The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter

Natalie~

"Mother?" I whispered into the silence, my voice trembling like a string pulled too tight.

For a breath, nothing answered. Just the heavy hush of the room, Zane’s ragged breathing, and the faint flicker of candlelight dancing along the carved stone walls.

Then came the sound.

A soft, lilting laugh—like silver bells tinkling through mist. It was familiar, somehow—comforting and strange all at once.

"Oh, my child," the voice said with amused affection. "How could you so easily forget your mother’s voice? I’m wounded."

I blinked, heart lurching against my ribs. "Wait... wait—what?"

A playful sigh echoed around the room. "Truly, I should be offended. My daughter doesn’t recognize her own mother."

Jasmine stirred in my mind, alert and amused. "Oh, she’s dramatic. That’s one of the many reasons I love her so much."

My knees nearly buckled. "I—no, I didn’t mean to, mother—I just—" I stumbled over my words. "I’ve got a lot going on, okay?! Zane’s dying, Griffin’s withering away like a dried-up leaf, Mist isn’t answering my calls, and there’s this creepy soul-sucking demon slinking around us like it owns our damn live!—sorry, language—and you know my stress threshold is dangerously thin!"

Silence filled the room.