The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter-Chapter 106: A Love I Could Never Have

Cassandra~

I woke up to the sensation of being watched. My senses sharpened instantly, my body tensing as I prepared for a fight. But when my eyes fluttered open, the sight before me was not an enemy.

It was Sebastian.

He was lying beside me, his head propped up on one arm, watching me with an expression so raw, so intense, that it made my breath catch. His dark eyes burned with something unspoken, something I wasn’t sure I had the strength to face.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The silence between us was heavy—dangerous, even. I should have looked away. I should have rolled over, put some distance between us. But I didn’t.

Instead, I let myself drink him in.

Sebastian, with his jet-black hair that fell over his forehead in careless waves. Sebastian, with his perfectly sculpted features, his smirk always a second away from appearing. Sebastian, whose mere presence made my chest ache in ways I forced myself to ignore.

Gods, I wanted him.

I wanted him more than I had ever wanted anything in my life.

But I couldn’t have him.

His life, his very existence, was in danger because of me. If I let myself love him—if I let myself fall—it wouldn’t be long before Kalmia decided to take what she wanted. His blood.

Sebastian didn’t know it, but every vampire I had ever come across had died at my hands. Kalmia made sure of it. And I couldn’t—wouldn’t—let Sebastian be next.

He deserved better.

He deserved to live.

Even if it meant I had to leave him.

Just two more hours. That was all I would allow myself. Two hours before I forced myself to walk away.

But damn it, he was making it difficult.

"You’re staring, Sebastian," I murmured.

Sebastian blinked, as if only just realizing he had been caught. His lips curled into a cocky smirk. "Can you blame me?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, actually."

He laughed, the sound low and husky in the quiet morning air. "Well, that’s unfortunate, because I have no intention of stopping."

I tried to glare at him. Really, I did. But the way he was looking at me—the way his dark eyes traced my face as if memorizing every line—made it impossible.

Instead, I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling. "You do realize you’re acting like a total creep, right?"

Sebastian hummed, utterly unbothered. "Mmhmm. But I bet you love it."

Damn him.

Damn him for being right.

I turned my head, meeting his gaze. I pretended not to notice the way his fingers twitched, like he was fighting the urge to reach for me. And gods help me—I wanted him to. Badly.

I’d spent my whole life keeping people at a safe distance, making sure no one got close enough to hurt me. But Sebastian... he was different. He made me feel things I had no business feeling. He made me wish—just for a second—that I could be someone else. Someone worthy of him.

And just this once, I decided to let myself have this. I knew I shouldn’t, but I chose to be selfish.

I reached out slowly, letting my fingers brush softly against his cheek.

Sebastian stiffened, his breath hitching. He stared at me like I’d just rewritten every unspoken rule between us—like I’d just broken something he never expected me to touch.

To be fair, I couldn’t believe it either. All I knew was that I needed to feel him.

"Brielle..." he breathed.

My heart stilled.

He didn’t know my real name. And I couldn’t bring myself to correct him because if I did, he might start digging. And if he did that... he might find the monster underneath.

Sebastian grinned, fangs flashing. "I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen."

I felt my heart leap. I never thought I will ever hear someone say that to me. My eyes welled up quickly and just as quickly I pushed the tears back down and forced a smirk. "I think you’re the most beautiful vampire I’ve ever seen too."

Sebastian’s smirk faltered, his expression turning almost... bashful.

Gods, why was he so damn cute?

I tilted my head, watching him closely. "What? Did I just make the great Sebastian Lawrence blush?"

His eyes narrowed. "I don’t blush."

I grinned. "You so would if you were human."

Sebastian scoffed, rolling onto his side to face me fully. "You’re awfully confident for someone who just woke up looking like she fought a war in her sleep."

I gasped in mock offense. "Excuse me?"

His lips twitched. "You heard me."

"I’ll have you know, I wake up looking flawless."

He chuckled. "Of course you do, Brielle."

Brielle.

The name really stung, even though it shouldn’t have. It was a lie. A shield. A way to make sure he never went looking for the real me.

And yet... a part of me almost wished he could call me by my real name.

I shook the thought away. I was playing a dangerous game, and I needed to stop before I forgot who I really was.

Before I forgot that I wasn’t allowed to have this.

But then Sebastian took my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles.

My breath hitched.

His lips were cool against my skin, but his touch burned.

I looked into his eyes and saw the silent plea there. The longing. The need.

I shouldn’t.

I couldn’t.

But gods, I wanted to.

So I did.

I leaned in slowly, closing the distance between us. Sebastian’s eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn’t expected me to make the first move.

And then, just as my lips brushed against his cool ones, he melted completely.

The kiss was slow, lingering—almost hesitant, as if he was savoring the moment. As if he was afraid I would disappear if he moved too fast.

I pressed closer, losing myself in the feel of him, in the way his hands rested on my waist, in the way he kissed me like I was something precious. Something fragile.

Like I was something worth loving.

It was intoxicating.

It was Dangerous.

I wanted more. I wanted so much more.

My hands tugged hungry at his shirt, hoping to take it off his back but before I could take things further, Sebastian pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against mine.

His voice was soft, almost reverent. "We have time."

I blinked, trying to focus. "What?"

He smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "We have forever, Brielle. There’s no rush."

Forever.

The word cut through my heart leaving a deep wound.

There was no forever for us.

But I couldn’t tell him that. Not now.

So I let him hold me.

I let myself pretend, just for a little while longer, that this could be real.

That I could be his.

That I could stay.

I closed my eyes and rested my head against his chest, ignoring the coldness of his skin.

Because no matter how cold his body was, I felt warm.