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

Chapter 272: A Crush and an Uninvited Guest

Easter~

When Jacob suggested I escort him to the supermarket today, my heart actually leaped for joy. I tried so hard not to show it, keeping my face calm, giving a little nod like it was no big deal. But inside, I was screaming.

Honestly, I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. Jacob – the insanely handsome, ridiculously kind man who just moved in across the street – actually wanted to hang out with... me.

Me, with my tangled-up life and all its chaos. Me, with a past so bruised I prayed no one would ever stumble across it. Me, with my energetic little girl who ruled my world, and my belly already six months swollen with another tiny human.

Why would a man like him – someone who looked like he’d just stepped out of a movie scene with that easy smile and soft brown eyes – even bother talking to someone like me?

But somehow... he did.

And for once in my life, I felt... wanted. Even if it was just for something as mundane as grocery shopping.

The trip started off perfectly. I walked beside him down each aisle, listening to his deep, calm voice explaining the differences between brands like it was the most fascinating thing on earth. I kept sneaking glances at his sharp jawline, at the way his black hair curled slightly over his forehead, at his strong, graceful hands as he inspected items before placing them gently in the trolley.

I felt like I was floating. Like my feet barely touched the tiles. Like I could reach out and touch his warmth whenever I wanted.

"Easter," he said suddenly, pulling me from my daze.

"Hm?" I looked up, blinking. My cheeks heated instantly when I realised I’d been staring at his hands.

He smirked softly. "I asked if you like these biscuits. You spaced out."

"Oh—uh—" I grabbed the packet quickly, studying the brand name as if it held the secrets of the universe. "Yeah. They’re... they’re great. Rose loves them."

"Then we’ll get them," he said, and that gentle smile made my chest ache.

We continued walking. At one point, I picked up a pastel pink ceramic plate with tiny painted daisies around the rim and pressed it against my cheek. "So smooth," I whispered without thinking.

Jacob chuckled. "Want to get it?"

"No, it’s too pretty to use."

He didn’t reply, but I noticed him quietly placing a set of the plates into the trolley later on.

I was having the time of my life... until my back started aching. A dull, throbbing ache that spread to my hips, making each step heavier. I tried to hide it. I bit down on my bottom lip and kept walking, smiling up at him whenever he glanced at me.

But Jacob noticed everything. He was too good to be true.

"Sit down," he said softly, guiding me towards a small wooden bench near the bakery section.

I shook my head quickly. "No, no, I’m fine."

"Easter," his voice dropped low, quiet but firm. "Sit."

And I obeyed. Like my body couldn’t resist that tone. Like the mere command in his words unlocked something warm and fragile inside me.

My cheeks burned pink as I lowered myself onto the bench. He crouched down before me, his pretty eyes meeting mine, making me forget how to breathe.

Then, Jacob reached into his shopping cart and pulled out this massive, gorgeous brown teddy bear. For a second, I just sat there, stunned. Then he handed it to me with that easy smile of his, and I swear, my inner child practically did backflips. I hugged the bear tight against my chest, feeling ridiculously happy.

Jacob chuckled softly and said, "Stay here. I’ll get you something to drink."

"You don’t have to—"

But he was already standing up, his tall, lean form moving gracefully through the aisles until I couldn’t see him anymore. I let out a shaky breath, pressing a hand to my belly. Rose was probably having a blast with her friends at school. I missed her already, but right now, I was glad she wasn’t here to see her mother being so... stupidly lovestruck.

I stared down at my hands wrapped around the teddy bear on my lap. My nails were short and clean. I wore a simple grey maternity dress with little yellow sunflowers printed all over it. The hem rested just above my knees, my ankles swollen from standing too long, my feet in cheap white sandals. Compared to Jacob, I felt like... a wilted weed standing next to a rose garden.

"Easter?"

A voice suddenly snapped me out of my thoughts, making me jump. I glanced up, and my stomach dropped like a stone.

Brandon?

For a moment, my mind whirled with confusion. What was he doing here? I’d been spotting him everywhere these past few days –at school (okay, that I understood) – but at the pharmacy, and even outside Rose’s preschool? Part of me was starting to wonder if... no. That was just me being paranoid. Right?

