Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 211

Ezra's POV

The meeting hall now stood almost empty, with only Beta Nathaniel and a few security personnel attempting to restore order. I paced near the center of the room, my hands clenched into tight fists as I fought to control the rage building inside me.

A bone-chilling anger swept through my body as I thought about the Hawthorne family and their elaborate scheme.

*They planned this,* I thought, teeth grinding. *This was a carefully orchestrated setup to get rid of Isolde.*

If I didn't find proof of Isolde's innocence, she could face severe consequences for a crime she didn't commit. The very thought made me want to tear something—or someone—apart.

"Sir," Nathaniel approached cautiously, "we should clear the room completely."

I nodded stiffly, barely acknowledging him as my mind raced through the events. The dress, the hidden vial, Faye's too-perfect confession—it all reeked of a setup. Evanthe's parents had orchestrated this entire charade to frame my mate, and I'd be damned if I let them get away with it.

Heavy footsteps approached from behind, and I turned to see Orion striding toward me, his eyes flickering with barely contained anger.

"Ezra," he said, his voice tight with emotion. "I believe that Faye girl is lying. I need to question her again. Under the right pressure, she might change her story."

I studied Orion's face, appreciating his loyalty despite his sister being the supposed victim. His dedication to the truth over family ties spoke volumes about his character.

"Thank you, Orion," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. "But after I've seen Isolde, I'd like to handle this matter personally."

I started walking toward the elevator that would take me to the security level where Isolde was being held. "I need to see her now, or I'm going to lose control."

Orion fell in step beside me, his presence oddly comforting in this storm. As we approached the elevator, I froze. Five elders—the same ones who had voted against my relationship with Isolde during our last board meeting—stood blocking my path, their faces set in expressions of cold determination.

I narrowed my eyes, fury bubbling just beneath the surface of my control. "What is the meaning of this?" I asked, my voice dropping dangerously low. "You're in my way?"

Elder Nash, the ringleader of this little rebellion, stepped forward. His face maintained that elitist coldness so typical of the old guard, but I could smell the fear emanating from him like sour milk.

"We're sorry, my king," he said, not sounding sorry at all, "but you cannot go see Isolde alone. Company protocol requires at least two elders to accompany you."

For a moment, I simply stared at him, my face as cold as ice while my eyes flashed with gold. Then I let out a cold laugh, which quickly evolved into full-blown laughter, though there was nothing but danger in the sound.

"This is some kind of joke, right?" I finally said, my amusement vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. "You're telling me that the owner of Silver Moon Group can't move freely in his own building to see whoever he wants?"

Elder Nash cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable but determined to stand his ground. "No, my king. I'm afraid this is a board decision. Isolde has been accused of attempted murder, a serious charge, and we're all aware of your... special interest in her. To prevent any decisions that might affect company interests, we must follow procedure."

I studied him closely, seeing the flicker of fear in his eyes. He was afraid of me, as he should be, but his hatred for Isolde gave him the courage to stand there.

"Murder charges? Are you serious?" I scoffed, feeling Prime's rage building within me, threatening to break free.

Elder Nash continued, his voice taking on a sanctimonious tone. "My king, we understand how you feel about her detention. We simply want to ensure that no hasty decisions are made that could potentially harm the company's interests before the investigation is complete."

"Listen," I growled, my patience evaporating, "I don't have time to waste here. Move aside, or I'll make decisions that everyone of you will regret."

My silver eyes flashed dangerously, and Prime roared within me, demanding to be released. The urge to physically throw each of them out the window from the top floor of Silver Moon Tower was becoming harder to resist with each passing second.

Elder Jace, another of the five, spoke up. "We're very sorry, my king," he said, his tone firm despite his obvious discomfort, "but we must insist on following procedure."

Before I could respond, Orion stepped between us, facing me directly. "My king." His calm voice cut through the red haze of my anger.

"We're talking about my mate!" I snapped, raising my fist instinctively.

Orion caught my arm mid-motion, his eyes shifting to amber gold as his wolf, Talon, emerged. He held my gaze steadily—a bold move few would dare attempt with an Alpha.

"I know. She is your fated mate," he said, his voice low but firm. "I hate what's happening to her as much as you do, but any rash action now will throw Silver Moon into chaos and possibly cause a pack split. We can't allow that to happen."

I struggled to control my breathing, Prime's rage still coursing through my veins like liquid fire.

"You need to stay calm, Ezra," Orion continued, his eyes still glowing with his wolf's presence. "Look at me! I'm serious. You need to calm down and follow the rules for now, while we find a way to uncover the truth. We'll find evidence to prove Isolde's innocence, then secure her release safely. Trust me."

I stared into his eyes, seeing the determination and loyalty there. Slowly, the fire of my rage began to cool, replaced by a strategic calm. Orion was right—losing control now would only make things worse for Isolde.

With a reluctant nod, I stepped back, though my eyes still burned with promise as I turned to the elders. I could see the smug victory in their expressions, and I mentally marked each one. They would learn the price of challenging me soon enough.

*I've tolerated Evanthe's behavior for too long,* I thought. *It's time everyone saw her true face!*

"Fine," I said, my voice cold with suppressed fury. "I'll play by your rules for now. But understand this—Isolde is innocent. I will find evidence to prove it, and when the truth comes to light, each of you will personally kneel and apologize to her. After that, if I hear anyone spreading rumors or accusations about her, regardless of your position in Silver Moon, you will die by my hand. That's not a threat, it's a promise."

I walked past them, deliberately brushing against Elder Nash's shoulder as I pressed the elevator button.

The elders remained silent, the atmosphere thick with tension as the elevator doors opened. As I stepped inside, I caught Orion's slight nod of approval.

We would find a way through this, and those responsible for framing Isolde would pay dearly.