Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 158

EZRA'S POV

Walking away from the detention cell was one of the hardest things I'd ever done. Her completely disheveled hair. Her face, red as a tomato and covered in tears. Her watery eyes and trembling lips. The look of desperation on her face.

I made my way through the corridor, my jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. The security personnel stationed throughout the detention area averted their eyes as I passed.

I found Orion waiting near the entrance, his expression grim.

"Where are they?" I demanded, not bothering with pleasantries.

Orion immediately opened a bulletproof door and pointed inside. "In there, boss. Everyone's accounted for."

My eyes flashed gold for a brief moment, revealing the wolf stirring just beneath my skin. Orion noticed but said nothing.

"You'll be joining me," I said, and he nodded.

I stepped in. Two girls—one with red hair, the other with brown—were already seated inside. These were the ones who had accused Isolde of poisoning them to win the fights.

There was a metal table in the center and four high-end leather chairs. The girls were seated on one side, looking extremely nervous.

They were part of this plot to frame Isolde. They knew who was behind the entire scheme, and I was going to extract that name from their lips.

The girls straightened immediately when they saw me. Their fear was palpable as they chorused, "Mr. Silverwood."

They lowered their heads, unable to meet my furious and indignant glare.

I despised their synchronized, fake respect.

Taking a seat across from them, with Orion beside me, I began my interrogation. "You claim that Isolde poisoned your food so she could easily win the fighting matches."

The redhead replied with conviction, "It's not a claim, sir. It's a fact."

Orion's fingers tapped lightly on the table, and I could tell he wanted nothing more than to smash her mouth in. His anger was evident, though he was controlling it well.

"How are you so certain it was Isolde who poisoned you?" I asked.

The brown-haired girl spoke up, "I felt weak during my fight with her. I couldn't stand properly. Everything was spinning, and I couldn't punch effectively. My body wasn't responding to my commands." She paused, swallowing hard. "After the match, I rushed to the locker room bathroom and threw up. Another contestant also came in vomiting, and we realized we had the same symptoms and had both fought against Isolde. We asked other participants if they experienced similar issues, but no one else did."

"So," I said, my voice calm but threatening, "Isolde poisoned you to advance to the finals. Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes, sir," they both affirmed.

"Who was the most obvious finalist in the women's division?" I asked.

The brown-haired girl hesitated. "Um... Evanthe?" Then with more certainty: "Yes. Evanthe. She's the strongest female warrior in Silver Moon Group. She was everyone's obvious pick for the finals."

"Everyone including Isolde, correct?" I confirmed, and she nodded.

"Have you heard any rumors about Evanthe being poisoned like you were?" I inquired.

The redhead gave a light chuckle. "No. Of course not! Isolde wouldn't dare do that!"

"I see," I said.

They didn't realize I was backing them into a corner.

I leaned forward, my brow furrowing as my expression shifted from calm to furious. My hands planted firmly on the table as I leaned in.

"So let me get this straight. You're telling me that Isolde knew Evanthe would be a finalist, but she didn't poison Evanthe, instead she poisoned you two so she could win the matches and advance to the finals to face a healthy, strong Evanthe, who happens to be the strongest female werewolf warrior in Silver Moon Group? Does that make any sense to you?"

I paused to let my words sink in.

"I'm asking you a question."

The girls' faces instantly drained of color. They looked at each other, panic evident in their eyes.

"Herbs!" the brown-haired girl blurted out. "We also identified her because of the herbs. Suspicious herbs were found in her locker!"

"Before the herbs were discovered in her locker, you were already sent to the hospital," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "How did you know about herbs in her locker before then?"

The blood seemed to drain from their faces completely. They turned ghost-white, their eyes widening with fear.

Orion smiled with satisfaction.

"I... we..." the redhead stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Who put you up to this?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin. "Who orchestrated this entire scheme? Tell me now, and perhaps I'll be merciful."

The girls exchanged terrified glances, their breathing becoming rapid and shallow.

Suddenly the door swung open.

Evanthe stood in the doorway. "Ezra, darling, what's going on here? I heard you were interrogating these poor girls."

I straightened slowly, my eyes never leaving the two accusers who now looked like they'd seen a ghost.

"Evanthe," I said coldly, "your timing is... interesting."

Her smile faltered slightly. "I was concerned when I heard about this unofficial interrogation."

I turned to fully face her, noting how the two girls seemed to shrink in their seats, their eyes darting between Evanthe and me.

"We'll continue this discussion," I told them firmly. "Don't go anywhere."

I gestured for Orion to stay with them as I stepped outside with Evanthe, closing the door behind us.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, my voice deceptively calm.

"I'm doing my job, Ezra. These accusations against Isolde are serious. We need to handle them properly, through official channels."

"Like the channels that put her in detention without evidence?" I challenged.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "There is evidence. The herbs in her locker, the testimonies—"

"Planted evidence," I cut her off. "And coached testimonies."

Evanthe's expression hardened. "You seem very convinced of her innocence. Why is that, I wonder?"

I stepped closer, towering over her. "Because I know when I'm being manipulated, Evanthe. And right now, every instinct I have tells me someone is trying to eliminate Isolde. Someone who feels threatened by her."

"And you think that someone is me?" Her laugh was brittle. "Why would I feel threatened by that... nobody?"

"That's what I intend to find out," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And if I discover you had anything to do with this, Evanthe, no one will be able to protect you."

Her confident facade cracked just slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features.

I didn't answer directly. "Return to your office, Evanthe. This is my investigation now."

She hesitated, clearly wanting to argue further, but something in my expression must have warned her against it. With a stiff nod, she turned and walked away.

I watched her go, my mind racing. Evanthe's unexpected appearance had confirmed my suspicions. She was involved in this somehow. But I needed proof—irrefutable evidence that would clear Isolde's name and expose the true culprit.

As I reached for the door handle to return to the interrogation, my phone vibrated. A message from Nathaniel:

"Security footage from the catering area has been tampered with. Original backup found. You need to see this."