Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 203

Isolde's POV

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Ezra standing in the secret apartment's living room.

One minute I was alone on the leather sofa, flipping through a magazine I wasn't really reading, and the next he was there—tall, imposing, and devastatingly handsome.

"What the hell?" I scrambled to my feet, my heart instantly hammering against my ribs.

God, I hated how my body reacted to him. Heat flooded my cheeks as conflicting emotions waged war inside me. I'd missed him fiercely—a fact I'd rather die than admit out loud—but I was also furious with him.

The burning impulse to throw myself into his arms battled with the urge to slap him across his perfect face.

Ezra moved toward me with the confidence of a man who owned the building—which, technically, he did. His scent filled the space between us, woodsy and masculine, making my wolf stir restlessly.

"Hello, baby," he said, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to vibrate through my entire body.

That voice. Damn him. My pulse quickened as he closed the distance between us.

I could barely breathe with him standing so close, looking at me with those intense eyes.

I hated how he could still affect me like this, how my skin tingled with awareness despite everything that had happened.

*Be careful,* Lyra warned in my mind. *He hurts us every time.*

Ezra's hand slid around my waist, pulling me against him. His fingers traced up my neck, making me shiver as he pressed his forehead against mine.

A warm current rushed through my body like wildfire. My wolf howled within me, desperate to be closer to our mate. Every instinct I possessed urged me to submit to the Alpha before me, but the rational part of my brain fought against it.

I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips against his.

The kiss was fierce and hungry. His hands roamed my back as I melted against him, my fingers clutching his expensive suit jacket. Goosebumps erupted across my skin as heat pooled in my core. Kissing him was addictive, exhilarating—his taste, his scent, everything about him called to me on a primal level.

*This feels right,* a voice in my head whispered as Lyra whimpered with satisfaction.

Then reality crashed down on me like a bucket of ice water. The image of Evanthe cradling her stomach, smugly announcing her pregnancy with Ezra's child, flashed through my mind. My eyes flew open, and I pushed against his chest, breaking our kiss.

I stumbled backward, breathing hard, shocked at my own behavior. What the hell was I doing? Had I forgotten everything that had happened?

Ezra's expression shifted to confusion, his eyes still glinting with gold as he stared at me. He'd clearly been caught up in the moment, and my sudden withdrawal had startled him.

"Baby... what's wrong?" he asked, his voice husky.

I raised my hand, signaling him to stop. "Don't call me that." My voice was shakier than I wanted it to be. "What are you doing here?"

Ezra straightened his jacket, composing himself. "I came to see you," he replied simply, glancing at his watch. "Is that a problem?"

"Yes, it's a problem! I don't want you here. This is my space!" I crossed my arms defensively.

One eyebrow lifted in amusement. "Your reaction suggests otherwise. If you didn't want me here, you wouldn't have kissed me."

I nearly blurted out that he'd used his Alpha allure to seduce me, but stopped myself. That would only inflate his ego more.

"Don't call me baby," I repeated, my voice hardening. "You should be using that term for Evanthe. She's carrying your child, after all." I couldn't keep the bitterness from my tone, my voice trembling slightly with the anger and hurt I'd been carrying.

Ezra's face fell, frustration evident. "Do we really have to discuss this right now?" His eyes had returned to their normal gray, the gold receding as his business mask slid back into place.

"Yes, we do!" I shouted, tears threatening to spill. "I have plenty to say about how you've treated me!" I jabbed my finger toward his chest, my entire body shaking with emotion.

"Isolde." His tone became authoritative. "Not today. I have something important to tell you."

"Unless it's about you letting me leave Silver Moon, I don't want to hear it." I turned away, returning to the sofa and sitting down. The cushions dipped as Ezra took a seat beside me, too close for comfort.

"The annual summit between werewolf Alphas is happening this weekend at Silver Moon headquarters," he explained, his voice steady and controlled.

I kept my expression neutral. "And why are you telling me this? What does that have to do with me?"

Ezra's eyes locked with mine. "The summit concludes with a formal gala dinner in the ballroom on the top floor of the building. I want you to accompany me to that dinner."

"No." I shook my head. "I'm not interested in attending any stupid business dinner with you. Ask Evanthe to be your date." I rolled my eyes, Lyra growling in agreement.

"The gala might be boring, but you'll still be attending with me," Ezra stated. "This isn't a request."

I clenched my jaw, knowing arguing was pointless. He would use his Alpha command to force me if necessary.

Ezra stood, not a wrinkle on his suit jacket, and looked down at me. "Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"Why do you care?" I shot back.

"I care," he responded simply, extending his hand. "Come with me."

I refused to take it, looking away and crossing my arms over my chest.

Without warning, Ezra bent down and scooped me off the sofa. I gasped in surprise as he lifted me into his arms.

"What are you doing?" I asked, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck, inhaling his cologne.

"Since you've decided to be stubborn..." His voice dropped to a dangerous timbre. "This is how you'll be treated from now on."

"Put me down!" I demanded. "This is Silver Moon, not some medieval castle!"

He ignored me, carrying me toward the door.

When we stepped into the hallway, I felt my face flush with embarrassment as the security personnel quickly averted their eyes, pretending not to notice their boss carrying a woman like a caveman. I buried my face against Ezra's jacket to hide my mortification.

Once inside the private elevator, I spoke again. "You can put me down now."

Ezra complied, setting me on my feet, but remained standing close enough that I could feel his body heat.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, smoothing down my clothes in an attempt to salvage my dignity.

Ezra's mouth curved into a smile that made my heart skip. "Where else but my penthouse?"

He pressed the penthouse button, and my stomach dropped. "Your penthouse? Why?"

His voice softened to a caress. "Our penthouse."

The elevator doors closed, sealing us in together as we began the ascent to the top floor. Anxiety churned in my stomach. Why the hell were we going to his penthouse? For what?