The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter-Chapter 199: Loving Brothers

Natalie~

The door clicked shut behind Zane, and for a long moment, I just stood there. His words still lingered in the air, warm and soft as the scent of his cologne that clung to my skin. My fingers trembled as they clutched the midnight-blue gown, the fabric catching the low light and glittering like the night sky.

"Zane..." I whispered to the empty room, my chest swelling with emotions I couldn’t begin to name. Love, awe, fear, gratitude.

And then...

A sudden gust of wind rustled through the curtains, though the windows were shut. The temperature shifted—warmer, cooler, then warmer again—and the lights dimmed subtly like the room was breathing.

Before I could blink, they were there.

Jacob appeared first, materializing like smoke and starlight near the foot of the bed. Then came Fox, stretching lazily in a flicker of flame near the fireplace. Bubble shimmered into view by the window, followed by Eagle, who stepped out of what looked like a ripple in the very air. And last, Tiger... materializing like a tree growing from the earth itself, calm, grounded, silent.

"Guys," I whispered, a breathless smile tugging at my lips.

"Natalie," Jacob said, stepping toward me with concern written all over his face. "Are you alright? Is everything okay between you and the king?"

"Did the King dare breathe wrong around you?" Fox asked dramatically, tossing his flaming red hair back like a diva. "Because I have ten different ways to fry him—starting with his royal socks."

"No, no," I rushed to say, shaking my head as I hugged the gown tighter. "He didn’t hurt me. We talked—finally. Really talked. He apologized."

"He what?" Bubble blinked, tossing a dramatic hand over his heart. "The royal Iceberg melted?"

"I’m serious," I said, laughing despite myself. "He apologized. And I... I tried to believe him, although I gave him some conditions. Things are different now. We’re different."

"I’m sorry," I said suddenly, the words spilling from my lips in a rush. "I was angry. Furious, actually. And I fought all of you... I went mad. I said things I didn’t mean. I just... I didn’t know where to put all that pain. So I threw it at everyone around me."

There was a beat of silence, then Jacob reached for me, placing both hands on my shoulders.

"You don’t owe us an explanation, Nat," he said softly. "You only did what any mother would do when you thought someone hurt your child."

My eyes burned instantly.

"But I shouldn’t have fought you all like that," I said. My voice cracked. "I was just... I was angry. And scared. And I—I lost it. I was crazy."

"You weren’t crazy," Eagle murmured, arms folded as he leaned against the wall. "You were you. Feisty, fiery, chaotic, and celestial."

"You literally slapped Jacob and then tried to set Fox on fire even though he is literally the god of fire," Bubble added in a stage-whisper, grinning mischievously. "That was kind of amazing."

"Hey!" Fox cried, his red hair sparking with indignation. "She did set my apron on fire!"

"I did not mean to," I muttered, cheeks heating.

"Still looked cool though," Bubble said with a wink.

Tiger, as usual, said nothing—but his presence, calm and firm behind me, was comforting. I turned around and gave him a grateful look. He just nodded once, green eyes softening.

"I’m sorry," I whispered again, mostly to all of them at once.

"No apologies," Jacob said firmly. "You’re our sister. Our family. We’ve seen your fury, your grief, and your strength. That’s what makes you Natalie."

"And right now," Fox interrupted, sidling up beside me and peeking at the gown, "you’re Natalie-the-gorgeous-secondmoon-princess about to shut down this palace."

I laughed, finally feeling the heavy emotions start to lighten. "Speaking of which..."

I glanced down at the gown. Midnight skies and starlight. Twin moons in a wolf’s howl. My fingers ran over the gold threading. Zane’s gift. My heart squeezed again.

"I need to get ready."

The walk-in closet opened like a sacred space—dim, elegant, filled with Zane’s sharp suits and minimalist taste. And now... this.

I didn’t want magic. Not for this. This wasn’t a dress I wanted to just appear on me with a snap of my fingers.

This was a gift. And I wanted to honor it.

I undressed slowly, carefully, my fingers steady even though my heart thundered. Slipping the gown over my skin felt like draping myself in moonlight. The fabric clung and flowed, hugging curves and whispering across the floor with every movement. The sleeves floated like silk clouds. The crest on the bodice shimmered every time I breathed.

When I stepped out of the closet, their reactions were instant.

Jacob stood frozen, jaw slack.

"Wow," Eagle murmured.

Fox let out a low whistle. "If Zane doesn’t pass out when he sees you, he’s not a man—he’s a damn statue."

Bubble clutched his chest with exaggerated flair. "Someone call Paris. This is a runway emergency!"

I snorted, and then—

Tiger gasped.

Loudly.

Everyone turned.

And then... he vanished. Poof. Gone like a dream.

"What the...?" I blinked. "What just happened?"

Eagle didn’t even glance away from my gown. "He does that. Gets lost in his thoughts. Dramatic exits. He’ll be back."

"He gasped like I just committed a fashion crime," I said, slightly offended.

"Nah," Fox chuckled. "That gasp meant ’she’s stunning, I can’t compute.’ Tiger language. You just fried his nature-brain."

I giggled, covering my mouth.

The moment became warm again—sacred and safe. All of them stepped closer, adjusting the flow of the gown, smoothing fabric, fixing my hair, their hands so gentle.

"Your mate is going to lose every remaining brain cell," Bubble muttered under his breath.

"Shut up," I said, blushing.

Jacob stood back finally, his eyes proud, warm. "You look like a queen."

I swallowed. "Thank you."

He held out his arm. "Are you ready, Little Moon? To walk into that ballroom and finally reveal to the kingdom who you are?"

I looked at my reflection in the mirror once more. I didn’t see the broken girl from the shelter. I didn’t see the wolf-less reject who was marked and banished. I didn’t see the angry girl who lashed out at those she loved.

I saw me. Strong. Feisty. Celestial.

"I’m ready," I said firmly. "I’ll be there for Zane. And for the kingdom. Like I always have."

Jacob nodded, pride glinting in his eyes.

"I’ll escort you," he said. "We all will."

"Not all," Bubble said softly. "I’ll stay. Watch over Alex in case he wakes up."

I turned toward the bed where Alex was sleeping soundly, his tiny hand curled under his cheek.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Bubble winked. "Besides, I’d rather not be trampled by an entire ballroom of wolves going into a frenzy over how hot you look."

I rolled my eyes, laughing.

Jacob’s arm remained steady. I took it.

Fox gave a low bow, grinning wildly. Eagle fell into step silently, his wind always at my back. The room seemed to pulse with quiet anticipation as we approached the door.

The night awaited.

And with every step I took...

The world came closer to knowing who I truly was.