Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 194

Ezra's POV

I was halfway through signing off on a stack of acquisition documents when Nathaniel appeared at my office door. His usual composed demeanor was replaced with something I rarely saw—anxiety.

"Alpha Ezra," he greeted, slightly bowing his head in respect. Despite our years working together, he maintained the traditional respect all Betas showed their Alphas.

I raised my eyes from the papers, immediately alert. "What's got you so unsettled, Nathaniel?"

He stepped closer to my desk, voice lowered. "I'm afraid something is brewing. I don't like it."

"Explain," I demanded, setting down my pen.

"Several of the elders are being escorted to the top floor conference room as we speak. They're claiming there's an urgent matter requiring immediate discussion." His eyes met mine. "Yet you've scheduled no such meeting."

My eyes flashed gold momentarily. "What the fuck kind of urgent matter?"

Before Nathaniel could answer, Orion burst through the door, breathing heavily as if he'd sprinted up several flights of stairs rather than taking the elevator.

"What now?" I asked, watching as my security director braced himself against the edge of my desk to catch his breath.

"My parents," he managed between breaths. "They're here. In the building. I just escorted them to the conference room myself." He straightened, regaining his composure. "They're with the elders. They're discussing my sister's... pregnancy." The last word came out with evident discomfort.

"Fuck!" I slammed my fist down on the solid oak desk. The wood cracked beneath the impact, a hairline fracture spreading across the surface. I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. The elders knew. This was a meeting aimed at me.

*They think they can corner us,* Prime growled within. *Show them who rules this pack.*

Orion shifted uncomfortably. "Alpha, if you'd like security to clear them out, just say the word. Silver Moon is your property. You don't have to tolerate this ambush."

I considered it for a moment. Having security remove them would be the easiest solution, but also the most cowardly. I was no coward.

"No," I said firmly, standing and adjusting my custom suit. "We'll attend this meeting." I straightened my cuffs, a habit when preparing for confrontation. "We'll hear what they have to say. That's what a Lycan King does."

*We never run from a challenge,* I thought.

The three of us walked toward the elevator, an air of tension surrounding us. As the doors closed, I caught my reflection in the polished metal—my face a mask of cold determination.

When we entered the conference room, I quickly counted thirteen people around the massive table. My mind automatically categorized them: three reliable supporters, ten potential opponents. The odds weren't in my favor, but that had never stopped me before.

*I'm sick of this shit,* I thought bitterly. *Sick of every decision being questioned, every personal relationship becoming public fodder.*

"I understand you've all gathered without invitation to discuss something important," I began coolly, taking my seat at the head of the table.

Mr. Hawthorne, Evanthe's father, was the first to speak, his voice sharp. "That's correct. We're here to discuss the fact that you've impregnated my daughter and are refusing to take responsibility."

I kept my expression neutral, but my mind flashed back to warnings my father had given me years ago. *"Aiden Hawthorne is calculated in everything he does,"* he'd told me. *"A businessman first, a father second. Be careful of him."* He'd also advised that if Orion ever showed signs of his father's calculating nature, I should sever ties immediately. But Orion had proven himself loyal in ways his father never could understand.

"Mr. Hawthorne, I'm curious what you believe would constitute 'taking responsibility' in this situation," I asked, my tone deliberately cold.

"You should immediately end your relationship with that Moon Alliance girl and marry my daughter—she's carrying your child, the heir to Silver Moon. Your future successor." His voice was unwavering, demanding.

I felt my eyes flash gold, my jaw tightening. This was the moment I should have spoken publicly about Isolde weeks ago. If I had announced she was my mate when I first discovered it, none of this circus would be happening now.

*This is my mistake,* I acknowledged. *I should have claimed her properly from the beginning.*

"I cannot do that. I will not," I replied firmly.

"Are you trying to shirk your responsibilities as Alpha!" Hawthorne's voice rose, his face reddening with anger.

Orion stepped forward. "Father, this is not the appropriate way to address the Alpha."

Hawthorne turned on his son, fury evident in his expression. "You dare lecture me on what's appropriate! This man has impregnated your sister. He has tarnished her reputation, and instead of standing up for your family's interests, you stand behind him like a well-trained dog!"

I raised my hand slightly, signaling Orion to stand down. He immediately stepped back, though I could sense his tension.

I could have exposed Evanthe's character right then, questioned the child's paternity, but that would only escalate the situation. There would be time for that later.

"Mr. Hawthorne," I said, my voice low and threatening, "if you cannot show basic respect to me or my Gamma, I'm afraid I'll have to end this meeting and revoke your access to Silver Moon Tower. So if you wish to continue this conversation, I suggest you control your emotions, lower your volume, and speak to me and my executives with the decorum expected. This is not a request."

Mrs. Hawthorne gently tugged at her husband's sleeve. His face remained dark with anger, but he visibly restrained himself.

"There's something all of you need to know," I said, surveying the conference table. "Something I should have made public immediately, but delayed for personal reasons."

Elder Nash, always the calmest of the council, spoke up. "What would that be, Alpha Ezra?"

I took a deep breath, knowing this announcement would change everything. "Isolde Blackwood, the Moon Alliance girl you've all been whispering about, is my true mate. My wolf, Prime, has been declaring 'mate' since the moment I first saw her. I can sense her scent, feel the undeniable bond between true mates. She is my fated second chance mate, which naturally makes her Silver Moon's future Luna."

Now they knew.