Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 197

Ezra's POV

I stared at Evanthe as she stood before me, that calculated smile playing on her lips.

"You must think you're very clever, Evanthe," I said, my voice dangerously calm despite the rage building within me.

Her smile widened, revealing perfect teeth. "That's not a thought, Ezra. It's a fact. I am clever."

My gaze dropped to her midsection, noting the subtle rounding that hadn't been there weeks ago. The small bump beneath her designer dress sent a wave of shock through me.

This was real—not just an announcement or a claim, but physical evidence growing inside her. My life was being turned upside down by this development, regardless of how I felt about it.

I leaned back in my chair, maintaining an outward appearance of control while measuring my next words carefully. "Do you really think your father and the board of directors can bully me into choosing you over Isolde?"

She hadn't expected me to be so direct.

"Seems like telling your father about the pregnancy wasn't enough," I continued. "You had to share the good news with the elders as well? To turn them against my relationship with Isolde?"

Evanthe's eyes widened with feigned surprise, her hand flying to her chest in a gesture of innocence that seemed rehearsed. "I didn't do that! I don't know what you're talking about."

I rose slowly from my chair, fury building inside me with each passing second. The leather creaked as I stood, and I felt my control slipping. "Don't try to lie to me, Evanthe." I moved around the desk, closing the distance between us with deliberate steps. "You told them!"

"No, I didn't!" Her breathing quickened, panic edging into her voice as I approached. The scent of her fear spiked in the air, sharp and acrid. "If the elders know about the pregnancy, you should blame my brother Orion, not me. He's just trying to fight for me, his sister, like any brother would!"

I studied her face, watching the performance unfold. The slight tremble of her lower lip, the widening of her eyes—all carefully calibrated to project vulnerability.

She was good at this—playing the victim, the innocent party being wrongfully accused. Part of me wanted to throw her out of my office immediately, but I needed answers.

"And what about the public?" I pressed, stepping closer until I could detect the artificial sweetness of her perfume attempting to mask her natural scent. "Are you going to lie and say you don't know how the news made its way to the media as well?"

"Do you really think I would put myself under public scrutiny like that?" Evanthe shot back, her voice trembling slightly. She took a half-step backward, her spine pressing against the edge of my desk. "I've been receiving threatening messages because of this leak! I'm just trying to keep our child safe, Ezra. I would never endanger that by going public."

I scoffed, circling her like a predator. The corner of my mouth lifted in a humorless smile. "That's exactly where you love to be, Evanthe. In the public eye, the center of attention, the topic of conversation."

"I'm not the one who leaked it," she insisted, her chin lifting defiantly. Her scent shifted again—less fear now, more determination. "You need to find whoever did."

"I don't need to look for anyone," I replied coldly, my patience wearing dangerously thin. "She's standing right here in front of me."

Evanthe's face hardened, her mask of innocence slipping away. "These accusations are groundless. I'm not going to stand here and listen to them." She turned toward the door, her movements quick and agitated. "Call me when you've calmed down and we can talk properly without shouting at each other."

Before she could take another step, I grabbed her arm and yanked her back toward me. Evanthe collided with my chest, letting out a startled yelp that echoed through the office.

"Let go of me!" she cried out, eyes wide with genuine fear now. "You're hurting me!"

I tightened my grip on her arm, satisfied to see the flash of fear in her eyes. It was about time she felt a fraction of the pain she excelled at inflicting on others. My fingers pressed into the soft flesh of her upper arm, firm enough to convey my anger but controlled enough not to bruise.

"Does it hurt?" I asked, my voice low and edged with ice. "Good. I'm glad it hurts. It's nice for you to occasionally feel some of the emotions you're so good at making others experience."

"Please," she whimpered, her earlier confidence evaporating. "Let me go."

I kept my hold firm. "I've already taken responsibility for this pregnancy. What more do you want from me, Evanthe?"

Her eyes met mine, desperation and ambition mixing in their depths. The truth finally spilled out: "A place in your life for me and this child! Our relationship has lasted years—I deserve more!"

I felt disgust rise within me at her sense of entitlement. The years we had spent together had meant nothing beyond physical release for me, and she had always known that.

I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper that carried the full weight of my Alpha authority. "You will never have a place in my heart or my home, Evanthe. Do you understand? You're playing with fire, and if you don't stop, it will consume you. End this madness now, and I'll show mercy."

"I'm fighting for my rights as the woman carrying the heir of Silver Moon!" she spat back, defiance returning to her eyes despite her vulnerable position.

"Future heir," I corrected her sharply, my patience finally snapping. My eyes narrowed as Prime's influence surged, a deadly calm settling over me. "Future heir, indeed."

"Evanthe, get out of my office before I lose my self-control and do something the entire Silver Moon will regret."

I released her arm abruptly, and she stumbled backward, tears streaming down her face. Without another word, she fled from the office, slamming the door behind her with enough force to rattle the glass panels.

I stood motionless, my breathing heavy as rage still coursed through my veins.

I had never regretted a decision the way I regretted allowing Evanthe into my life.