CHAPTER 359: FAMILIAR CHILL

Natalie (Guest Appearance} ~

My heart hadn’t stopped pounding since the moment we realized Katrina’s bed was empty that night—long before her mind call ever reached us. Something had gnawed at me, an instinct that wouldn’t let me rest, and that’s why I left my chambers and teleported to hers. The room had been too still, too untouched. Her blanket lay tossed aside, her scent faint, already fading. I tore through her drawers, flung open her wardrobe, even checked the balcony where she sometimes snuck out to stargaze. Nothing. Not even a trace of her presence. That was when I summoned Zane.

Together, we stormed through the palace like a storm given flesh. Our minds tangled through the link, panic ricocheting between us as we imagined every nightmare scenario—rogue demons snatching her, a rebel pack taking revenge, or worse. "She’s gone, Zane—our baby girl is just gone!" My voice had cracked under the gravity of the words, celestial energy sparking around me uncontrollably, rattling the very air. I couldn’t contain the raw desperation as I scoured the gardens, the training grounds, even the sacred halls, praying for a flicker of her presence.

Zane and I kept it between us, afraid it might turn out to be another one of Katrina’s reckless escapades. It wouldn’t be the first. She had a talent for breaking the rules, and we didn’t want to rouse the entire palace only to find her sulking in some hidden alcove. But this time, I felt the difference. My powers, when I reached for her, met not resistance—but nothing. A void. As if the universe itself had swallowed her up.

Zane’s growl rumbled through the bond, low and dangerous, his alpha aura spreading like a thunderstorm. "We’ll find her, Nat. Nicholas is probably with her—they’re inseparable. Let’s try him first. If he’s silent too, we’ll call Sebastian and the guards." His voice was steady, but I knew him too well. Beneath that iron control, fear clawed at him just as mercilessly as it did me.

We tried reaching Nicholas. No response. The silence was unbearable. My chest ached like I’d been cleaved in two. And then—finally—the call came through. Katrina’s voice, laced with anxiety and a hit of fear, broke into my mind like a knife through glass. Relief and terror surged together, twisting in my stomach.

Without hesitation, I picked up her signal and immediately, Zane and I tore the air open and stepped through the shimmer of teleportation. The world reformed around us in a blur of shadows and damp earth. A forest clearing, moonlight dripping through the branches. The scent of wet pine and mud hit me, grounding me in the chaos.

And then—I saw her. Our daughter. Fierce, stubborn, reckless Katrina, smeared with mud but alive. Nicholas stood at her side, his own clothes torn from whatever madness they’d stumbled into.

Relief crashed over me, so fierce it stole my breath. My knees nearly buckled. I rushed forward, pulled her against me with a strength that bordered on desperation. My arms locked around her trembling frame, as if I could stitch her to me and never let her slip away again.

For that heartbeat in time, nothing else mattered. Not the unanswered questions, not the gnawing void, not the strange pull in my soul that told me this was only the beginning of something far bigger. All I could feel was her—warm, breathing, alive—in my arms.

"Katrina! Oh, my sweet girl, you scared us half to death!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking as I buried my face in her hair, so much like my own but wilder, untamed. She smelled of adventure and dirt, but underneath, that familiar mix of celestial warmth and lycan fire.

"Mom, I’m okay, really," Katrina mumbled, her blue eyes—mirrors of her father’s—meeting my gaze with that defiant spark. She hugged me back tightly, her body trembling just a fraction. "I didn’t mean to worry you. It was... something pulled me here."

Zane was right behind me, his massive frame enveloping us both. "Princess, are you hurt? Let me see," he demanded, his deep voice rumbling with worry as his hands gently patted her down, checking for any sign of harm. His eyes, sharp and sparkling in the dim light, scanned her from head to toe.

"Dad, stop fussing—I’m fine!" Katrina protested, pulling away slightly but not enough to break the embrace. She laughed, a light, nervous trill that eased the knot in my chest. "Just a little dirty. No scratches, I swear."

I cupped her face, my eyes glowing faintly as I searched her aura. No dark taint, no lingering curses—just our girl, whole and hale. "Your bed empty, no note... We thought the worst, sweetheart. Promise me you’ll never do that again." I kissed her forehead, tears pricking my eyes.

Then we turned to Nicholas, that brooding hybrid with his father’s black hair and dark eyes, standing there with his usual cocky stance. "Nicholas," Zane said, clapping a hand on his shoulder like the old friend he was to Seb. "You little rascal? What in the realms were you thinking?"

Nick shrugged, but his tone held respect, not defiance. "Uncle Zane, Aunt Nat—it wasn’t like that. I’m good, no injuries. Kat pulled me into it, but... hey, we’re alive, right?"

I hugged him quickly, my hands fluttering over him just as I had with Katrina. "No bites? No strange magic clinging to you?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. He was like a son to us, Seb and Cass’s miracle child.

"None, Aunt Nat. Promise," Nick replied, his magnetic charm slipping through with a wry grin. "Kat’s the reckless one here—I’m just the backup."

Zane’s growl rumbled low, his werewolf intensity flaring. "Sneaking out without a word? Katrina, Nicholas—do you have any idea the dangers out there? Enemies lurking in every shadow, rogue demons, packs itching for rebellion. You could have been ambushed!"

"Dad, I know," Katrina said, her voice small but edged with that impulsive fire. "But something called me here. I had to follow it—it felt important."

