Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 19

**Isolde's POV**

The cool night air caressed my face as I walked along the meticulously landscaped paths of Silver Moon Group's corporate grounds. After the humiliating encounter with Evanthe in the dining hall, I'd needed to escape. Thalia had returned to our shared quarters, but I couldn't bear the thought of being confined between four walls right now.

The memory of kneeling on that polished marble floor, picking up fragments of my dinner while Evanthe and her entourage—including my smirking stepsister—watched with undisguised glee made my birthmark burn against my shoulder. I'd endured the humiliation in silence, knowing that any retaliation would only result in another punishment.

*We should have shown her our teeth,* Lyra growled inside my mind.

"And what good would that have done?" I muttered under my breath, following the path that wound between two exquisitely designed urban gardens. Silver Moon's landscaping budget alone probably exceeded what some small companies made in a year.

The gardens were breathtaking even at night—artful lighting illuminated exotic plants and modern water features, creating an atmosphere of ethereal luxury. It was hard to reconcile this tranquil space with the cutthroat corporate jungle it decorated.

I paused beside a small reflecting pool, watching the moon's image ripple across its surface. There were still two hours before the Alliance Program's mandatory curfew. Two hours of borrowed freedom before I'd have to return to my gilded cage.

"Who's enjoying our gardens so late in the evening?" a deep voice asked from behind me.

I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. Security Director Orion Hawthorne stood a few feet away, his powerful frame silhouetted against the garden lights. How had he approached so silently? Even my enhanced werewolf hearing hadn't detected him.

"Security Director Orion," I managed, my voice steadier than I felt.

His amber eyes reflected the garden lights as his lips curved into a slight smile. "Good evening, Isolde."

"What are you... what are you doing here? At this hour?" I asked, suddenly conscious of my solitary state.

"I was just finishing up some security matters. I was heading back to my office when I spotted you." His gaze was intense but not unfriendly. "What brings you out here alone at night?"

I gestured vaguely at the surroundings. "Just wanted some fresh air before heading back to the residence. Clearing my head."

He nodded, understanding flashing across his features. "I see. Mind if I walk with you for a bit?"

I blinked in surprise. "You... want to walk with me?"

"If you don't mind the company," he replied, his tone casual yet somehow leaving little room for refusal.

I hesitated, then nodded. "I don't mind having company."

We fell into step together, following the winding path that led toward the northern water garden. The silence between us wasn't exactly uncomfortable, but it was charged with an undercurrent I couldn't quite identify.

"You're from Emerald Valley District, correct?" he asked after several moments.

"Yes," I replied, keeping my answer simple.

"Would you tell me more about your family?" His question seemed innocent enough, but something in his tone made me pause.

I stopped walking and turned to face him directly. "Why are you interested in my family background?"

He shrugged, the gesture elegant despite his powerful build. "Just curious."

I hesitated, weighing my options. I could offer vague half-truths, but what was the point? My identity wasn't exactly a secret. "What specifically would you like to know about my parents?"

"Whatever you're comfortable sharing."

I took a deep breath, making my decision. "Well, my mother is... a complicated topic I'd rather not discuss. As for my father, he was the Alpha of the Emerald Valley werewolf pack before the debt crisis."

His eyebrows raised slightly. "Truly? Alaric Blackwood is your father?"

"Yes."

"That explains quite a bit," he said, nodding thoughtfully. "No wonder you've shown such promise in the training arena. Alpha blood flows through your veins. You were meant to be part of the elite."

A humorless laugh escaped me. "That was a long time ago."

"Bloodlines always matter," he countered smoothly. "Do you have siblings?"

"A stepsister. Sybilla."

His expression remained neutral, but something flickered in his eyes. "So you would have been next in line for your family's position? Before everything changed?"

The question struck a raw nerve. I turned away, continuing our walk to hide the flash of pain I knew would show on my face. "It doesn't matter anymore. Sybilla is his favorite now. She has her mother's support and my father's devotion. And I'm here, traded away to cover his debts, waiting in line for my turn to serve men..." 

He went silent.

My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly, the sound embarrassingly obvious in the quiet garden. I hadn't eaten since lunch, thanks to Evanthe's display of dominance in the dining hall.

"Was that your stomach protesting?" Orion asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I didn't answer, my cheeks warming with embarrassment.

"You haven't had dinner?" he pressed.

"No. There was an... incident in the dining hall."

"You could go back and get another meal. The corporate cafeteria serves around the clock for employees."

I bit my tongue to keep from explaining that returning to the dining hall after Evanthe had publicly humiliated me was the last thing I wanted to do.

"Come," he said decisively. "I'll take you somewhere to eat."

"That's not necessary," I protested. "I can just return to the residence—"

"No," he cut me off firmly. "As Security Director of Silver Moon Group, I cannot allow one of our Alliance members to go hungry. It's a matter of your wellbeing, especially given your active participation in combat training."

"The company cafeteria is probably closing up by now."

"There are plenty of excellent restaurants downtown. I know a good place that serves late."

I shook my head. "Alliance Program rules state we can't leave the corporate grounds after ten o'clock."

We had reached a sleek black SUV parked in an executive lane. Orion turned to me, his expression confident.

"Isolde, I am the Security Director of Silver Moon Group. Some rules can be... flexible when necessary. And you're with me—there won't be any issues."

He opened the passenger door of his vehicle with a courteous gesture that nonetheless held an air of command. "Please, get in," he said, his voice low and firm.

I stared at the open door, suddenly uncertain. This was an unexpected development. On one hand, I was wary of breaking the strict Alliance Program rules. On the other, I was hungry, and refusing the Security Director's direct invitation seemed unwise.

I studied his face—the determined set of his jaw, the polite but unyielding posture. His expression made it clear this wasn't truly a request.

Carefully, I slid into the passenger seat, the butter-soft leather enveloping me in luxury I hadn't experienced since leaving my father's mansion.

As he closed the door and walked around to the driver's side, one thought dominated my mind: I prayed Evanthe and the other Alliance girls would never discover this impromptu outing. If they did, my already difficult situation would become unbearable.