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

Chapter 437: Taken

That morning, the girls proposed a split. Katrina, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement, cornered me in our chambers as sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows, painting her reddish-blonde hair in ethereal hues. "Vincent, Winter and I want a girls' day. Spa, shopping in the market, gossiping about you boys. You and Nick should do the same—bond over something manly."

I raised an eyebrow, my charming smile curving dangerously. "Manly? Like what—wrestling dragons?"

She laughed, that fiercely independent spirit shining. "Close. Hunting, maybe? You've been getting along so well. It'll be fun."

Winter, lounging against the doorframe with her arms crossed, nodded. "Yeah, brother. Give us space. Nicholas is already pumped—says he'll out-hunt you."

Nicholas sauntered in, dark eyes gleaming, black hair messy from whatever mischief he'd been up to. "Damn right. Bears, Vince. Big, grizzly ones in the northern woods. Winner gets bragging rights for a week."

I smirked, ambition flaring. "You're on, hybrid. My shadows will snag more prey than your fangs ever could."

Katrina rolled her eyes, pulling Winter out. "Boys. Be safe. Love you, Vincent."

"Love you more," I called, watching her go, heart swelling with emotion that bordered on thrilling vulnerability.

Nicholas and I geared up in the palace stables, where the scent of hay and leather clung to the air. The stablehands brought out two sleek black stallions, muscles rippling beneath glossy coats, hooves stamping like they were personally offended by the delay. We mounted up beneath a crisp autumn sky, the kind that felt sharpened by the cold. Leaves crunched underhoof as we rode out, the air rich with pine, damp earth, and something wild beneath it all.

Running would've been faster—but riding had presence. Class. Also, dignity. No need to arrive looking like feral idiots.

The northern woods rose ahead of us, ancient and watchful. The trees twisted skyward like old guardians locked in eternal debate, their branches whispering secrets meant only for those foolish enough to listen.

We dismounted at the forest's edge and tied the horses. Nicholas stretched like he owned the place.

"So, Vince," he said casually, adjusting his gloves, "admit it—you're glad Rayma fixed this whole mess. No more feeling like an outcast around Kat's family." He smirked. "Which is also technically your family. Try wrapping your head around that."

I snorted, sending a faint ribbon of shadow ahead to scout the woods. "More than glad. It's like someone lifted the weight of three realms off my spine." I glanced at him sideways. "And you? Winter's death-glare doesn't scare you off?"

He grinned, broad and unapologetic, flexing like the werewolf he was. "Nah. It's hot." Then, with a laugh, "And honestly? When I'm around, her nightmares turn into… significantly better dreams."

I shook my head. "You're unbelievable."

"Maybe," he said, still smiling, "but I'm serious. Mated to the daughter of the demon my parents hated their entire lives?" He shrugged. "Wild. Absolutely insane. But worth every second."

For once, I didn't argue.

We delved deeper, the woods enveloping us in a cathedral of green and gold. Sunlight dappled through the canopy, birdsong punctuating our banter. "Bet I bag the first bear," Nicholas boasted, his vampire speed making him blur ahead.

"Bet you trip over your ego first," I shot back, enhanced senses picking up rustles—deer, rabbits, but no bears yet. Laughter bubbled between us, easy and genuine, the kind that forged brothers from rivals.

As dusk crept in, painting the sky in fiery oranges, we tracked a promising trail—paw prints the size of dinner plates. "This one's mine," Nicholas whispered, crouching low, dark eyes locked on the underbrush.

"Like hell," I murmured, shadows coiling at my fingertips, ready to ensnare.

We burst into a clearing, the massive bear rearing up with a thunderous roar, fur matted and eyes wild. Nicholas lunged with hybrid ferocity, claws extending. "Gotcha!"

I flanked it, illusions of fear making it hesitate. "Teamwork, Nick— or are you hogging?"

He laughed mid-leap. "Fine, shadow boy—your turn!"

The beast swiped, but we dodged, our movements synchronized like a deadly dance. "One down!" Nicholas whooped as it fell, our combined powers overwhelming.

Panting, we high-fived, the thrill electric. "That's two for me, one for you," he teased.

"Bullshit—my illusion did half the work!"

Night fully descended, stars prickling the velvet sky like diamonds. We sat by a crackling fire we'd built, roasting chunks of meat, the smoky aroma mingling with pine. "Man, this is living," Nicholas said, leaning back against a log, fangs glinting in the firelight. "No kingdoms, no drama—just us, the woods, and a pile of prey."

I nodded, a rare peace settling. "Yeah. Katrina would love this story. Us, the mighty hunters."

He smirked. "Winter too. Though she'd probably weave a nightmare where the bear wins just to humble us."

Laughter erupted again, raw and freeing. "You're right. Sisters, man—they keep us grounded."

"Or terrified," he added, eyes twinkling.

Out of nowhere, the air shimmered, a rift tearing open like fabric ripped by invisible claws. A portal—swirling vortex of crimson and black, humming with malevolent energy. My enhanced senses screamed danger. "Nick—"

Before we could react, demons poured out—close to twenty, hulking forms with jagged horns, leathery wings, and eyes glowing like embers. The underground minions. Recognition hit like a gut punch, fragments of memory surging: the demon realm, the torment, the escape.

"What the—?" Nicholas snarled, shifting into hybrid form, claws and fangs ready.

"Vaelthor!" one demon hissed, voice like grinding stones. "The master demands your return. And your sister too—but you'll do for now."

I summoned shadows, tendrils lashing out. "Over my dead body!"

They swarmed, chains of dark iron whipping through the air. Nicholas blurred, tackling two, his blood magic flaring. "Vince, behind you!"

I spun, fear illusions making a demon clutch its head in terror. "Who sent you?"

The leader laughed, a guttural sound. "The king himself. You stole the portal key, fled like cowards. Now, pay."

We fought fiercely, the clearing a chaos of roars, clashes, and magic. My demonic strength crushed one, but they outnumbered us. "Nick, we need to run—call Mom Natalie to teleport us to the palace!"

"Trying!" he growled, regenerating from a slash, but chains wrapped his legs.

A net of shadows—not mine—ensnared me, illusions failing against their kin. "No!"

They dragged us toward the portal, my heart pounding with desperate fury. "Katrina! Mom!" I shouted, voice breaking.

Nicholas struggled. "Winter—hold on!"

The vortex swallowed us, the world twisting into nightmare.