The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter-Chapter 36: Who Are You

Natalie~

I never thought happiness was something meant for me. Life had always been cruel—ripping away the people I loved, tossing me aside like I was nothing. But somehow, against all odds, I had found a home. A real home.

Zane and Alexander had changed my life in ways I never thought possible.

For months, I had woken up expecting it all to be ripped away from me. I was used to that—hope was a dangerous thing when you’d spent your whole life being crushed beneath someone else’s power. But nothing changed. Zane didn’t push me away. Alex still clung to me with endless affection, calling me "Mummy," like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And now, as if I wasn’t already lucky enough, Zane had made sure I got an education. I still didn’t believe it—not even now, three months after Jacob had become my tutor.

Jacob wasn’t what I expected.

When Zane first told me about hiring a private tutor, I braced myself for someone arrogant, someone who would look down on me for being uneducated, for being nothing. I’d spent too many years in Alpha Darius’s pack, where I was treated like dirt, where even my peers sneered at me like I was beneath them.

But Jacob wasn’t like that.

He was kind. Smart. Sassy in a way that made me laugh even when I didn’t want to. He had so many degrees that I started wondering when he even had time to sleep. And, most importantly, he treated me like I was worth something.

Jacob reminded me of Garrick, the only real friend I had. I wondered how he was doing, if I would ever get to see him again.

Jacob had this way of making me feel normal. He never let me doubt myself, and every time he showed up for tutoring, he brought something with him—a small gift, a box of pastries, sometimes flowers. It annoyed Zane to no end.

"I swear, Jacob, if you bring her one more bouquet, I’m going to make sure you regret it," Zane had muttered one morning, watching Jacob set a vase of fresh lilies on the table.

"Jealousy is not a good look on you, Mr Lucky," Jacob had replied smoothly, smirking in that way that always got under Zane’s skin.

I had nearly choked on my coffee, laughing at the way Zane’s jaw twitched in irritation.

I loved watching them banter.

Between Jacob’s tutoring, Alex’s boundless energy, and Zane’s silent protectiveness, I found myself living—not just surviving, but actually living.

Alex had started going to school, and I kept my promise to pick him up every day. Zane, Roland, or Abel always drove me there in a fancy car I still wasn’t used to. Zane even told me I could use it anytime I wanted, but I didn’t know how to drive. He had offered to teach me, but his schedule was so packed that we had to keep postponing the lessons.

Roland, on the other hand, was always available, and he became something of an unofficial chauffeur. He was a kind man with a great sense of humor, and he taught me a lot—like where to find the best burgers in the city and even some basic self-defense moves, just in case I ever needed them.

I never imagined I’d be able to enjoy life like this.

And then, a week before my GED exams, Jacob told me today’s lesson was going to be outdoors.

"We should get some fresh air," he had said, grinning. "I think a change of scenery will help you relax before the big test."

Zane, of course, was immediately suspicious.

"I should come with you," he had said, crossing his arms.

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. You just don’t want me spending time alone with Natalie."

Zane scoffed. "That’s not—"

"Oh, it absolutely is," Jacob interrupted, smirking. "Admit it, Mr Lucky. You’re jealous."

Before Zane could fire back, his phone rang. He glanced at it, irritation flickering across his face before he sighed. "Damn it."

"You’re busy," Jacob said, far too smug. "Guess you’ll have to let me take her without supervision."

Zane shot him a warning look. "Roland’s going with you."

Jacob just laughed.

And so, that was how I found myself driving around the city with Roland behind the wheel and Jacob in the passenger seat, turning everything into a lesson.

"If you look at that tree over there," Jacob said, pointing, "you’ll see an example of how photosynthesis works."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously using trees to teach me science?"

"Absolutely."

He did it with everything—the buildings, the streets, even the people we passed by. I had to admit, it made learning fun.

Eventually, we ended up at a quiet park. The sun was high, the air warm and thick, and we sprawled out on the grass to rest.

"I’ll go grab us some ice cream and fast food," Roland said, stretching. "You two stay put."

