The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter-Chapter 113: Silverfang’s Gate

Natalie~

I sat on the plush couch in Zane’s house at Vereth, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of the mug in my hands. Across from me, Easter was curled up in an armchair, her hands clasped around her coffee mug as she stared into the distance, lost in thought. The only real movement in the room came from Tiger, who sat on the floor, utterly unbothered as Rose climbed all over him like a jungle gym.

My massive brother didn’t seem to mind in the slightest. Every so often, he would grunt in amusement as Rose tugged at his thick golden-brown hair, her tiny hands clutching his ears like reins.

It was almost peaceful.

Then, the air shifted. A sudden gust of energy swept through the room, curling around my skin like a whisper of power. I tensed, my eyes snapping toward the doorway just as a shimmer of gold and black materialized before us.

Jacob.

He emerged from nothing, his tall frame settling into place as if he had always been there. In his right hand, he held the royal scepter—an artifact of gold and obsidian, glowing faintly with ancient power.

A slow grin spread across my face. "You got it."

Jacob, ever the picture of nonchalant confidence, twirled the scepter between his fingers before tossing it once in the air and catching it smoothly. "Of course, I did."

Easter sat up straighter, her green eyes widening in relief. "You’re back," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth she probably didn’t even realize.

Jacob turned his gaze to her, his usual cocky smirk softening just slightly. "Did you miss me?"

Easter blinked, then looked away, flustered.

I smirked, watching the exchange with great amusement. Oh, she had it bad for him. And Jacob, as usual, was either oblivious or playing dumb. Probably the latter.

But I had more important things to focus on. I crossed my arms. "Where’s Zane?"

Jacob finally turned back to me, his expression turning serious. "He stayed behind, just like we planned. He’s making sure his father is safe."

I nodded, exhaling. Zane was strong—probably the strongest man I knew—but the thought of him staying behind in the middle of this mess didn’t sit well with me. I knew I had agreed to the plan, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. Jasmine stirred in the back of my mind, her usual sass momentarily subdued. "If he doesn’t come back in one piece, I’m taking over your body and dragging us back there to get him."

"Noted," I replied dryly.

Jacob rolled his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of responsibility. "Alright, time to move. We need to head to Silverfang Pack."

I raised a brow. "And what about Easter?"

Jacob glanced at her before turning to Tiger. "Think you can keep an eye on them for me?"

Tiger, still seated on the floor, looked up from his spot where Rose had fallen asleep on his arm. He nodded once. "Sure. No problem."

Easter, however, wasn’t as composed. I could see the hesitation in her eyes, the longing—the silent war between wanting to be with Jacob and not wanting to seem like a burden.

But she didn’t say it.

And I didn’t interfere.

I simply leaned back and observed, my smirk widening slightly when Easter fidgeted with the hem of her dress. "This place is safe," Jacob assured her. "Tiger will take care of you and Rose."

Easter forced a smile. "Okay."

Liar.

She wasn’t okay. Not even close.

But Jacob, either blind to her feelings or choosing to ignore them, just smiled. "Good." Then, he turned back to me. "Now that that’s settled—" he twirled the scepter one last time before waving his hand. In an instant, the artifact vanished into thin air.

I narrowed my eyes. "Where did you put it?"

Jacob tapped his temple. "Safe place."

I rolled my eyes. "You’re impossible."

He smirked, then extended his hand toward me. "Ready?"

I looked at his outstretched fingers. Looked at his face.

Then, I smiled.

"Always."

After a brief goodbye to Easter and Tiger, and with Jacob promising not to stay away for too long, he tightened his grip on my hand.

And just like that, we vanished.

*********

The moment Jacob and I materialized behind a familiar towering oak tree, just a few meters from Silverfang’s main gate, the stench of the pack assaulted my senses. It was as putrid as ever—a sickening cocktail of blood, arrogance, and the desperation of a pack clinging to its former glory. My hands curled into fists at my sides as memories clawed their way up my throat, threatening to choke me..

But I was no longer the broken, wolfless girl they had cast out. I was stronger now. And this time, I wasn’t here to beg for mercy. I was here to remind them exactly who they had underestimated.

