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

Chapter 291: Her Scent in my Veins

Sebastian~

I never thought I’d get to wake up to the sight of her like this – tangled in my sheets, hair splayed across my chest, breathing softly against my collarbone. For centuries, I’d woken up alone, darkness pressed against my mind, my undead heart beating only out of stubborn defiance. But it was different nowadays.

Today, I woke up alive.

Cassandra’s arm was draped across my stomach, her leg thrown possessively over mine. The early dawn light filtered through the curtains, illuminating her pale lashes and the faint pink scar on her brow. I brushed my thumb against it gently. Her nose scrunched, and a small huff of annoyance left her lips.

"Stop staring at me like that," she mumbled without opening her eyes.

I chuckled, the sound rumbling through my chest and vibrating against her cheek. "Like what, darling?"

"Like you’re trying to paint me with your eyes. Go back to sleep." She tightened her hold around me, her nails grazing my side. And I liked every moment of it.

"Can’t help it," I whispered, bending to kiss her temple. Her hair smelled of vanilla and burnt embers, a scent that wrapped around my senses and made my fangs ache. "I like watching my mate sleep. It makes me feel... peaceful."

At that, her eyes opened. Her dark pupils pinned me with an intensity that made my dead heart stutter. "Sebastian Lawrence, you are an idiot."

"Guilty," I said with a grin, then rolled over so she lay beneath me. She let out a squeak of protest before her eyes widened at the sight of my grin. I bent low, nipping her bottom lip playfully. "But I’m your idiot."

"Don’t remind me," she breathed, but her hands found my face, cupping it with a tenderness that could shatter me if I let it. "You’re too... much sometimes. Too charming. Too stubborn."

"And too handsome?" I teased, flicking my hair back dramatically. She burst out laughing, her voice echoing through the quiet room, filling it with life.

"Definitely not humble," she said, pushing my face away playfully. But then her eyes softened, and she brushed her fingers over my jawline. "But... you’re perfect for me."

I paused, my smile faltering as something trembled in my chest. I dipped my head, resting my forehead against hers. "Say that again."

"You’re perfect for me, Sebastian Lawrence," she whispered.

I closed my eyes tightly, breathing her in. If only she knew what those words meant to me. I was a monster, a creature who fed on life itself to survive. Yet to her, I was perfect. I didn’t deserve it, but I would protect it with everything I had.

I pressed a kiss to her lips – soft, reverent, lingering. "I love you, Cassandra."

Her breath hitched as she whispered back, "I love you too."

Later that morning, I brought her to meet my coven—officially this time. My coven... the same people who once left me out under the scorching sun to die just because I had the audacity to stand up to a tyrant. I still remember the look in their eyes back then: fear, regret, helplessness. But centuries later, when I returned with power beyond their imagination and finally took down the monster who forced their hands, they wept at my feet, begging for forgiveness.

Since then, they’ve worshipped the very ground I walk on. Normally, I’d think it was a bit much—people kneeling everywhere I go—but today? Today it felt... satisfying. Not for myself, but because they were kneeling to her too. To Cassandra.

Thanks to Jacob’s cloaking spell, no one recognised her as the Cassandra—the vampire slayer whose name haunted their nightmares. In their minds, that fierce slayer died long ago. Jacob and I made sure of it with the little performance we put on for them. Part of me still felt guilty for lying to them, for playing with their memories like that. But then I’d look at her—alive, safe, and here with me—and I knew I’d do it all over again.

I squeezed her hand gently as we stepped into the grand marble hall of the coven estate. The place glittered with gold chandeliers hanging from impossibly high ceilings. The floors, polished obsidian, mirrored the entire scene back at us, almost like the world was bowing twice in her honour. Rows upon rows of vampires stood waiting, their heads bowed low in silent reverence.

I could feel her grip tighten around my fingers, a small tremble running through her. She wasn’t used to this—being worshipped, being respected, being anything more than herself. I leaned down close to her ear and whispered, "Don’t worry. Today, they bow to you not out of fear... but because you’re mine."

She glanced up at me, her eyes shining with so many unspoken emotions. Pride. Uncertainty. Love. And as I led her down that aisle of kneeling vampires, I realized something simple but powerful: for the first time in my very long life, I wasn’t walking alone.

"My lord," came a soft voice from ahead.

It was Marcellus—a young vampire with tousled brown hair and storm-grey eyes that always seemed to carry a hint of curiosity. I took him in about fifty years ago, when he was nothing but a starving fledgling left to fend for himself in the gutters of Venice. Now, he stood tall in his dark tailored suit, looking every bit the refined noble I trained him to be.

He dipped his head respectfully as we approached, his eyes flicking briefly to Cassandra before returning to me, curiosity burning brighter behind his calm expression.

"Is this...?" he asked, his voice careful but eager, unable to finish the question.

A grin tugged at my lips. I slipped an arm firmly around Cassandra’s waist and pulled her closer to my side. I wanted everyone to see—no confusion, no assumptions, just the truth.

"My mate," I declared proudly, my voice echoing across the marble hall. "Cassandra."

She shifted under my arm, her cheeks pink with quiet embarrassment, but she didn’t pull away. If anything, she leaned into my touch, grounding herself in the moment.

