Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 193

Evanthe's POV

Several hours later, I smoothed down my designer skirt, feeling the luxurious fabric beneath my fingertips as I surveyed the Silver Moon Group's executive meeting room. The space exuded power—polished mahogany table, leather chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a commanding view of the city skyline. Five distinguished men in tailored suits sat waiting, their expressions grave.

I frowned slightly, leaning towards my father. "Only five elders? I expected more," I whispered, unable to hide the concern in my voice.

"Five is enough," my father assured me, his tone confident. "These are the most influential voices on the council. If they speak, Alpha Ezra will be forced to listen, regardless of how stubborn he can be."

An assistant entered silently, serving premium coffee in bone china cups and arranging delicate pastries before slipping out. The room fell into tense silence as everyone sipped their drinks. My heart hammered against my ribs, and I offered a silent prayer that these elders weren't too loyal to Ezra. If they were, this entire plan would collapse before it began.

*They must side with us,* Selena whispered in my mind. *Everything depends on it.*

My father finally cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Gentlemen, you're undoubtedly curious why I've called such an urgent meeting."

Elder Nash, the eldest among them with silver hair and sharp eyes, set down his cup. "Indeed. Particularly given Silver Moon's critical acquisition of Emerald Valley assets currently underway."

My father nodded, carefully placing his coffee cup on the saucer with a soft clink. "What we need to discuss is extremely sensitive." He glanced meaningfully at me.

I felt their eyes turn to me, and I nervously adjusted the collar of my custom-tailored suit. The fabric felt suddenly tight around my throat.

"My daughter is pregnant," my father announced bluntly. "Ezra Silverwood is the father."

My heartbeat accelerated. The elders' reactions were immediate—Elder Nash choked on his coffee, Elder Jace calmly set his cup down with calculated control, while the other three stared at me with widened eyes, flashing momentarily gold as their wolves reacted to the news.

"That's impossible," one elder exclaimed. "We just received word that he's found his second chance mate in the Moon Alliance Program."

My father leaned forward intently. "Precisely. Ezra has identified a potential mate, yet he's maintained an intimate relationship with my daughter and gotten her pregnant."

The room erupted in shocked murmurs. I watched carefully, assessing which elders seemed sympathetic versus skeptical.

"Gentlemen," my father continued, "I believe we need to consider what's best for Silver Moon Group. My daughter isn't just beautiful and intelligent—she's our PR Director and, most importantly, a high-ranking Lycan descendant."

My father's voice took on a passionate tone. "Ezra and Evanthe grew up together in Silver Moon. Yet he chooses an ordinary werewolf as his mate and future Luna? In the history of our werewolf business empire, we've never had an ordinary werewolf serve as Luna to manage our global assets."

The elders exchanged troubled glances as my father spoke from the position of an injured father and former executive.

"I believe it's a significant departure from our traditions. I hope we can unite and present Alpha Ezra with compelling business and traditional arguments. I hope we can convince him to reconsider that Emerald Valley girl in favor of my daughter—not just because of their long-term relationship, but because she's better suited to be Luna than that weak werewolf."

When my father finished, an uncomfortable silence filled the room. I anxiously observed the elders, terrified that if they disagreed and reported back to Ezra, my family would lose everything for this betrayal.

My father gave me a stern look, prompting me to speak. I tucked a strand of my perfect blonde hair behind my ear, arranging my features into a carefully practiced expression of sorrow.

"I'd like to say something," I said, my voice deliberately soft. Elder Nash motioned for me to continue.

"This child I'm carrying will be Ezra's firstborn. The heir to Silver Moon Group. Our future Lycan King or Queen." I lowered my eyes, the picture of maternal concern. "I'm not doing this for myself. I'm doing it for this child... this Lycan who's so crucial to our future. I don't insist Ezra marry me. He can maintain his freedom. I only want to ensure that the future Alpha of our pack receives the position and education they deserve."

I glanced up through my lashes. "We all know the risks of outsiders entering the family. I just want what's best for the child and our company."

I bowed my head, pretending to adjust my diamond bracelet while inwardly lamenting that I couldn't produce actual tears for added effect.

Elder Nash was the first to respond, his face flushed with indignation. "This is outrageous! If he impregnated you, he must take responsibility! You're carrying his child—the heir to Silver Moon! Our future Alpha. He must accept you, the mother of his child, not that background-less werewolf he's chosen. I've opposed his match with that girl since I first heard the rumors!"

The other elders nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with Elder Nash's assessment, their eyes occasionally flashing gold—a sign their wolves were equally agitated by the situation.

I struggled to contain my excitement. Selena growled with satisfaction in my mind.

My father pressed his advantage. "You all know how stubborn Ezra can be. He listens to no one, but if the five of you present strong arguments, he'll have to reconsider."

He reminded them "I am no longer an executive and couldn't attend Alpha council meetings," then appealed to them to advocate for me to preserve our family honor. "We need a Luna like Evanthe who understands our operations, not an outsider."

"Don't worry," Elder Jace replied confidently. "We'll go directly from here to speak with Ezra about this matter. We've been looking for the right opportunity to express our concerns about his choice, and this provides the perfect moment. We won't waste it."

Hope surged through my chest. Selena nearly howled with triumph within me.

Elder Nash added, "I believe he's kept this pregnancy secret because if the council and major shareholders knew, they would insist he choose you over that Isolde girl. We must ensure this is handled properly."

My smile grew more confident. I admired how my father had orchestrated the entire situation, subtly manipulating the elders just as I had manipulated the Moon Alliance girls. He had set the stage perfectly.

*Let the games begin,* I thought.