He smiled that bright, toothpaste-commercial smile and sat down beside me, far too close for comfort. His expensive cologne wrapped around me instantly, musky and sharp.

"Hey... what are you doing here all alone? You okay?" His bright eyes flicked down to my belly with concern.

"I’m fine," I replied politely, shifting slightly away from him. "I’m here with... someone. He went to get me a drink."

"Oh?" Brandon’s smile didn’t falter, but I noticed a flicker of something dark in his eyes. Anger? "Who are you here with?"

"Just... a friend."

"Really?" he drawled, leaning closer. "What friend? Anyone I know?"

"No," I said quickly, clutching my belly protectively. "You wouldn’t know him."

Brandon laughed softly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I see. Well, I guess I’ll keep you company until your... friend returns."

"That’s really not necessary, Brandon," I murmured, praying silently that Jacob would come back soon.

"I insist." He settled back, crossing his legs casually. "So... tell me about him. What does he do? Where does he live?"

I frowned. "Why do you want to know that?"

He shrugged. "Just curious. I mean... judging by how your body language reacted to my questions, I’m guessing you barely know him, do you? Going around with a man you know nothing about... that’s dangerous, Easter."

"Don’t be nosy," I snapped before I could stop myself. My voice trembled, and I hated that he noticed it.

Brandon laughed again. "Don’t be so defensive. I’m just looking out for you. I care about you, you know? And honestly..." He reached out, brushing a curl away from my face with his fingers lingering against my cheek, "I’d be a better fit for you than some stranger you don’t even know."

My chest tightened painfully. I opened my mouth to reply, to tell him to leave me alone, when—

"Am I interrupting something?"

That voice.

Deep. Calm. Commanding. noveldrama

My eyes widened and I whipped around so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.

Jacob stood there, tall and strikingly handsome in his black t-shirt and dark jeans, holding out a chilled mango juice and a cinnamon pastry wrapped neatly in paper. His brown eyes flicked from me to Brandon with a calmness that felt... deadly.

Brandon stood up immediately, smoothing down his blazer. He extended a hand towards Jacob with a forced smile. "Hey, man. I’m Brandon, Easter’s classmate and friend."

Jacob smiled back. A slow, lazy smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He took Brandon’s hand and shook it firmly.

Too firmly.

Because within seconds, I noticed Brandon’s confident smile falter. His face twitched. Then slowly, his tanned skin started turning an alarming shade of red.

"Ah—hah—hey—easy there, man—" Brandon croaked, his voice strained as Jacob continued squeezing his fingers painfully tight.

I stared, frozen. Jacob’s expression remained unchanged, casual almost, like he wasn’t effortlessly crushing another man’s bones in his grip.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, Jacob released his hand. Brandon quickly pulled it back, massaging his fingers with a grimace, trying to regain composure.

"Well..." Brandon forced out a chuckle, eyes darting from Jacob to me, "I’ll... um... leave you two to it then."

"Please do," Jacob replied calmly, his tone polite but his eyes glinting with something dark and surprising.

Brandon looked at me, his gaze lingering for a moment, as if trying to silently tell me something, then he turned sharply and walked away without another word.

I released a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My whole body trembled as I stared at Jacob. He placed the mango juice into my hands with surprising gentleness, brushing his thumb over my knuckles briefly.

"Drink up," he murmured softly.

I looked up into his warm eyes, and for a moment, I thought I saw something there. Something deep and fierce and protective. Something that made my heart ache so badly I almost cried. But I knew it was probably my wishful thinking playing tricks on me.

"Thank you..." I whispered, my voice catching in my throat.

He crouched down before me again, his large hand gently covering my belly, feeling the baby’s soft kicks. His touch was so tender it broke something inside me. Tears welled in my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away before they could fall and make me look desperate.

"Don’t thank me," he said, his voice low and rough with emotion. "I’m just glad you’re okay."

I stared at him, my lips parting, words dying in my throat. Because what could I say to that? To the man I was falling so desperately in love with, even though I knew he could never be mine.

Instead, I took a sip of the mango juice. The sweetness coated my tongue, cooling the burning ache in my chest.

Jacob stood up again, holding out his hand to me. "Come on," he said softly, his eyes gentle and knowing. "Let’s go home."

And without a second thought, I placed my trembling hand in his, letting his warmth swallow my fears whole.