Marcellus blinked, his eyes widening before a genuine smile spread across his face, fangs glinting slightly as he bowed deeper. "Welcome, my lady. It is an honour to have you join us."

"She will be part of this coven from now on," I continued, letting my gaze sweep over the others.

There was a collective murmur of approval. Some vampires whispered to each other, and I caught the word ’beautiful’ echoing through their minds. Damn right she was. Beautiful, powerful, terrifying – mine.

"Welcome, Lady Cassandra," Marcellus said with a bow, his long black cloak sweeping the floor. "We are honoured to have you join our coven."

Cassandra stiffened beside me. I squeezed her waist reassuringly. Her gaze darted across the hall, at the dozens of eyes watching her, and for a brief moment, her cold, ruthless hunter mask cracked. She looked... nervous.

"I... um..." she swallowed, then straightened her shoulders, slipping back into her unbreakable persona. "Thank you. I’ll try not to... eat anyone."

Gasps erupted across the hall until they noticed her teasing smirk. Laughter followed quickly, easing the tension. I leaned down, whispering in her ear, "They already fear you, darling. Don’t give them heart attacks."

She elbowed me lightly. "Maybe I want to."

That evening, as the coven welcomed her with blood-champagne and music, I pulled her away to the garden. The moonlight painted her skin silver. The roses bent toward her, as if offering homage to their new queen.

"Do you like it here?" I asked softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her eyes glistened under the moonlight. "I do... I really do."

"Good." I kissed her forehead, feeling the fear in my chest loosen slightly. But it never fully left. Kalmia was still out there, hunting for me and my blood, wanting to consume my power and enslave Cassandra’s body for herself.

Jacob had assured me that his cloaking spell and barrier seals were impenetrable to Kalmia’s demonic senses, but... I was a vampire. Hope was never my strongest trait. Caution was.

The next morning, I woke up to Cassandra pressed against my back, her arms around my waist. I felt her breathing slow and even, her fingers twitching every now and then. I turned slowly, careful not to wake her, and just watched.

Her hair was a mess, her lips parted slightly, and her cheek was squished against the pillow. She looked adorable. Terrifying, but adorable. My terrifying mate.

I must have smiled too wide because her eyes cracked open. "Why are you smiling like a lunatic again?" she mumbled, voice husky with sleep.

"Because you’re drooling on my pillow."

She jerked up immediately, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Seeing her panic, I burst out laughing. She glared at me, smacking my chest. "You’re evil."

"True. But you still love me." I caught her wrist, pulling her back down and kissing her softly. She sighed into my mouth, curling against me. For a while, we just lay there, basking in the silence.

But the silence didn’t last long.

A sharp voice cut through my mind like lightning. "Sebastian."

I blinked, recognising the mental link immediately. Zane.

"What is it, princeling?" I replied lazily, twirling a lock of Cassandra’s hair around my finger as she lay curled against my chest. Her breathing was soft, peaceful, grounding me in a moment that felt almost human.

But his voice came back taut, vibrating with a dangerous mix of rage and triumph. "Kalmia. She’s been caught."

The world seemed to tilt. Everything froze—my thoughts, my breath, even the playful rhythm of Cassandra’s hair slipping through my fingers. My heart slammed against my ribs so hard it hurt.

"C-caught... by who?" I managed to ask, my mind struggling to keep up with the words.

"Natalie and Jacob," he replied, each syllable laced with pride. "She’s imprisoned now. Her execution is in four days. Natalie wants you and Cassandra there. I’ll call you later for more details."

I felt like the entire universe narrowed down to that one truth. Imprisoned. Executed. The words slammed into me over and over, shaking loose a burden I hadn’t realized was fused to my bones. The suffocating weight that had haunted every second of my immortal life... it was lifting.

"Sebastian?" Cassandra’s soft whisper shattered through my shock. Her eyes searched my face, her brows knitted in confusion and worry as her hands gently cupped my cheeks. "What is it? What happened?"

I swallowed hard, my throat tight with emotion I couldn’t name. "She’s been caught... Kalmia. Natalie and Jacob captured her. Zane wants us there... for her punishment. For her execution."

For a moment, there was only silence. Heavy, deafening silence. Then a shaky laugh burst from her lips, tears welling up so quickly they slipped down her cheeks before she could blink them away. "She’s... gone? Really gone? We’re free?"

I nodded, pressing my forehead against hers as I watched tears blur her vision. The two of us just sat there, foreheads touching, hearts pounding in the same frantic rhythm.

"We’re free, darling," I whispered, my voice breaking as relief crashed through me like a sea waves. "We’re finally free."

A sob tore out of her, and she laughed and cried all at once, clutching my face like she was afraid I’d disappear. Then she kissed me—hard, desperate, her lips trembling against mine. I kissed her back just as fiercely, pouring every drop of relief, gratitude, and raw, aching love into her mouth until my chest hurt.

We were free.

After all these time, after all the blood, pain, and nightmares... we were finally free.

But deep down, beneath the flood of elation, a quiet, cold voice whispered in my soul:

Not yet. Not until I watch her die with my own eyes.noveldrama

And I would. With Cassandra by my side, I would watch every last breath leave Kalmia’s body.

Only then would we truly be free.