Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 161

Sybilla's POV

I was escorted into a dimly lit interrogation room in the basement of Silver Moon Tower by a security guard who hadn't spoken a single word to me since my forceful removal from my bedroom. My hands were bound with electronic cuffs, the cold metal digging uncomfortably into my wrists. I had absolutely no idea what was happening, and the uncertainty was making my anxiety skyrocket.

"Why hasn't anyone told me what's going on?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear crawling up my spine. The guard remained silent. "I have rights, you know. I'm Alaric Blackwood's daughter!"

One hour ago they burst into my room at the Alliance Residence without warning. They'd given me no explanation, just ordered me to follow them immediately. Before I knew it, I was being transported to the basement detention area of Silver Moon headquarters like some common criminal.

"Sit down," the guard commanded coldly. I quickly complied, not wanting to antagonize him further.

The room was almost completely dark and unnaturally cold. A single metal table with chairs on opposite sides was the only furniture.

Why the hell was I arrested?

My mind immediately jumped to the sabotage plan Evanthe and I had orchestrated. Could this possibly be related? But Evanthe had assured me repeatedly that "even if the plan fails, they can't possibly trace it back to us. All traces have been erased." She had connections in security who had supposedly taken care of everything.

I looked up at the security guard standing by the door, desperation creeping into my voice. "Please... I'm literally begging you now. Tell me what's happening."

He finally deigned to respond. "You'll know soon enough." I stopped pressing, impatiently tapping my foot against the floor as I waited, the sound echoing in the sparse room.

Minutes later, the door opened. A security officer entered first, quickly surveying the room before stepping aside. My heart nearly stopped when Ezra walked in, his powerful presence immediately filling the small space. The Alpha aura he exuded made the air feel thick and hard to breathe.

Every cell in my body seemed to freeze. I quickly stood and offered a small bow, trying to appear respectful and innocent. "Good afternoon, Mr. Silverwood." He didn't acknowledge my greeting, his cold gray eyes looking through me rather than at me.

"Everyone out," Ezra commanded, his voice low and authoritative. The security personnel immediately exited, closing the door behind them with an ominous click.

My heart was practically leaping out of my chest as I found myself alone with the Lycan King.

"Look at me," Ezra ordered.

I raised my head, meeting his gaze. That eternal cold expression on his face told me this was definitely not good news. His jaw was clenched tight, and a muscle twitched near his temple—signs of barely contained anger that made my wolf Vixen whimper and retreat deep within me.

*Stay calm,* I told myself. *Just act innocent. He can't possibly know anything for sure.*

I suspected this had something to do with the poisoning and framing incident, but how could they possibly have discovered my involvement? Evanthe had guaranteed that all surveillance footage had been doctored. If this was exposed, my life was completely over.

"What did Isolde ever do to make you hate her so much?" Ezra asked, his voice dangerously quiet.

My heart sank to the floor. This was absolutely, without a doubt, about the framing plan. But how could they have traced it back to me? My palms began to sweat, and I could feel panic rising in my throat.

My thoughts raced in panic as I tried to formulate some kind of defense.

"When I ask you a question, I expect an immediate answer," Ezra repeated, his voice dropping even lower, becoming more menacing. I dug my nails so deeply into my palms that I was sure I'd drawn blood.

I mentally listed all the reasons I hated Isolde: she was the legitimate daughter, she was father's firstborn, she had impressive fighting skills, and she was better than me in every way that mattered. But I couldn't tell Ezra that—speaking ill of her to him would be like signing my own death warrant.

"I... um... I don't hate Isolde," I lied pathetically, my voice coming out higher than normal.

Ezra's eyes flashed gold, and he let out a low, threatening growl that made my blood run cold. The sound reverberated through the small room, and I felt my wolf Vixen curl into a ball of submission.

"I... I hate her because she was my father's favorite child," I quickly amended, deciding partial truth was better than obvious lies. "He always gave her special attention and treatment just because her mother was his legal wife. I hated her for that."

Ezra's expression darkened further, his face transforming into something truly terrifying. "Enough to want her publicly executed for crimes she didn't commit?"

My jaw practically hit the floor. My eyebrows shot up in shock, and my eyes widened to their limits. *Fuck. They know everything.*

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," I stammered weakly, but even I didn't believe my denial.

"Don't play innocent in this matter, Sybilla. We have concrete evidence," Ezra stated flatly. "You orchestrated the poisoning of Isolde's opponent in the arena and attempted to poison the Alphas who came to watch the match, intending to frame Isolde. Your plan failed."

I was completely stunned into silence, unable to form a single coherent word. My mind was spinning, trying to grasp how everything had fallen apart so completely.

*Evanthe promised me she had handled all the surveillance footage. Does this mean she's been caught too? This is a complete disaster.*

Ezra continued, his voice growing colder with each word. "I've been aware of your previous petty tricks against Isolde in the Moon Alliance Program. I've turned a blind eye, assuming it was just simple sisterly rivalry—stepsisters often clash. But after seeing this, I've concluded this isn't just sibling rivalry. This is pure hostility. You harbor a primal hatred for her. You will be punished accordingly for your crimes. Prepare yourself."

As Ezra turned and left the room, his tall figure and heavy footsteps became blurry in my perception.

My eyes welled up with tears, and a painful lump formed in my throat. *What terrible mess have I gotten myself into?*