Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 131

EZRA'S POV

I drummed my fingers against the polished mahogany desk. Another emergency board meeting. They always brought trouble.

The last one had been about my need to choose a Luna and ensure the Silver Moon Group had a clear succession plan. As if I didn't understand the importance of that already. I was the CEO of this company and the Lycan King. I knew my responsibilities better than anyone.

But that didn't stop me from feeling intensely irritated. Sometimes I wished I could shed these responsibilities and live life on my own terms. No board members breathing down my neck, no pack politics to navigate, no expectations to fulfill.

The intercom on my desk buzzed. "Mr. Silverwood, the board members are gathering in the main conference room."

"I'll be there shortly," I replied, straightening my tie and standing up.

As I approached the conference room, I spotted Orion stepping out of the elevator. From the opposite direction, Nathaniel was walking toward me as well, his expression carefully neutral.

Orion gave me a slight bow. "Boss."

"Do you know what this meeting is about?" I asked him directly.

"Not certain, Boss," Orion replied, his eyes meeting mine briefly. "But if I had to guess, they want to discuss the mate situation. Since those girls entered the Moon Alliance Program, you haven't indicated who you'll choose as your official mate."

My stomach churned at his words. I turned to Nathaniel, who was deliberately avoiding my gaze.

"Any insights, Nathaniel?" I asked.

"No concrete information," he replied carefully. "But I suspect it aligns with what Orion just mentioned."

"Damn board," I muttered under my breath, then led the way into the conference room.

I understood why the board was pressuring me. The Silver Moon Group needed stability and a clear succession plan. But I wasn't completely ready to formalize a relationship with anyone.

As I entered the conference room, everyone immediately stood in respect. I nodded for them to sit and made my way to the head of the table. Security personnel stood at every corner of the room. Orion and Nathaniel took their seats on my left and right. The board members sat around the long table, their expressions serious yet expectant.

I cleared my throat. "I'm curious to know the reason the board called this formal meeting," I said, my voice calm but authoritative.

The chairman of the board leaned forward. "Mr. Silverwood, we're here to discuss an issue... a rumor that has been circulating within the company for several weeks now... one that doesn't seem to be dying down anytime soon." The other board members nodded in agreement.

I noticed both Nathaniel and Orion seemed to already understand what the board was referring to. And if I was honest with myself, so did I.

"What rumor?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"Regarding a girl in the Moon Alliance Program named Isolde," the chairman elaborated. "Word has it that you've spent your nights exclusively with her for the past few weeks, which is unusual for you. You've taken her out multiple times, and your attitude toward her is noticeably different compared to the other girls in the program."

I gestured for him to continue. "Go on. I want to hear it all."

"It makes us wonder if she's the one you've chosen," the chairman concluded.

The back of my neck grew hot, and I couldn't help but flinch slightly. They wanted to know if Isolde was my mate. If only they knew she was already the one chosen by fate.

Another board member sitting to the left spoke up. "Mr. Silverwood, please don't misunderstand us... it's been a long time since anyone has seen you deeply involved with any woman since you lost your true mate... but since this girl arrived, your behavior has been noticeably different... that's why we felt it necessary to ask you directly if she's the chosen one."

I leaned back in my chair, scanning each board member with a scrutinizing gaze. Some lowered their heads, unable to meet my eyes.

I sighed heavily.

Another board member spoke up. "Sir... we need a Luna. We need an heir. We just want to know if she's the chosen one so we can get to know her better and give her the respect she deserves. That's all."

I was tired of this meeting. I signaled to Nathaniel through our internal communication to end it. He immediately stood up and began escorting the board members out of the room.

Once only Orion and I remained, I rubbed my temples and sighed deeply. The board's words echoed in my mind, and I felt utterly lost.

"You know you'll have to give them an answer eventually, right?" Orion reminded me.

I groaned in frustration at this reality. I loved Isolde and wanted to be with her, but I couldn't let the board know she was my destined mate. There were compelling reasons for that.

"I know," I replied out loud.

"So, is she the one?" Orion asked directly, looking me in the eyes, patiently waiting for my answer.

I trusted Orion more than I trusted myself sometimes. I could tell him any secret, and he would take it to his grave.

"My relationship with Isolde isn't of that nature," I lied, the words feeling like a thousand daggers piercing my heart.

I motioned for Orion to leave.

Once alone, Prime's voice returned. *How long are you going to keep this up?*

"Keep what up?" I asked mentally.

*Denying that you love Isolde and want an official, public relationship with her.*

"I'm not denying anything, Prime. You know how much I love Isolde. How much I want to be with her."

*Then what's stopping you from claiming her?*

"Fear!" I screamed internally.

"If I officially confirm my relationship with Isolde, there's no going back," I explained. "I'm afraid she'll be taken away from me. Remember Lillian, our deceased mate? If I publicly announce Isolde as our mate, I fear the same people who took Lillian will take her too." Prime fell silent, and I knew he understood my concerns.

I thought about Lillian—how unnaturally she had died. The cause wasn't clear, but it was certainly not ordinary. I believed the same forces were still lurking within Silver Moon Tower, waiting for me to announce Isolde as my mate so they could take her from me again.

If I lost a second mate, I would completely break down. When Lillian died, I was already on the verge of a mental breakdown.

*You have reason to be paranoid,* Prime admitted. *But the truth is, you'll eventually need to let people know about Isolde. Hiding her like this will only create more problems.*

"When she's ready, I'll tell her what she needs to know," I decided. "When I feel the time is right, I'll introduce her to the public. When I'm confident I can protect her from harm. Right now, I need to keep her under my protection. I need to shield her as much as possible, even if it hurts her and me in the process. It's best for all four of us—you, me, Isolde, and her wolf. Sometimes, Prime, ignorance is bliss."