Jacob, standing beside me, rolled his shoulders and then glanced at me. "You good?"

I forced myself to exhale, shaking off the ghostly fingers of my past. "Yeah," I muttered, then turned to him with a smirk. "But are you good with leaving Easter alone with Tiger?"

Jacob arched a brow, clearly unimpressed by the question. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

I gave him a knowing look. "Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because Tiger has the uncanny ability to make anyone fall for him without even trying?"

Jacob snorted. "Tiger’s the most responsible out of all of us."

"Oh, I know that." I grinned. "But let’s not pretend that he isn’t also ridiculously charming, even when he’s dead silent. Are you sure you’re not worried about Easter swooning before we get back?"

Jacob gave me a flat look. "Why exactly would I be worried?"

I just smiled and shrugged. "No reason."

Jacob exhaled sharply, shaking his head as he muttered, "You’re impossible." Then, more seriously, he added, "Focus, Natalie. We have bigger things to deal with."

I nodded, rolling my shoulders as if shaking off the weight of old memories. "Right."

With that, we stepped out from behind the tree, walking straight toward the iron gates that loomed ahead.

Every step felt heavier than the last, my heart thudding in my chest as the past pressed in on me. This was where I had been cast out. This was where my parents had been murdered. Where my dignity had been stripped from me.

But they had taken everything from a girl who no longer existed. I wasn’t here to mourn.

I was here to show them the storm they had created.

The guards stationed at the gate straightened as we approached, their sharp eyes assessing us with suspicion. Their expressions twisted into scowls as they recognized me.

"Well, well," one of them sneered. "Look who decided to crawl back."

I tilted my head, smiling sweetly. "Oh, did you miss me? How touching."

His lips curled into a snarl. "State your business."

Jacob took a lazy step forward, standing tall. "We’re here to see the Alpha."

The guards exchanged glances before scoffing. "And why the hell would we let you see him?"

The second guard’s eyes flicked back to me. "And you—your banishment still stands. Turn around and get lost before we make you."

I smiled wider, but there was nothing warm about it. "Oh? You make me? I’d love to see you try."

The first guard gripped his gun tighter. "We’re not playing games, girl. You step one foot past these gates, and you’re dead."

Jacob exhaled slowly, like a man whose patience had just about run dry. "You don’t seem to understand," he said, tilting his head slightly. "We will see the Alpha."

The guards burst into laughter—deep, mocking laughter that made my fingers itch to punch something.

"You two?" one of them scoffed. "You should’ve stayed gone. Turn around before we decide to end you right here."

Jacob smirked, shaking his head in amusement. "Alright. I tried being nice."

He took a slow, deliberate step forward, lifted his hand—

And waved it.

The laughter died in an instant, as if someone had pressed mute. The guards’ bodies locked up, their muscles going rigid, their eyes stretching wide with sheer terror.

I crossed my arms, cocking my head as I examined them. "You really should’ve listened."

One of the guards, his voice shaky and panicked, managed to stammer out, "W-what did you do to us?"

Jacob let out a low chuckle. "Oh, nothing much. Just took away your wolves." He shrugged, as if it was no big deal. "So, congratulations—you’re basically human now."

A strangled gasp escaped one of them. Then, one by one, they collapsed to their knees.

"Please—please, no!" one of them begged, his voice cracking.

Another gritted his teeth, panic shining in his eyes. "I-I can’t feel him. My wolf—he’s gone."

Jacob simply stared at them, unmoved. "Your wolves will return when I see real repentance."

Chaos erupted.

They groveled, their previous arrogance shattering as they begged for mercy. Pleading eyes turned to me, desperate and unashamed.

"Please," one of them whimpered. "Talk to him. Make him stop."

I raised a brow, pretending to consider their words. Then, with a smirk, I leaned down slightly and asked, "So... how does it feel? Being wolfless? Weak? Powerless?"

Their faces twisted in humiliation, but they kept begging.

Satisfied, I straightened and gave them a casual shrug. "Fine. Open the gates. Announce our arrival to Darius. Maybe then my friend here—" I jerked my chin toward Jacob, "—will consider giving your wolves back."

They didn’t hesitate.

The gates swung open immediately.