Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 128

Isolde's POV

I woke with a start, my entire body aching in places I didn't know could ache. The elegant wall clock in Alpha Ezra's master suite read eleven thirty in the morning. I'd been watching that clock for the past hour, willing the minutes to move faster.

Ezra had promised to return by noon to take me out. "I have some urgent matters to attend to," he'd murmured against my ear before leaving early this morning. "I'll be back around eleven to pick you up."

I sat up slowly, wincing as my muscles protested. Last night had been... intense. My body still bore the pleasant soreness of our passionate encounter, a physical reminder of how completely he'd claimed me. I'd never experienced anything like it before—the way he'd taken me again and again until I'd literally passed out from pleasure.

I paced the luxurious master suite, my eyes continuously darting to the clock. The minute hand seemed to be moving at an agonizingly slow pace. Eleven thirty-five. Eleven forty. Eleven forty-five.

After another circuit around the room, I sat back down on the edge of the bed, exhaustion washing over me. I gently massaged my sore thighs, remembering how they'd been wrapped around Ezra's waist last night. Just as I was about to lie back down, the electronic lock on the door beeped, announcing someone's arrival.

I immediately straightened, my heart inexplicably racing. The door swung open to reveal Una.

"Una," I greeted.

"Alpha Ezra has returned," she informed me, her tone clipped and formal. "He's waiting for you, Miss Blackwood."

I nodded, grabbing my small designer handbag from the nightstand.

Outside the building, a security guard held open the door to a sleek black Maybach. My heartbeat quickened as I scanned my surroundings, noting the five black SUVs—two ahead and three behind—forming a protective convoy.

*The CEO of a business empire travels like a head of state. How dramatic,* I thought.

I nodded politely to the security guard before sliding gracefully into the car. Immediately, Ezra's scent enveloped me—expensive cologne mingled with the natural musk of a powerful Alpha. My wolf stirred restlessly, responding to his presence before I even saw him.

"Good morning, Isolde," Ezra greeted, his deep voice sliding over my nerves like velvet.

"Good morning, Alpha Ezra," I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the warmth spreading through me as he smiled.

He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "You're even more beautiful than in the photos." His lips brushed against my neck, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

I felt his eyes close as he inhaled deeply, taking in my scent before placing a ghost of a kiss against my cheek.

The car pulled away from Silver Moon Tower silently.

"Aren't you curious about our plans for today?" he asked, his fingers still playing with the hair at the nape of my neck.

I fastened my seatbelt and raised an eyebrow. "From the moment I got in the car until now, you haven't exactly left me much room for thought, Alpha."

The corner of his mouth twitched upward. "Well said, Miss Blackwood."

"What's our first destination?" I asked directly.

"Lunch," he replied simply. "It's nearly noon, and I've made reservations at the city's finest restaurant."

I relaxed slightly. "Sounds good."

Ezra took my right hand in his, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. "Tell me, Isolde... do you have any particular food preferences?"

The question surprised me. I hadn't expected this business titan to care about such trivial matters.

"Don't overthink it," he encouraged. "Just answer the question."

"I prefer steak, medium-rare," I admitted honestly. "Whether it's filet mignon at a high-end restaurant or a burger from a roadside stand, I won't turn down quality beef."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting." Then he asked about my snack preferences.

"Dark chocolate," I answered almost instinctively.

He chuckled, the sound low and intimate. "No wonder your lips taste so sweet. You must indulge often."

I nodded, adding, "One small advantage of the Moon Alliance residence is the supply of premium snacks."

"I'm glad to hear you find the arrangements somewhat satisfactory," he remarked.

"The environment is certainly comfortable," I replied carefully, while mentally adding, *even if it is essentially a gilded cage*.

Throughout the drive, Ezra continued his questions—favorite colors, books, childhood memories—each answer carefully noted and filed away. I realized I was revealing more personal information than I'd intended, and that he was constructing a detailed profile of me.

After an exquisite lunch at the city's most exclusive restaurant, we were driven to a private beach owned by Ezra. As we walked along the shoreline, the strong sea breeze whipping around us, he resumed his questioning.

"Can you swim?" he asked.

I nodded. "My father Alaric made sure I mastered various survival skills when I was young, swimming included. Though I mostly practiced in pools."

I added, "I've only swum in natural waters a few times, at the family villa in Emerald Valley District. My friends and I would sneak out to explore. Those were rare moments of freedom."

Ezra raised an eyebrow. "So you're a rebel?"

I felt the term oversimplified things. "I just craved exploration and experiences. My father was overprotective and wanted me forever within his control."

"He limited your freedom, so you found ways to rebel," Ezra summarized.

I inwardly acknowledged his insight, laughing softly as I shrugged. "If you insist on putting it that way."

I tried to continue walking along the shore, but Ezra suddenly caught my arm. His other hand encircled my waist, pulling me against him until our bodies were flush. My cheeks heated, aware that the security personnel could see us.

"Alpha Ezra," I murmured.

He looked directly into my eyes. "Are you enjoying today?"

"'Enjoying' is far too inadequate a word to describe this experience," I answered truthfully. "This is unlike any date or interaction I've ever had."

He smiled, satisfaction evident in his expression. "I'm pleased to hear that assessment..."

Suddenly, Ezra's face contorted in pain. He dropped to one knee, clutching his ankle with a groan. Immediately alert, I crouched beside him, my professional instincts kicking in as I tried to assess what was wrong.

In a lightning-fast move, he grabbed a handful of wet sand and smeared it across my face, laughing. "Gotcha!"

Completely stunned, I froze for a moment before my eyes flashed gold, my wolf nature rising to the challenge. "You'll pay for that, Alpha," I threatened, scooping up my own handful of sand.

Ezra had already nimbly backed away, his smile showing a rare lightness. I chased after him, and soon we were playing like an ordinary couple on the beach, chasing each other and throwing sand, completely forgetting our positions and the security personnel watching from a distance.

In this brief moment, we seemed to transcend debt, contracts, and werewolf hierarchies, as if we truly were destined mates simply enjoying each other's company. Even as I laughed and played, part of me remained cautious, reminding myself not to mistake a moment of connection for something more permanent.

But for now, just for these fleeting minutes, I allowed myself to simply be.