Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 201

Ezra's POV

I flipped through the endless stack of reports on my desk, the black ink blurring together after hours of review.

The sound of my office door opening made me pause, but I didn't bother looking up. The familiar scent told me it was Orion before he'd even stepped fully into the room.

Finally setting my pen down, I looked up at Orion with an expression that didn't hide my weariness. "Yes, Orion. What tedious business summit or charity ball has Silver Moon been roped into attending now?"

Orion approached my desk, a hint of amusement crossing his features. "I thought Nathaniel was joking when he said you weren't exactly thrilled about it."

"Oh, he wasn't fucking lying, was he?" I leaned back in my chair, massaging my temples. "The mere thought of spending hours with those insufferable, egotistical Alphas gives me a migraine."

I sighed heavily, making it clear I wasn't exaggerating. The annual meeting was nothing but a dick-measuring contest disguised as business networking. Every Alpha trying to outdo the others with their wealth, territory expansions, and whatever new plaything they'd acquired.

"I understand completely," Orion nodded, his expression sympathetic. "Especially with Silver Moon's expansion at such a critical stage."

"Exactly!" I slammed both palms on my glass desk, leaning forward with a devious smile. "So you get it."

Internally, I felt a wave of appreciation for Orion. Unlike Nathaniel, who was all business all the time, Orion understood me on a different level. Our interactions were easier, less formal, despite his unwavering loyalty.

Orion's eyes narrowed as he recognized my expression. "I know that look. You're about to make some outrageous request." He shook his head firmly. "You can forget it right now because, just like Nathaniel, I'm not letting you cancel the summit. You really want Silver Moon's stock to plummet, don't you?"

"So you and Nathaniel are ganging up on me now," I remarked, settling back in my chair.

"Not at all," Orion denied, his posture shifting slightly. "I'm actually here for a different reason."

"Because you enjoy watching me suffer through mind-numbing negotiations?" I quipped.

Orion shook his head, and I allowed myself a moment of levity. He and Nathaniel were the only two people I could show this less severe side to without worrying about undermining my authority.

I cleared my throat and straightened in my chair, shifting back to business mode. "Alright, jokes aside. What brings you here?"

"My father is here to see you," Orion stated bluntly.

I froze, staring blankly at him as if he'd thrown ice water in my face. Mr. Hawthorne? Here? Unannounced?

*Why the fuck would he show up without an appointment?* I thought. *He doesn't have the authority to just walk into Silver Moon headquarters anymore.*

"I don't recall having an appointment with him. Why is he here?" I asked, my voice hardening.

"You're right. There's no appointment," Orion confirmed, his jaw tightening slightly. "Just say the word, and security will escort him out of the building."

I studied Orion's face, noting the tension there. His relationship with his father had always been strained. Both Aiden and his daughter Evanthe were cut from the same cloth—self-centered, ambitious, and thoroughly unlikable.

But this was Orion's father anyhow.

"Let him in," I said, my tone bordering on resigned.

"Are you sure?" Orion's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Yes, Orion." I gestured toward the door. "Let's get this over with."

Orion hesitated. "He might be here to make some ridiculous demand. You shouldn't—"

I silenced him with a look.

"Yes, Mr. Silverwood," he said formally, turning and exiting the office.

A few minutes later, I leaned back in my leather chair, watching with mild interest as an older version of Orion strode into my office like he owned the place.

"Mr. Silverwood."

"Please, sit down, Mr. Hawthorne," I offered, gesturing to the chair across from me.

"That won't be necessary. Our conversation will be brief."

*Thank fucking god,* I thought.

"You know you no longer have the privilege of appearing at Silver Moon headquarters unannounced, correct?" I said coolly. "I could have had you removed without seeing you."

"But you didn't," he replied smugly.

"Only out of respect for Orion, your son and the current security director of this company," I emphasized, my voice dropping to an icy register. "You'd do well to remember that, because this won't happen again. Is that clear?"

My father had always warned me about Hawthorne—never to give him an inch or he'd take a mile. He'd been right.

"Yes, Mr. Silverwood," Hawthorne replied, the words clearly difficult for him to say.

"Good. Now, what brings you here that's so important?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.

"I've come to discuss a matter of great importance with you."

"It better be important," I said tersely.

"It's regarding my daughter, Evanthe."

At the mention of her name, my fingers curled into a fist, and my stomach churned. I clenched my jaw, struggling to maintain my composure.

*Evanthe*. I was sick of hearing that name. Sick of her constant maneuvering and demands. Sick of the mess she'd created in my life.

"What about her?" I asked, my voice flat.

"After the daytime summit, there's an evening gala. You'll need a female companion to accompany you. I want you to take Evanthe as your official female companion."

I frowned, tilting my head as I tried to process what he was suggesting.

*He wants Evanthe to be my date for the gala. Is he fucking serious?* I let out a small laugh, genuinely amused by the audacity.

I stood from my seat, my height towering over Hawthorne. The older man's face was deadly serious, without a hint of humor. He was actually serious.

"Mr. Hawthorne. You're certainly old enough to be my father, but you're not. Therefore, you have no right to try to tell me what to do."

"Evanthe, my daughter, is carrying your child," he pressed, his voice rising. "The future Alpha heir to this werewolf dynasty. She matters more to you than your new plaything—"

"Correction," I interrupted, my voice hardening. "Isolde isn't just my new plaything. She is my fated mate!"

"That's irrelevant!" Hawthorne shot back, his face reddening. "Taking another woman to that gala would humiliate my daughter!"

*Now I see where Evanthe gets her stubborn streak,* I thought.

"I will not be taking Evanthe as my official companion to the gala," I stated firmly. "Now, I need you to leave my office, or I'll call security."

Hawthorne stood his ground, rage evident in his rigid posture.

"NOW!" I roared.

Hawthorne turned and stormed out of my office without another word.

I collapsed back into my chair, running a hand through my hair. *Absolutely fucking ridiculous. These people think they can dictate my life and decisions.*

I reached for my phone, sending a quick text to Nathaniel: "Meeting with Hawthorne concluded. Schedule a call with security. We need to review access protocols."

It was time to make sure unwanted visitors—no matter who they were—couldn't disrupt my day again.