Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 157

ISOLDE'S POV

The cold concrete of the detention cell seeped through my clothes as I sat with my back against the wall. My heart ached, my head throbbed, and tears streamed down my face. I couldn't believe this was happening—accused of poisoning not only my opponents but also the visiting Alpha gang leaders from other districts who had been invited to watch the fights.

*This can't be real. This can't be happening.*

I pulled my knees to my chest, trying to make myself as small as possible in the sterile, windowless room. The only light came from a harsh fluorescent bulb overhead that cast everything in a sickly glow.

I was going to be secretly executed, and my father would lose what little standing he had left in Emerald Valley. The thought of Alaric's disappointment and shame twisted inside me like a knife.

*It's over. Everything is over.*

My body tensed with each breath, my heart racing so fast I thought it might burst from my chest. I was going to die for a crime I didn't commit.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the hallway outside. I scrambled to my feet and rushed to the door, ready to plead my case to whoever had come. The small viewing window in the metal door revealed a face I never expected to see.

"Ezra," I whispered, shock momentarily overriding my fear.

The Lycan King stood on the other side, his expression unreadable, his gray eyes unfathomable. My stomach flipped as he stared at me, assessing every detail of my tear-stained face.

"I swear I didn't do it," I cried, pressing my hands against the cold metal door. "You know I wouldn't do something like this." My voice cracked with desperation. "Please. I'm being framed. You have to believe me."

Ezra's face remained impassive, but his eyes never left mine. "The surveillance footage shows you entering the VIP catering prep room around eleven-fifteen this morning."

I blinked in confusion. "VIP catering prep room?"

"Yes. The room where food for the Alpha clients from various districts is stored," he explained, his voice calm but his eyes scrutinizing my every reaction.

Memory flashed through my mind—a room filled with expensive food displays. "I did go into a room with fancy food. I even thought about tasting some of it." My words tumbled out. "I had no idea it was for the district Alphas."

Ezra's fingers tapped lightly against the doorframe. "What were you doing there?"

"Someone told me saying Orion wanted to meet me there, but when I arrived, he wasn't there." I tried to keep my voice steady. "Later, when Orion himself came to find me in the makeup room, I realized it had been a prank. That's the only reason I went to that room."

"So, you didn't put anything in the food." It wasn't quite a question.

"No!" I exclaimed. "I wouldn't... I..." I struggled to find the words. "I swear I would never do something like that. I'm not a killer."

Ezra's expression hardened. "What about your fighting opponents? Do you know anything about their food poisoning?" His eyes flashed dangerously in the dim light.

I felt so weak I could barely speak. I just shook my head as tears dropped to the floor.

"I don't know," I managed to say hoarsely. "Please, you have to believe me."

"I believe you," Ezra said quietly.

I was completely stunned. Even Lyra fell silent.

"I believe you," he repeated, and there was a gentleness in his tone I'd never heard before.

Sparks went off in my brain. My tears flowed more freely. I was so shocked by this incredible moment that I couldn't speak.

"Really?" I finally whispered.

"Yes," Ezra confirmed.

I smiled through my tears, relief washing over me in waves. "Thank you, Ezra. Thank you so much for believing me."

Ezra pulled out his phone and made a call. "The girls in the hospital, bring them to the underground interrogation room. And that woman who showed up at the Battle Arena accusing Isolde—bring her to me too. I'll question them personally until someone tells me the truth. Even if I have to crack open their skulls to see what's inside their minds... I'll be there shortly." His voice was cold, filled with murderous intent.

He turned back to me. "I'm going to get you out of here." His confidence and authority left no room for doubt.

I smiled, silently mouthing "thank you." Our eyes locked, and electricity passed between us. Ezra looked at me in a whole new way, his eyes flashing gold for just a moment.

"No one is allowed to come in to see you," he instructed. "Beta Nathaniel is outside ensuring that. Also, don't eat or drink anything they offer you. Whoever framed you might take extreme measures once they realize an investigation has started. We don't want history repeating itself. Understand?"

I nodded eagerly. "Perfectly clear."

Despite my hunger, I knew my life was at stake. I could endure a few hours without food. Lyra growled warily in my mind.

"Good. Hold on a little longer. I'll get you out soon." His fingertips lightly touched the metal door, as if trying to reach through it to me.

"Thank you so much, Ezra," I said again, my eyes filled with hope and something else—something new that I wasn't ready to name.

After he left, I returned to my spot against the wall and sat down, closing my eyes and breathing in the lingering scent of his presence.

*I feel so much better now. I feel alive again.* I believed that with Ezra's intervention, the truth would come out. No one would dare obstruct an investigation when the CEO of Silver Moon Group personally involved himself.

"He came for us, Lyra," I whispered to my wolf.

*Yeah,* Lyra responded. *Ezra never stopped caring about you. The mate bond isn't so easily ignored.*

I wasn't sure if what Lyra said was true, but I was incredibly happy. Ezra's involvement gave me hope that I would be cleared of these false accusations. My fingers unconsciously touched my neck, where I could still sense his scent lingering in the air.