do I bring him back? What am I supposed to do?"

Jacob looked at me, his voice suddenly soft. "It’s simple. You just have to kiss him."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"On the forehead," he clarified, clearly enjoying my discomfort for a second before sobering again. "It doesn’t take a ritual or a spell. You’re the Celestial Princess, Natalie. Your kiss can wake him. You’re light. You’re fire. You’re balance. Shadow’s darkness can’t live where you breathe life."

I stared at them both like they’d lost their minds.

"Seriously?" I said, my voice a little high-pitched. "You want me to kiss the guy who rejected me, ruined my life, and stood there while I was shamed and banished?"

"Yup," Jacob said without a hint of sympathy.

"Awesome. Cool. Totally normal Wednesday."

Fox gave me a small, encouraging smile. "You don’t have to forgive him. But the world needs him alive. And whether you want to admit it or not..." He paused. "Part of you does too."

I looked at Griffin again, feeling my heart twist.

I hated him.

And maybe—just maybe—I felt... compassion.

"Fine," I muttered.

I stepped forward, placing my hands on the warm glass. My breath fogged up the surface for a moment as I leaned over. Griffin looked peaceful. And beautiful. And infuriating.

"I swear," I whispered, "if you wake up and say something stupid, I’m going to drop-kick you back into this box."

Jasmine cackled inside my head.

Just as I sighed and leaned in, about to reach out and open the casket, Fox’s voice instantly cut off my concentration.

"Natalie—wait."