Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 213

Ezra's POV

I stepped out of my luxury sedan, nodding briefly to the security personnel who snapped to attention at my approach. I strode toward Silver Moon Tower's imposing entrance, my mind already strategizing the upcoming meeting with the supportive elders. In the current volatile situation, consolidating allies was crucial.

My phone vibrated. Seeing Orion's name, I answered immediately while maintaining my purposeful stride.

"The elders are already waiting in your office," Orion informed me.

"Good. I'm heading up now," I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the tension coiling within me.

"How's the interrogation going?" Orion asked, concern evident.

A flash of anger surged through me. "She hasn't changed her story. Still insists Isolde gave her the vial."

"She's lying to your face?" Orion sounded incredulous. "Whoever orchestrated this must have significant control over her."

"I don't care who's pulling her strings," I replied, my voice dropping dangerously. "I'll expose every last one of them. They'll pay for challenging my authority."

"I should go. Talk later," I ended the call abruptly.

I had barely taken three steps when a commotion erupted nearby.

"Silverwood!" A man's voice bellowed across the courtyard.

Turning, I spotted Aiden Hawthorne rushing toward me, face contorted with rage. Two security guards moved to intercept him, but Aiden fought against their restraint.

"Let me through, damn it!" Aiden shouted.

I assessed the situation coldly, noting Aiden's disheveled appearance and wild eyes. "Let him pass," I commanded.

The guards released Aiden, who stumbled forward before regaining his balance. He charged toward me, stopping just short of physical contact, chest heaving with exertion and fury.

"What is it, Mr. Hawthorne?" I asked coolly, stepping back slightly when Aiden's spittle flew as he shouted.

"She did it!" Aiden practically spat. "Your vile mate succeeded in harming my precious daughter!"

I kept my expression impassive. "What are you talking about?"

"Evanthe lost the baby!" Aiden screamed, voice cracking. His hands shook as he gesticulated wildly. "Your child is dead! Your heir is gone! And it's that demon Isolde who killed him!"

A fleeting sensation of relief washed through me, though I maintained my neutral facade. The loss of a Lycan child was regrettable—a potential heir to Silver Moon gone. Yet beneath that thought lurked a private acknowledgment: I was glad. One less complication in an already tangled situation.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Aiden demanded, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"What would you have me say?" I countered, tone measured.

"Evanthe is devastated... broken," Aiden continued, voice dropping to a pained whisper before rising again. "She needs you! You must go to her!"

"I will do no such thing," I stated flatly.

"What?" Aiden's mouth fell open in shock.

"I said no. I have urgent matters to attend to," I replied, glancing toward the building. "Now if you'll excuse me—"

"Mr. Silverwood," Aiden interrupted, voice trembling, "my daughter just lost your child!"

I should tell him the child wasn't mine, I thought, studying the older man's face. But without concrete proof, such an accusation would only inflame the situation further.

"That Isolde must be tortured during interrogation until she confesses!" Aiden insisted, eyes wild. "She's a devil! She must pay for what she's done!"

"That won't be happening," I said, voice hardening.

"Don't you care?" Aiden shouted, face reddening further. "Don't you care that your child, your heir to Silver Moon, is gone because of her?"

I felt my eyes flash gold as Prime, my inner wolf, rose to the surface. "Enough!" The word carried the unmistakable weight of an Alpha command.

Aiden flinched involuntarily, his body responding to the power in my voice.

"Take him out," I ordered the security personnel, who immediately moved to escort Aiden away.

As they dragged him off, Aiden hurled obscenities, calling me a traitor to my own blood, questioning my leadership, and promising retribution. I ignored the tirade, walking purposefully into the building without a backward glance.

When I entered my top-floor office, three elders rose to greet me. I gestured for them to sit, choosing to remain standing by the window overlooking the city.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice," I began, my gaze sweeping across the urban landscape below. "The situation has become increasingly complex."

"You are our Alpha," Elder Victor responded with a slight bow. "Your call demands our response."

I paced the spacious office, too tense and angry to sit. The room felt confining despite its size, my wolf restless beneath my skin.

"The circumstances are dire," I admitted, words clipped and precise.

Elder Cody leaned forward in his chair. "We've just heard that Evanthe lost the child. Is it true?"

"Yes," I confirmed simply.

"Then it means Isolde killed the child," Elder Cody concluded, expression grave.

"No, it does not," I countered sharply. "I know this sounds absurd, considering the evidence found in her dress, but Isolde had nothing to do with this. I can assure you of that. This is a setup!"

"How can you be certain?" Elder Victor challenged, thick eyebrows drawing together.

The third elder raised his hand slightly before speaking. "Mr. Silverwood, Isolde is your mate, so we understand your reluctance to see her guilt. But you cannot tell us she wasn't angry after learning Evanthe was carrying your child." His voice grew firmer as he continued. "It's perfectly reasonable that she planned and successfully executed the killing of Evanthe's unborn child to secure her position in the company... Nothing could convince me that Isolde is innocent in this matter."

I stared at the elder, shock rippling through me. I thought they appreciated Isolde's capabilities. What's with this sudden change in attitude?

"Given recent events," Elder Victor added, "Isolde has shown herself to be excessively dark and troublesome. We believe you should reconsider making her your Luna."

I felt my eyes flash gold again. "Are you serious?" I demanded, voice deceptively soft. "Just days ago, you were singing her praises, encouraging me to embrace our bond. Now you call her dark and troublesome? What nonsense is this?"

"We said those things because we hadn't seen her true nature," one elder retorted defensively. "But now we have!"

Cold fury swept through me. This meeting, which I had arranged to solidify support, had backfired spectacularly. I suddenly recognized it had been a mistake. My plans would need revision—perhaps even a complete restructuring of the elder council. Or its abolishment altogether. Nathaniel as my Beta and Orion as my Gamma were sufficient to help me rule both Silver Moon and the pack.

"I appreciate your input, gentlemen," I said coldly. "This meeting is concluded. You may leave now."

The elders recognized my displeasure and quickly rose, filing out of the office without further comment.

As the door closed behind them, I pulled out my phone. I need to speak with Orion immediately.