Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 141

EZRA'S POV

I was surprised to see Orion waiting outside the main entrance of Silver Moon Headquarters, his tall frame rigid with formality. This was unusual—he typically met me inside or sent reports digitally.

"Good morning, Alpha Ezra," Orion bowed slightly in greeting, his expression carefully neutral.

I raised an eyebrow. "What's with the welcoming committee?"

"The board members are waiting in your office, sir." His tone was measured, professional.

This caught my attention immediately. "Who specifically?"

"Elder Nash and Elder Jace."

I couldn't hide my surprise. "What the hell are they doing here so early?"

"They've been waiting for over an hour already," Orion explained. "Since seven o'clock."

I checked my watch—8:15 AM. My jaw tightened involuntarily. The elders represented the traditional faction within our pack structure. Their early arrival suggested something significant was brewing.

"This should be interesting," I muttered, more to myself than to Orion.

We walked together to the private elevator, the tension following us into the confined space. As the doors closed, Orion turned to me.

"Will you see them, sir?"

I let out a short, humorless laugh. "I don't want to, but I must. I'm not about to risk the Moon Goddess's wrath by refusing to meet with pack elders."

Orion chuckled lightly, but his eyes remained serious. Something in his expression made me wonder if he knew more than he was letting on.

The elevator climbed swiftly to the top floor where my office occupied the entire east wing. As the doors opened, Orion remained behind.

"If you need any assistance, please let me know," he said, his voice lowered. "Good luck."

I nodded, straightening my already impeccable suit jacket. "If I'm not out in an hour, assume I've killed them both and need help with the bodies."

Orion's lips twitched. "I'll have cleaning supplies ready."

As I approached my office, I could sense the elders before I saw them—their scents carried notes of age, power, and entitlement. I steeled myself, pushing away the irritation already building in my chest.

*They dare summon us like common subordinates,* Prime growled in my mind. *Show them who rules this territory.*

I entered the office with measured steps, my face a mask of cool indifference. The two elders rose immediately from the seating area, bowing deeply.

Nash, the older of the two with silver hair and sharp eyes, spoke first. "Alpha Ezra, thank you for granting us this audience."

Jace, slightly younger but no less traditional, nodded in agreement. Both wore expensive suits that couldn't quite hide their wolf-like posture—backs too straight, shoulders too square, ready to either submit or challenge depending on how this meeting progressed.

I gestured for them to sit. "What honor brings two respected elders to my office at this hour?"

I settled into my chair, deliberately relaxed, projecting the confidence of an Alpha who had better things to do but was graciously making time for them.

Nash cleared his throat, his expression grave. "Alpha Ezra, we have very important matters to discuss with you."

I leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "I'm all ears, Elder Nash."

"It concerns the rumors... about Isolde being chosen as your second mate."

My interest piqued instantly. I had expected some tedious pack business or complaints about territory management. This was far more entertaining.

"Ah... that," I said, allowing a hint of curiosity to color my tone. "What about it?"

*They challenge our choice of mate,* Prime snarled inside me. *Unacceptable.*

I silenced him, focusing on Nash's carefully composed expression.

"Respected Alpha," Nash began, his tone measured. "In our humble opinion, if you are to choose a mate, a girl who will become the Luna of our pack, she should be a Lycan girl, not a common werewolf."

I sat up straighter, my eyes sharpening as I stared directly at Nash. The elder shifted uncomfortably under my gaze.

Jace, apparently feeling the need to support his colleague, added, "Lycans are superior to werewolves, Alpha Ezra. Werewolf females are weak and lack leadership qualities. The pack might not obey her. Isolde won't make a good Luna." He paused, then continued with what he clearly thought was helpful advice. "You should choose a Lycan girl."

Anger flared in my chest, hot and immediate. Who were they to judge who was worthy of being my mate? Who was worthy of leading alongside me?

I kept my expression controlled, but inside, my fury was building. These elders were essentially telling me that the woman I had chosen—my mate—was inadequate. Not because of her character or abilities, but because of her birth.

"I think I may have... misunderstood the purpose of the Moon Alliance Program," I said slowly, my voice deceptively calm.

Both elders looked at me with confusion.

"I'm going to terminate the Moon Alliance Program immediately. All the girls will be sent back, and I will personally punish every elder involved in planning it, since you failed to explain its true purpose correctly."

Their eyes widened in shock and fear. Nash's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

"Alpha Ezra, what do you mean?" he finally managed to ask, his voice trembling slightly.

I leaned forward, my gaze cold. "Let me ask you something. What is the main purpose of the Moon Alliance Program?"

The elders exchanged bewildered glances.

Nash stammered, "To... to select girls from werewolf families to join the Moon Alliance and serve Lycan males."

"And what's special about this year's program?" I pressed.

Jace answered quickly, "You can choose a mate from among these girls."

I shot them a hostile glare, and they visibly recoiled. They knew what was coming.

"Let me get this straight," I said, sighing heavily. "When I initially refused to host the Moon Alliance Program, you elders insisted. I listened to your advice. Now that I've taken interest in one of the girls, you're telling me I shouldn't choose her because she's a werewolf, not a Lycan." My voice grew harder with each word. "What exactly do you elders want from me?"

The scent of fear intensified in the room. Good. They should be afraid.

Nash attempted to salvage the situation. "We just believe Lycan females would make better Lunas. They're stronger, braver, have leadership qualities, while werewolves are inferior to us—"

"Say one more disparaging word about werewolves," I cut in, my voice deadly quiet, "and I'll cut off your head and mount it on a spike outside your family home for all to see."

The color drained from their faces. Jace looked like he'd seen a ghost, and Nash seemed ready to disappear into his chair.

"Look at me, both of you," I commanded.

They raised their eyes reluctantly to meet mine.

"I will choose whoever I want as my mate. Whether Lycan or werewolf. Anyone. And you will accept her, respect her, and she will rule over all of you. Do you understand?"

They nodded quickly, fear evident in their trembling forms.

"Now get out of my sight."

They couldn't leave fast enough, practically stumbling over each other in their haste to reach the door. As it closed behind them, I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile.