Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 174

ISOLDE'S POV

Thalia's green eyes widened, her mouth forming a perfect O of surprise before breaking into a broad smile. She sat up straighter in her bed, the sheets pooling around her waist.

"He really invited you to move into the Silver Moon Tower penthouse?" she asked, her voice rising with excitement. "Isolde, do you realize what this means? Ezra is serious about your relationship. You could very well become Silver Moon Group's next Luna!"

I nodded, unable to suppress the smile that tugged at my lips despite my conflicted feelings. "I know. It's... overwhelming."

But my smile quickly faded as I looked around our shared living space, the place that had become my sanctuary in this hostile environment. "But moving in with Ezra means leaving you behind. You'll be alone here." I gestured around us. "In this environment full of enemies, I'm worried you'll be isolated and vulnerable."

Thalia's expression softened at my concern, confirming what I already knew in my heart: she was truly the only person here who genuinely cared about my wellbeing rather than just their own interests.

To my surprise, Thalia's cheeks suddenly flushed pink. She tucked a few loose strands of her hair behind her ear, her green eyes flickering with an unusual light. Her typically straightforward demeanor had transformed into something shy and hesitant.

I frowned, confused by this uncharacteristic behavior. Thalia was never one to be coy or evasive. Something significant must have happened.

"What is it?" I asked, suddenly alert. Lyra stirred within me, equally attentive.

Thalia bit her lip, looking down at her hands before meeting my gaze again. "There's something you should know. I was planning to tell you when the time was right."

I leaned forward, sensing this was important. "You're making me nervous. What's going on?"

Thalia took a deep breath, a smile breaking across her face like sunshine after rain. "I found my mate," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I froze, my jaw dropping in shock. For a moment, I couldn't process her words. Then the reality hit me like a tidal wave, and pure joy surged through my body. I launched myself at her, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

"Oh my God! That's amazing!" I squealed, pulling back to look at her face, which was now glowing with happiness. Tears sprang to both our eyes. "I might just pass out from excitement for you right now."

Thalia laughed through her tears, gripping my hands tightly.

"Congratulations!" I continued, my words tumbling out in a rush of emotion. "Words can't express how happy I am for you. Finding your mate in this cruel werewolf world is the greatest blessing anyone could hope for."

"Who is he?" I asked eagerly, wiping away a stray tear. "Someone from Silver Moon? Do I know him?"

"It's an executive from Silver Moon Group, someone you know," Thalia replied, her eyes shining with emotion.

Suddenly, her composure broke completely. Tears streamed down her face as overwhelming emotion took hold. I squeezed her hands reassuringly, giving her time to collect herself.

"It's Orion," she finally blurted out. "My mate is Orion Hawthorne."

I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth. "Orion? The security director?"

Fresh tears of joy sprang to my eyes. "This news couldn't be more perfect! You and Orion are both people I trust most, and now you're mates!"

Thalia laughed, wiping away her own tears. The happiness radiating from her was almost tangible, her entire being glowing with it.

"When did you find out?" I asked, still trying to process this wonderful development.

"Just last night," she replied. "We ran into each other at the training center. When our eyes met, we both felt that irresistible connection. It was... bone-deep. I nearly collapsed."

She tucked her hair behind her ear again, a habit when she was feeling shy. "He's asked me to move in with him too. Orion said he couldn't let his mate stay in the Moon Alliance Program for another day, especially after what Evanthe did to you."

I nodded, understanding perfectly. "Orion is a good man. He'll protect you."

A weight lifted from my shoulders, knowing Thalia wouldn't be left alone and vulnerable. The thought of her with Orion, someone I respected and trusted, brought me immense relief.

"Who would have thought," Thalia mused, shaking her head in wonder, "that the two most unpopular girls in the Moon Alliance Program would end up with the most powerful men in Silver Moon Group?"

I laughed at the irony of it all. "The Moon Goddess made us suffer at first, only to pair us with our destined ones. We've been blessed in her eyes."

Thalia's smile faltered slightly. "The only problem now is Evanthe. She's Orion's sister. She's going to absolutely lose her mind when she hears about this."

"Don't let Evanthe intimidate you," I said firmly. "She may be Orion's sister, but you're his mate. That bond trumps everything else."

Thalia's expression hardened with determination. "I won't let anyone, including Evanthe, ruin what Orion and I have."

The fierce certainty in her voice made me smile. The shy, reserved Thalia I'd first met had grown stronger, more confident. Love had transformed her, just as it had changed me.

"Since we're both moving in with our men," Thalia suggested, her eyes brightening with mischief, "why don't we spend today together? We can do whatever we want now, as long as it doesn't break any rules or laws."

"That sounds perfect," I agreed enthusiastically. "Let's get dressed and take a car into the city. We'll hit the best restaurants and shopping centers. I can use Ezra's private driver and fleet now. Cade will take us anywhere we want."

Thalia squealed with excitement, jumping off the bed. "Let's paint the town red! Show all those who looked down on us exactly where we stand now!"

We both laughed as we rushed to the closet, the joy of our shared good fortune filling the room with light and warmth.

As I rifled through my clothes, I couldn't help thinking: *After everything we've been through, we've finally found the happiness we deserve. And this is just the beginning.*