The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter-Chapter 177: Whispers Before the Crown

Zane~

After dinner, the hum of laughter and the clink of dishes still echoed in my ears as Natalie and I made our way to her room. The air between us was warm and charged, the kind of heat that simmered in glances and lingered in every touch. Alex had already gone to bed—thank the Moon Goddess—and the house had quieted, leaving just us. Just her and me.

The moment the door shut behind us, she turned, her eyes glinting with mischief, her lips already curled in a soft smirk.

"Fox is going to pay for that dinner comment," she muttered, tugging me closer by the drawstrings of my hoodie.

I chuckled lowly, wrapping my arms around her waist. "I don’t know... I kind of liked it. Especially the part where you turned the same color as a tomato."

She rolled her eyes. "You’re not funny."

I leaned down, brushing my lips against hers. "You’re blushing again."

"Zane—"

I didn’t let her finish. I kissed her. Deeply. My fingers tangled in her hair as her arms slid up around my neck. She sighed into me, pressing her body closer, and everything else vanished. Her scent. Her warmth. Her fire.

And then—of course—the moment shattered.

"Zane. To my chambers. Now."

My father’s voice broke through the mind link like a bulldozer—urgent, commanding.

I froze mid-kiss. Natalie leaned back, concern flashing in her eyes.

"Dad, what’s wrong?"

"Something serious. I can’t explain over the link. Just move. Now."

My chest tightened as a wave of unease crept in. "Are you okay?" I asked quickly.

"I’m fine. Just get here."

Then—silence. The link snapped shut.

Natalie’s voice broke the tension. "What just happened?"

I blinked, still holding her. "It’s my father. He just mind-linked me. Said I need to come to his room right now. Something serious happened."

She placed her hand gently on my chest. "Is he okay?"

"I asked. He said he’s fine, but he didn’t sound fine." I tightened my hold on her. "He ended the link before I could ask anything else."

Natalie’s expression softened, and she took my hand in hers. "Hey. Breathe." Her thumb brushed across my knuckles. "He’s okay. You said he was. And whatever it is, you’re going to handle it, just like you always do."

I looked at her, really looked at her. How did she manage to be fierce and gentle at the same time?

"Are you ready?" she asked softly.

I nodded once. "Yeah."

She didn’t hesitate. A swirl of wind and golden light enveloped us, and in a blink, the cozy walls of her room vanished.

We landed in the familiar quiet of my palace suite, the air cooler, heavier with royal stillness.

I turned to her, brushing her hair back with a grin. "You know, having a goddess as a mate has some serious perks."

She arched a brow, teasing. "You think teleportation is all I’m good for?"

"No," I murmured, kissing her forehead. "But it’s definitely a bonus."

She smiled, but then her face turned serious again. "Let me know what happens, okay? Keep me posted."

"I will," I promised.

And just like that, she vanished, leaving a faint trail of light behind. I stood there for a second, staring at the space she’d just occupied, heart thudding.

8:30 p.m. The palace was unusually quiet for this time of evening especially with the ball coming up tomorrow. No clinking glasses or murmurs of nobles in the hallway. Just the occasional shuffle of guards posted along the long corridors.

I moved quickly, passing the two elite guards at the entrance to my father’s chambers without a word. As usual, no one stopped me.

I pushed the grand double doors open and stepped inside.

The room smelled faintly of old books, leather, and sandalwood. My father sat on a couch near the window, the firelight drew weirdly shaped shadows over his face. He looked... older. Not physically, but in presence. His shoulders were hunched slightly. His gaze distant.

"Dad?" I said carefully. "What happened?"

He looked up slowly. "Zane." He rubbed a hand over his face, a rare display of unease. "Come. Sit."

I obeyed, dropping into the armchair across from him. "You said something serious happened."

He nodded, staring into the fire like it held all the answers. "Owen came to see me tonight."

I frowned. "You mean Owen Blackthorn? The one who showed up with his son the other day?"

"The very same." My father leaned back, exhaling deeply. "I’m sure you’re well aware that he’s the kingdom’s seer." I nodded and he went on.

"He had a vision. A powerful one."

I stilled. "What did he see?"

"He told me," my father began, voice low, "that I must not make any important announcements tomorrow. That I must not name my heir."

My brows drew together. "What? Why? How did he even know what you were planning on doing tomorrow?"

"Because he saw..." My father hesitated, then stood and walked slowly toward the fireplace. "He saw the moment I announced the heir—his words, not mine. He said a group appeared out of nowhere. Masked. Deadly. They attacked. Killed my heir. Killed me."

The words landed like boulders in my chest.

I stood slowly. "You don’t believe that, do you?"

My father turned to me, and to my surprise, he looked genuinely shaken. "Zane, Owen’s visions have never been wrong. Not once."

I paced, running a hand through my hair. "Or he’s manipulating you. Did that cross your mind?"

"Zane—"

"No!" I snapped, then caught myself, softening my tone.

"Dad, come on. You’ve been planning this ball for months. Every noble house in the kingdom has their invitation. And just yesterday, you opened the invitation to the entire realm—and beyond."

I took a breath, steadying the frustration rising in my chest.

"Even when I told you I wasn’t ready, you told me to suck it up. So I did. You’re supposed to name me heir tomorrow. You said it was time."

"I know what I said," he replied, rubbing his temples. "But this vision..."

I exhaled slowly, trying to collect my thoughts. "So what? Are you going to cancel the entire ball?"

"No," he said. "The ball will go on. I can’t undo everything. But I won’t make the announcement tomorrow."

I stared at him, stunned. "You’re letting a vision—one vision—derail everything?"

"It’s not just a vision. It’s Owen’s vision."

I sat back down, this time harder than before, the leather creaking beneath me. "This doesn’t feel right. You made it clear to everyone that you had something very important to announce. We both know that the moment you delay the announcement, rumors will start. Weakness. Doubt. People will question your decisions."

He nodded slowly. "Perhaps. But I’d rather be questioned than dead."

I studied his face. "So what now? You wait a few weeks? Months? What will you tell the council was the essence of the ball?"

"I’ll handle them."

My jaw tightened. "You were ready. I was ready. You told me this morning that everything was set."

"I was." His voice dropped. "But I can’t risk your life."

My throat constricted. Despite everything—the secrets, the power, the throne—he was still just a father. And I was still his son.

I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. "Let me protect you, then. Let me take that role tomorrow. I’m not afraid."

He looked at me, something unreadable in his gaze.

I opened my mouth to argue again, but then his expression shifted.

"Zane," he said slowly, "do you think you could invite Mist?"

I blinked. "Jacob?"

He nodded. "Yes. If this is truly a threat against our bloodline... I want him here. I want the Wolf Spirit watching over us tomorrow. It could tip the scales in our favor."

I sat in stunned silence. There was something about the request—it wrapped around me like a fog-laced cloak, heavy and unsettling.