Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 115

ISOLDE'S POV

The next day, after training.

"We're here," Orion announced, pulling me from my thoughts. I blinked, realizing we'd already arrived at the Privilege Apartments.

I looked up at him with a grateful smile. "Thank you so much for walking me back."

"No problem," he replied, his expression softening. "It was nice talking with you again. I've missed our conversations."

My heart warmed at his words. I was genuinely happy Orion had accompanied me today. For the past few days, he'd been distant—no longer stopping by to check on me or suggesting we take walks together. Having him back, even briefly, felt like regaining a small piece of normalcy in this chaotic world.

I found myself staring at his handsome face a moment too long before quickly averting my gaze. "Yes, well... I should probably head inside and rest."

"Of course. Goodnight, Isolde. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight. See you tomorrow."

Orion gave my shoulder a gentle pat, offering me one last smile before turning away. I watched him stride off, his movements carrying that distinctive confidence unique to wolf warriors.

As I swiped my keycard at the entrance, I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief. How was it possible that Orion and Evanthe were siblings? They were complete opposites. Orion seemed like he'd been raised by angels, while Evanthe was like a demon who'd taken female form specifically to torment me.

I heaved a heavy sigh, pushing thoughts of the Hawthorne siblings from my mind. I had enough to worry about without dwelling on Evanthe's latest schemes to make my life miserable.

The elevator ride to my floor was mercifully quick. As I entered our suite, I was surprised to find Thalia lounging on her bed. She must have skipped training today or returned early.

"Hi, Thalia," I greeted with my brightest smile.

"Hello, Isolde," she responded without looking up from her tablet, her voice flat and disinterested.

I stood awkwardly for a moment, the chill in her voice unmistakable. It hadn't escaped my notice that both Thalia and Nyssa had been avoiding me lately. Like everyone else in this place, they were suddenly keeping their distance.

*It's that bitch Evanthe again,* Lyra growled within me. *She's poisoning everyone against you.*

I suspected Lyra was right. Something—or someone—had caused Thalia's sudden coldness. This wasn't the warm, supportive friend who'd been my only ally in the Moon Alliance Program.

As I walked toward my closet, something glinting in the trash bin caught my eye. I paused, drawn to the unexpected sparkle. Moving closer, my heart plummeted to my stomach when I recognized what lay discarded among the crumpled tissues and empty snack wrappers.

The silver bracelet I'd given Thalia just days ago was sitting in the garbage.

I blinked rapidly, not trusting my eyes. My heart began racing as my breathing became labored. I bent down and carefully extracted the bracelet from the bin, holding it with reverence and disbelief. The silver moon phases still gleamed under the lights, untarnished despite their undignified resting place.

"Thalia..." My voice trembled as I turned to face her, the bracelet dangling from my fingers. "Isn't this the bracelet I gave you a few days ago? Why is it in the trash?"

Thalia finally sat up straight, her expression blank as she regarded me. "Oh, that. I didn't want to wear it anymore, so I threw it away."

"What did you say?" I asked, shock making my voice barely audible.

"I said I threw it away," she repeated, her tone flat and devoid of any remorse. She even glared at me, as if I were the one who had done something wrong.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My eyes filled with tears as I clutched the bracelet tighter. "But Thalia, I... I told you what this bracelet meant to me. If you didn't want to wear it anymore, you could have given it back instead of throwing it away!"

"I didn't think of that," she replied coldly, getting off her bed.

"Thalia, you..." My voice cracked as tears spilled down my cheeks.

"Enough, Isolde," she cut me off sharply. "I'm exhausted today. If you're going to go on and on about this, I'm leaving."

Without another word, she stormed out of our room, tablet still in hand, leaving me standing there with my heart in pieces.

I stared at the bracelet, then at the door Thalia had just slammed shut. Nothing about this made sense. The Thalia I knew would never have been so callous, especially knowing this bracelet was part of the precious few personal items I'd been allowed to bring into the Moon Alliance Program.

I broke down in heaving sobs, unable to contain my grief. Not only had I lost what I thought was a genuine friendship, but I'd been made to feel foolish for trusting someone in this snake pit of a program.

*Don't cry, little wolf,* Lyra whispered in my mind. *You still have me.*

I carefully placed the bracelet back in my safe box, among the few treasured possessions I'd managed to bring with me. This bracelet had symbolized my friendship and gratitude to Thalia. Now it was just another painful reminder that nothing in this place was what it seemed.

As my tears subsided, a different emotion began to take hold—suspicion. The Thalia who had become my friend, who had shared meals and secrets with me, wouldn't have changed so drastically overnight. Something—or someone—must have gotten to her. This had all the hallmarks of manipulation, and I had a pretty good idea who was pulling the strings.

*It's Evanthe,* Lyra snarled inside me. *That woman wants you isolated and vulnerable here.*

I wiped my tears away, a new determination setting in. "I'm not going to let her take another friend from me," I whispered to myself, rising from the floor. "I need to talk to Thalia right now, before this gets any worse."

Just as I reached for the door, determined to track down Thalia, a sharp knock interrupted my mission. I yanked it open, ready to brush off whoever stood on the other side.

One of the residence staff—a petite woman in the standard gray uniform—stood before me, her posture rigid with formality.

"Miss Blackwood," she said, her voice clipped and professional, "Alpha Ezra requires to see you immediately."

My heart skipped a beat. "Now? Did he say what for?"

"No, miss." Her eyes flicked to my tear-stained face but she made no comment. "Shall I tell him you're on your way?"

I hesitated, glancing back at the bracelet I'd just returned to my safe box. Thalia would have to wait—nobody kept the Lycan King waiting, especially not when he specifically requested "immediate" attendance.

"Yes, tell him I'm coming right now," I replied, quickly wiping away the last traces of tears from my face.