Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 170

ISOLDE'S POV

"Thank you very much for arranging the dinner, Ms. Una. The food was truly exceptional," I said, watching the staff clear away the last of our dinner plates from Ezra's penthouse dining table.

Una gave me a polite nod. "You're welcome. I'll pass your compliments to the chef team."

As she supervised the staff finishing their work, I settled into the plush leather couch in the living area. A rare feeling of contentment washed over me. After everything we'd been through, the fact that Ezra and I had reached some kind of reconciliation felt almost surreal. Yet here I was, relaxing in his penthouse after a peaceful dinner together.

Ezra emerged from the master bathroom wearing casual loungewear that somehow still looked ridiculously expensive on him. He settled beside me on the couch, close enough that I could smell his fresh shower scent - a masculine blend of cedar and something uniquely him.

"What's that smile about?" he asked, his eyes tracking my expression.

I hadn't even realized I was smiling. The transition from enemies to whatever we were now still felt strange, but in the best possible way.

*You're happy,* Lyra observed in my mind. *We both are.*

Ezra tilted his head, studying my face with those intense gray eyes. "Your cheeks are always flushed. Have you never seen a man like me before?" His tone was playful, teasing.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I don't recall saying anything funny. And that annoying question of yours. Don't be too full of yourself, Mr. CEO."

"'Annoying' isn't the right word to describe your boyfriend," Ezra said casually.

I nearly choked. "Boyfriend?"

"Yes," he replied with complete seriousness. "What else would I be to you?"

The laughter bubbled up before I could stop it. "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you intentionally. It just sounds funny. You, the CEO of Silver Moon Group, the Lycan King, a 'boyfriend.' The term seems too ordinary for someone like you."

Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

I leaned closer, my voice softening. "Yes. It's my honor to have you as my boyfriend."

"Say it again," he demanded, "but mean it this time."

I moved forward and placed a light kiss on his lips. "My dear Alpha Ezra, it's my honor to have you as my boyfriend."

He frowned slightly. "That kiss was too quick."

"Stop complaining," I murmured, but my heart wasn't in the admonishment. I missed this feeling. God, I missed this feeling so much.

We adjusted our positions on the wide leather couch, still facing each other. Ezra's expression suddenly shifted, becoming more curious.

"Tell me, did you have any other boyfriends before me?" he asked abruptly.

I nearly choked on my own saliva, raising my eyebrows in surprise. "Why do you suddenly want to know that?"

Ezra shrugged, trying to appear casual. "No particular reason, I'm just... I'm just curious."

I nodded slowly, memories rising to the surface. "Yes... I had one. His name was Kieran."

The image of Kieran flashed in my mind, but surprisingly, I felt nothing. No pain, no anger, no lingering resentment. Just emptiness where hurt used to live.

"But it ended badly because he betrayed me," I added, my voice steadier than I expected.

Ezra's expression grew more attentive, a hint of concern appearing in his eyes. "Betrayed you?" he asked calmly. "What happened exactly?"

I hesitated for a moment, weighing whether to share this part of my past. But looking at Ezra's genuinely interested expression, I made my decision.

*Fuck it! She should have thought about the consequences before sleeping with my boyfriend.*

"He cheated on me with my stepsister Sybilla," I said bluntly.

Ezra's eyes widened in shock, his mouth slightly open. "No way!"

I nodded confirmation. "Yes. Not once, not twice... many times."

"How did you find out?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.

"I caught them in the act, in Sybilla's bedroom at my father's mansion in Emerald Valley District," I explained, surprised by how little emotion the memory now evoked. It was as if I were describing something that happened to someone else entirely.

"That's outrageous!" Ezra's jaw tightened, genuine anger flashing in his eyes. "What was his explanation? Please tell me you confronted him."

"Of course I did," I replied. "He gave me two reasons. First, I wouldn't sleep with him." I paused, watching Ezra's expression darken further. "And second, he knew Sybilla was my father's favorite child and would likely inherit the family business and control of Emerald Valley District someday."

"That despicable bastard!" Ezra spat, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "How dare he play such a dirty game? Did he think power and position could be gained through such connections? The Moon Goddess doesn't favor such people."

I gave a small laugh, appreciating his outrage on my behalf. "Yes, the Moon Goddess is fair. Ironically, I discovered his betrayal with my stepsister on the same day Beta Nathaniel came to pick up Sybilla and me for the 'Moon Alliance Program.' Now all his hopes of gaining status through Sybilla are gone. Pathetic guy."

Ezra's eyes were still blazing with anger. "He used you and your stepsister for his own selfish purposes. Men like that deserve nothing but misery."

"It doesn't matter anymore," I said with a shrug. "I'm over it. Actually, I'm surprised by how little I feel about it now. It used to hurt so much, but now..." I trailed off, realizing the wound had completely healed without me noticing.

"Now you have me," Ezra said, his voice softening as he reached out to touch my hand. "And I would never betray you like that."

The sincerity in his eyes made my heart skip. I smiled, intertwining my fingers with his. "I know."

"What happened to him?" Ezra asked. "This Kieran person."

"Last I heard, he was still trying to crawl his way up in Emerald Valley's business circles. Not very successfully though," I replied. "Why? Planning to crush him for me?" I added jokingly.

Ezra's smile didn't reach his eyes. "The thought had crossed my mind."

I laughed, but then realized he might actually be serious. "That's not necessary. He's not worth your time or attention." I squeezed his hand. "Besides, looking back, I should thank him. If not for his betrayal, I might have ended up marrying someone who didn't truly value me."

"His loss," Ezra said simply. "My gain."