Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 195

Ezra's POV

The silence that followed my announcement was deafening. I had finally revealed that Isolde was my true mate, and now I watched as the information sank in among the gathered elders and board members. Their expressions ranged from shock to disbelief to calculated contemplation.

Aiden Hawthorne was the first to break the silence, his face contorted with rage.

"Ridiculous!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist on the conference table. "The Lycan King with an ordinary werewolf? That's absurd!"

I felt my eyes flash gold involuntarily, Prime stirring within me at the insult to our mate. A dangerous growl built in my throat as I leaned forward.

"Isolde is my fated mate," I said, my voice low and threatening. "I will marry her. She will be your Luna. You will show her respect!" I paused, letting my words sink in before adding, "And if you ever speak to me like that again, you'll spend the rest of your life in jail."

Hawthorne paled, immediately lowering his gaze. Elder Jace, quick to defuse tension, placed a calming hand on Hawthorne's shoulder.

Elder Nolan cleared his throat, his analytical mind clearly working through the implications. "I'm curious," he began carefully, "why didn't you announce this the moment you discovered your mate bond?"

"Personal reasons," I replied coldly, unwilling to elaborate. I glanced around the table, noting that a few board members seemed understanding, but most wore expressions of clear dissatisfaction.

My mind flashed back to my initial resistance, how I had fought against the bond, denied what Prime had known instantly. How I had hurt Isolde in the process, keeping her at arm's length while my wolf howled for her. Those were not memories I wished to share with this room full of calculating wolves.

Elder Victor, typically one of the more traditional members, spoke up unexpectedly in my defense. "If this werewolf girl is truly his fated mate, then there's nothing we can do about it... She was chosen by the Moon Goddess herself, and we cannot question that."

A small measure of relief washed through me. I hadn't expected support from Victor, but I'd take what I could get. My keen observation told me the elders had already formed two distinct factions: three supporters versus five opposition, Nash, Jace, and five others. The numbers weren't in my favor, but I was still the Alpha.

*Stay vigilant,* Prime reminded me. *These elders' loyalty shifts with the wind.*

Hawthorne, still seething, turned to address the table. "We don't even know if he's telling the truth... I think he's lying."

His eyes swept across the others. "I believe he's lying so he can pretend to have a valid reason to reject your sisters and marry that girl instead!"

I was about to respond when, to everyone's surprise, Orion spoke up.

"Father... Alpha Ezra would never lie about something like this!" His voice was firm despite the clear discomfort of publicly contradicting his father.

Elder Jace quickly warned Hawthorne to control his emotions, reminding him pointedly of my position and power.

Elder Victor spoke again, his calm voice a counterpoint to the tension. "If Ezra says he and the werewolf girl are true mates, then that's fact. Besides, none of us can deny the intense chemistry between them..."

Even the opposing elders nodded reluctantly. They had all seen the security footage of Isolde and me together, the undeniable pull between us that no one could fake.

I remembered our first encounter—the overwhelming scent that had enveloped me, the instant recognition as my body responded to her presence, every cell in me screaming "mate" in unison with Prime. An involuntary shiver ran down my spine at the memory.

"Nevertheless," Elder Nash interjected, "we cannot deny that Evanthe would be better suited for the Luna position than Isolde. She understands our operations."

Elder Victor immediately countered, "Isolde may be an ordinary werewolf, but the Moon Goddess chose her for a reason... The Goddess isn't blind when pairing mates!"

I raised an eyebrow, surprised at Victor's passionate defense. I had always assumed he was in Evanthe's corner.

Nathaniel, who had remained silent until now, cleared his throat. "Isolde is an exceptional warrior... She is kind and compassionate... Our pack would be fortunate to have her as Luna."

Hawthorne nearly lost control at these words, his eyes flashing dangerously.

Elder Milo, always one for compromise, leaned forward with what he clearly thought was a brilliant solution. "He can still marry Isolde and make her Luna. But he should also marry Evanthe and make her the second Luna."

Hawthorne immediately objected. "My daughter deserves better than being some man's second choice!"

"That man," Elder Victor reminded him coldly, "is the Lycan King."

"She isn't even my choice at all!" I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

Hawthorne persisted, "If he is to marry both, my daughter should be the first wife, the Luna."

Elder Milo turned to me, his expression calculated. "Which heir would be stronger? One born from a fated mate, or one from a royal Lycan warrior family?"

My eyes flashed gold again, rage building within me at this entire discussion about Isolde as if she were breeding stock rather than my chosen mate. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as my anger radiated outward.

Suddenly, Orion stood. "Isolde isn't an ordinary werewolf. She's the daughter of Alaric, the Alpha of the Emerald Valley District... Which means she's the heir to the Emerald Valley. Alpha blood runs in her veins... She is more than capable of ruling over everyone here as Luna."

The room fell silent, shock evident on every face. The elders paled, and Hawthorne looked like he might choke on his own breath. I couldn't believe his son would so openly oppose him.

The idea of marrying both Isolde and Evanthe was asking for trouble. In my mind, Prime vehemently disagreed with even the suggestion. *We won't share our mate. Never.*

"Are you sure this boy is yours?" Hawthorne spat at his wife. "That idiot can't possibly be my child!"

I observed that Orion and Hawthorne looked remarkably alike—they shared the same strong jaw and piercing eyes—but their characters couldn't be more different.

Orion maintained his dignity though I could see the flash of hurt in his eyes.

Hawthorne turned to me, desperation evident. "You need to give Evanthe closure. She's carrying your child!"

I felt my body go cold. "I will make arrangements with Evanthe, but understand this—there will be no marriage between us. Isolde, my true mate, will be the only Luna of this group. Accept that." I stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "This discussion is over!"

As I walked out of the conference room, I could feel my heart pounding uncomfortably.

To be honest, I didn't know what was coming next.