Jacob and I sat beneath the shade of a towering oak, the grass cool beneath us. The air was filled with the scent of earth and wildflowers, and as we waited for Roland to return, I felt so much at peace.

Jacob, sprawled lazily beside me, plucked a blade of grass and twirled it between his fingers. "You know," he mused, "if we lived in the medieval era, I’d probably be a brilliant court scholar."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Or a very insufferable one."

Jacob clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me, dearest student." He tossed the grass aside, flashing me one of his boyish smirks. "At least admit I’d be better than all those old dudes who just sat around drinking wine and writing depressing poetry."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Maybe you’d be tolerable."

He gasped in mock offense. "Tolerable? How dare you—"

A sharp rustle.

The hairs on my arms rose.

Jacob tensed beside me, his easygoing laughter vanishing in an instant.

The rustling deepened, turning into the sound of footsteps—several of them. Shadows moved through the bushes beyond the clearing, figures slipping into view with the silent grace of predators. My breath hitched.

Six men emerged, forming a loose circle around us. Their movements were calculated, their gazes sharp and focused. My pulse quickened as I recognized the one in the lead—a tall, broad-shouldered man with cruel eyes and a jagged scar down his left cheek. Marcus.

Ice flooded my veins.

I knew him.

He had beaten me before, under Alpha Darius’s command.

His smirk was cold as his gaze landed on me. "We’ve been looking for you, Natalie."

Jacob shifted in front of me instantly, his body a barrier between me and them. His stance was different now—rigid, protective.

"Stay behind me," he murmured, voice taut with warning.

Marcus barely acknowledged Jacob’s presence. His dark eyes remained fixed on me, as if Jacob was nothing more than an irritating obstacle. "Alpha Darius sends his regards."

I swallowed hard, but my voice came out steady. "What do you want?"

His smirk widened. "You, of course."

A sick, twisted sense of familiarity slithered through me.

Marcus took a slow step forward, his voice dripping with condescension. "You belong to Alpha Darius."

I clenched my fists. "I belong to no one."

Jacob’s voice was sharp as steel. "I don’t know who the hell you think you are," he snapped, "but you need to back off."

Marcus ignored him. "If you don’t come with us willingly..." His gaze flickered to Jacob, amusement dancing in his expression. "Well, let’s just say your friend here won’t be leaving this park alive."

A chill ran down my spine, but I forced myself to hold my ground.

"You have no right," I bit out, my voice laced with fury. "Alpha Darius himself cast me out. He made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me. Why would he suddenly change his mind?"

Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. "You’re his property, Natalie. That’s all you’ve ever been."

Rage ignited in my chest.

I wasn’t property.

I wasn’t something to be owned or controlled.

I took a step forward, ready to unleash every ounce of my fury—

But one of the men lunged.

Everything happened too fast.

A hand shot out toward me—fingers reaching, grasping—

Jacob moved like a streak of lightning.

His palm slammed against the man’s head, and suddenly—

Light.

A brilliant, searing flash erupted from Jacob’s hand, like a bolt of white fire. It was blinding, pure, otherworldly.

The man didn’t even have time to react. His body crumpled, collapsing like a poppet whose strings had been cut. He hit the ground with a sickening crack, then he was motionless.

Silence.

For a moment, all I could hear was my own heartbeat, pounding violently in my ears.

The remaining men hesitated, their confident postures faltering. Their eyes flickered between Jacob and their fallen companion.

Jacob lowered his hand, his expression eerily calm. His usual playful smirk was gone, replaced by something colder. Deadlier.

"Touch her again," he said softly, "and I’ll make sure you’re turned to a pile of dust this time."

Marcus’s face twisted in shock and fury. He took an involuntary step backward.

I could barely breathe.

What had just happened?

Who—what—was Jacob?

He turned his head slightly, just enough to glance at me over his shoulder. His voice was steady, unwavering.

"Natalie," he said, "you’re not going anywhere with them."

And for the first time in my life, I believed it.