The Lycan King's Second Chance Mate: Rise of the Traitor's Daughter-Chapter 124: Hiding The Hunter

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I watched Sebastian cradle Cassandra in his arms like she was the most delicate thing in the world, even though just five minutes ago, she’d tried to shove a stake through his heart.

Cassandra looked... peaceful now. Her body limp. Breathing shallow but steady. Her head rested on Sebastian’s chest, his hand brushing her tangled dark hair away from her face like a man trying to remember who she used to be.

And mother, my heart ached for him.

I took a step closer, keeping my voice gentle. "Sebastian..."

"I know," he muttered, eyes locked on her face. "I should hate her. I really should. But I can’t."

Behind me, Jacob huffed and dusted off his hands like he’d just cleaned a cluttered attic rather than deactivated a cursed assassin.

"You’re so whipped, there’s no helping you out of that," he said, his tone drier than sandpaper.

I shot him a look. "Jacob, maybe cool the sass for five minutes? Guy’s clearly going through a lot."

Jacob raised both hands, mock innocence practically glowing from his face. "Fine, fine. I’m not made of stone, Little Moon."

"Debatable," Fox chimed in with a smirk, leaning casually against the wall.

"Anyway," Jacob continued, ignoring him, "we’ve got a bigger issue than vampire heartbreak. Sebastian, keep your eyes on her."

Sebastian looked up, his brows furrowing. "I am looking at her."

"I mean watch her, genius," Jacob clarified, stepping forward until he stood directly in front of him. "She didn’t just go rogue and tried killing her mate because she missed stabbing practice. Cassandra was under a curse."

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. "That explains the dead look in her eyes. That wasn’t her. Not even a shadow of her."

"It was Kalmia," Jacob said, his tone suddenly grave. "That demon witch. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but she’s been trying to get her claws into you for a while now."

Sebastian’s arms instinctively tightened around Cassandra’s body, holding her a little closer. "That explains a lot. So she’s using Cassandra to get to me?"

Jacob nodded. "Through link magic. Cassandra’s somehow tied to Kalmia. They have a bond, one that I can’t tell how deep it runs. Kalmia wants your blood. That’s why she came after you."

"Well that’s disturbing," I muttered under my breath. Jasmine purred in my mind, "Let her try. I dare her. I’ll rip out her intestines and use them as party streamers. No nobody touches anyone close to Zane."

"Not the time," I mentally hissed back, although a small, feral part of me agreed with her.

Jacob crouched in front of Sebastian now, his expression a rare kind of serious. "Listen carefully. I’ve broken the curse. But I doubt it would last."

"What do you mean?" Sebastian asked quietly.

"I mean," Jacob said, voice low, "that Kalmia could find her again. She can always recast the spell, especially if she knows where Cassandra is. That’s why you need to stay close to her. Watch for anything—anything—that feels off."

Sebastian’s face had gone pale. If that was even possible. "How the hell do I stop her? What do I do to break the link completely?"

Jacob looked at him for a long moment, then sighed. "There’s only one way."

There was a pause.

"Kill Kalmia."

Silence swallowed the room whole.

Sebastian stared at him, surprise written all over his face. "You’re joking."

Jacob didn’t flinch. "I never joke about demons. Especially ones that want to wear your skin as a coat."

Fox let out a low whistle. "So dramatic."

Sebastian’s fingers clenched slightly as he held Cassandra tighter. "Is it possible to kill a demon? How am I supposed to do it? Tell me, Jacob. I’m ready to do anything."

"You’re not," Jacob said with a shrug, standing up. "I am."

That caught all of us off guard.

"You are?" Sebastian asked, blinking.

"Really?" Fox echoed, looking skeptical. "Jacob, you have a lot of things that require your attention this week alone. You sure you’re up for demon-slaying? Why don’t you let someone else handle it?"

Jacob ignored him and rolled his shoulders. "I’ll handle her. But until then—" He turned and approached Cassandra’s still body in Sebastian’s arms, his hand glowing faintly with that same silvery light he’d used earlier. "I’m putting a divine cloak on her."

Sebastian tensed. "A what?"

"Think of it like... magical Wi-Fi jamming," Jacob explained, kneeling beside them. "It’ll keep Kalmia from sensing Cassandra’s presence. Should give us a bit of breathing room."

He reached out, fingers brushing Cassandra’s temple. A ripple of light spread across her body like a soft shimmer, wrapping her in a transparent veil of protection. It pulsed once—twice—then faded.

"She’s hidden now," Jacob said, his voice quiet.

Sebastian looked down at her, visibly shaken. "Will it last?"

"No," Jacob admitted, brushing a strand of hair from Cassandra’s face. "Magic like this has limits. Eventually, Kalmia will try another route—maybe through dreams, symbols, or even another cursed soul. But for now... she’s safe."

Sebastian exhaled shakily. "Thank you."

Jacob stood up, brushing his hands off again like he’d just cleaned up spilled cereal. "Don’t thank me yet. I’m off to track a demon with a vendetta and a flair for drama. You stay with her. If anything changes—call me."

"Call you?" Sebastian deadpanned. "What, like on a magical hotline? I don’t have your number, Jacob."

Jacob just smirked. "I’ll know."

"Of course you will," Sebastian muttered with an eye-roll. "Because the universe revolves around your glittery wolf-butt"

"Jealousy’s not a good look on you, Sebastian," Jacob said with a wink and Sebastian smiled.

I stepped forward, gently resting a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. He looked back at me with tired eyes.

"She’ll be okay," I said softly. "We’ll make sure of it. You’re not alone in this."

He swallowed hard, nodding. "I don’t deserve that kind of loyalty."

"You saved Zane when he was a boy," I said. "That loyalty? You earned it a long time ago."

"That was kinda sweet," Jasmine whispered. "But seriously, if Cassandra stabs anyone again, I get to bite her, not much, just a nibble."

"Down, girl," I whispered back, fighting a smile.

Fox let out a theatrical sigh, tossing his hands in the air. "Well, that was a wild ride. Almost got stabbed, witnessed a vampire love confession, now we’re plotting demon assassination... just your average Tuesday. Anyway, Little moon, you and I need to have a serious talk."

I arched a brow, lips twitching. "That sounds... mildly threatening. But sure. I’m listening."

Jacob rolled his shoulders, his bones cracking like distant thunder. "I’m heading out. Try not to burn the place down while I’m gone."

Fox held up a finger. "Actually—hold up, Wolf Spirit—I need a word with you too."