"And you, Nick," I interjected, my tone stern yet emotional, tears glistening. "We trust you to protect her, not join the madness. Your father will hear about this, young man."

Nick winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I figured. But Aunt Nat, it wasn’t a joyride. Something big went down."

The anger ebbed as quickly as it came, our relief too profound to sustain it. Zane exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, we’re just glad you’re safe. Now, let’s get you both home—"

That’s when our eyes shifted to the two strangers standing apart, shadows clinging to them like veils. A young man and woman, poised and enigmatic. Zane’s curiosity sharpened, his senses honing in. "And who might these two be? Friends of yours?"

The young man—Vincent, as he introduced himself—stepped forward with a steady, charming voice that carried a dangerous edge. "I’m Vincent. This is my sister, Winter."

Winter nodded silently, her eyes guarded, staying close to Nick as if drawing silent strength.

Zane tilted his head, probing but neutral. "Vincent and Winter. What brings you out here? Waiting for your parents? We can offer a lift if needed."

Before Vincent could respond, Katrina blurted out, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson, "Vincent’s my mate!" She grabbed his arm, pulling him closer with nervous energy. "Surprise?"

Nick jumped in, his cocky pride shining. "And Winter’s mine. Double surprise?"

The words hung in the air, and then—explosion. Zane’s eyes widened, shock giving way to a booming laugh that shook the trees. "Mates? Both of you?" He clapped his hands together, the sound like thunder from his alpha strength. "By the gods, Nat! Did you hear that? Our girl’s found her mate—and Seb’s boy too!"

Joy surged through me like a flood, threatening to overflow and illuminate the entire forest. My heart swelled, tears of happiness blurring my vision. "Oh, Katrina! Nicholas! This is... this is wonderful!" I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth before I rushed forward, pulling Katrina into another fierce hug. "I’m so happy for you, sweetheart. A mate—your destined one!"

Katrina laughed, hugging me back. "Mom, you’re squeezing the life out of me! But yeah... it’s real. Vincent—he’s everything."

Zane was already bear-hugging Vincent, his iron grip warm and welcoming. "Welcome to the family, son! Ha! Can’t wait to tell Seb—his boy’s snagged a mate. We’ll throw a feast that’ll shake the realms!"

Laughter bubbled up, infectious and surreal. I turned to Winter, using the moment while Zane occupied Vincent. "You’re beautiful, dear," I whispered, embracing her gently. "We’re so happy for you and Nicholas."

Winter stiffened at first, her body rigid like ice, but then she relaxed just a fraction, offering a small, tentative smile. "Thank you... Aunt Nat?" she murmured, her voice enigmatic yet soft.

But as I held her, a familiar chill raced down my spine—like the whisper of ancient darkness, cold and insidious. I told myself it was nothing, just the night air or my overactive senses after the scare. Why would I probe with mind-reading or prophetic sight over a silly chill? These were our children’s mates—fate’s gift. I smiled warmly and released her. "You’ll fit right in, I promise."

Then it was Vincent’s turn. Zane stepped back, still chuckling, and I moved in, wrapping my arms around him. "Welcome, Vincent. You’ve made our daughter so happy already."

He returned the hug politely, his voice charming. "Thank you, ma’am. It’s an honor."

But the chill from Winter? It doubled, tripled, a frigid wave that made my skin prickle and my celestial light flicker in warning. Curiosity gnawed at me—why this sensation? Out of instinct, I leaned in subtly, inhaling his scent. Pine, shadows, and... brimstone. Demon. Pure, undiluted demonic essence, masked but unmistakable. My blood ran cold.

Worse, as I tried to peer into his mind—my prophetic eyes glowing faintly, seeking visions of his past, his intentions—nothing. I met a void, an impenetrable wall. I reached for Winter’s mind through our lingering proximity—same barrier. Unreadable, unseeable. This had never happened before. Not with demons, not with gods. My powers, forged from celestial divinity, always pierced through.

Panic clawed at me, but I kept my face composed, pulling back with a forced smile. Through our mind link, I reached Zane instantly. "Zane, listen—Vincent and Winter, they’re demons. In disguise. I can’t read their minds, can’t see into their pasts. Nothing penetrates. This isn’t right."

His laughter died in his throat, though outwardly he maintained the jovial facade. "What? Demons? But your powers... they’ve never failed. Are you sure?"

"Dead sure. The scent, the chill—it’s Kalmia’s echo, or something like it. And the block? Unprecedented. They could be up to anything—ambush, infiltration."

Zane’s mind raced, his alpha instincts kicking in. "This screams trap. We grab the kids and go. Now. No warning—they might strike if we hesitate."

"Agreed," I replied, my heart aching at the betrayal unfolding. "On three."

Without a word, without even a flicker of warning, I placed my hand on Katrina’s arm, my other gripping Zane’s tightly. He clamped his massive hand on Nicholas’s shoulder. "Mom? What—" Katrina started, confusion etching her face.

But it was too late. The air shimmered violently, my teleportation magic surging. "Hold on!" I whispered urgently.

Zane growled low, "We’re leaving—now!"

Nick’s eyes widened. "Uncle Zane? Aunt Nat—what’s happening?"

In a whoosh of celestial light and lycan shadow, we vanished, the forest clearing dissolving into ether. Vincent and Winter’s shocked faces blurred as we teleported away, leaving them stranded in the darkness.

But oh, we weren’t prepared for what came next—the rippling consequences that fate had woven, waiting to unravel.