Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 218

Isolde's POV

I woke up on the cold, hard floor of the detention cell, my body numb from the chill.

My muscles screamed in protest as I shifted, trying to find a position that didn't cause pain.

The dim light filtering from the ceiling barely illuminated the sparse room as my eyes adjusted to another miserable day in captivity.

Last night, after I'd mockingly suggested Ollie was impotent, he'd stormed out, leaving me without food, water, or even a blanket to shield against the freezing concrete.

The memory brought a bitter smile to my cracked lips. At least I'd gotten under his skin before he abandoned me to suffer.

I pulled myself into a sitting position, wincing as my stiff joints protested. My empty stomach twisted painfully, reminding me I hadn't eaten in what felt like forever. The thirst was worse—my tongue felt like sandpaper against the roof of my mouth.

*We need to conserve our strength,* Lyra, my wolf, whispered in my mind. *We can't give up now.*

"What's the point?" I muttered aloud, my voice raspy. "In this basement of the most powerful werewolf organization in the city, I might actually be forgotten down here."

*We CANNOT just accept defeat!* Lyra snarled, her frustration echoing through my consciousness.

The electronic door lock beeped, the sound piercing the silence. My heart leapt into my throat as I scrambled to my feet, hope flaring painfully bright. Was it Ezra? Had he finally come to release me?

I rushed to the door, pressing my palms against the cold metal, praying it would be him standing on the other side. Instead, Ollie's mocking face appeared, his lips curled in a cruel smile. My hope crumbled as quickly as it had formed.

"Well, well, the princess is awake," Ollie sneered, his Silver Moon security badge gleaming on his pristine suit. "Look at you now. From princess to prisoner. How fitting."

I stepped back from the door, my face carefully blank despite the disappointment crushing my chest.

"Where's Alpha Ezra?" I asked, hating how weak my voice sounded.

"Alpha Ezra?" Ollie laughed. "He's busy running a empire. You think he has time to worry about someone like you? Hope you enjoyed your piss."

I scanned him quickly, noting the electronic key card on his belt. If I could somehow get my hands on it... but Ollie stood well beyond arm's reach, clearly experienced enough to maintain a safe distance from prisoners.

With nothing left to say, I retreated to the wall, sliding down until I sat with my knees pulled to my chest, arms wrapped around them protectively.

The electronic lock beeped again, and a female server in a Silver Moon uniform appeared carrying a food tray. My stomach clenched painfully at the sight, saliva flooding my mouth despite my best efforts to appear indifferent.

The woman handed the tray to Ollie without even glancing in my direction. I noticed the distinctive silver emblem on the edge of the tray—food from the executive kitchen. Fresh, hot, and undoubtedly delicious.

Ollie placed it on a small table outside my cell, deliberately within my view. Then, with exaggerated movements, he picked up a different tray—one with last night's cold, congealed meal—and slid it through the small opening in my cell door.

"Guess what just arrived from the top floor kitchen?" he asked, his tone mockingly cheerful.

I stared at the unappetizing mess before me, revulsion evident on my face. The food had clearly spoiled, a sour smell wafting from the plate.

"What is this?" I asked, unable to hide my disgust.

"Food." Ollie shrugged. "What, does the Emerald Valley princess not recognize food anymore?"

"But they just brought fresh food. Why are you giving me this instead?" I gestured at the tray he'd set aside.

"Because this—" he pointed to the cold, spoiled food, "—is what you deserve. Cold, stale food for a traitor who betrayed her own father. People like you don't get to eat the same as the rest of us."

"I'd rather starve than eat this!" I shoved the tray away, my hunger no match for my pride.

"Then starve for all I care," Ollie replied, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Let's see how long you maintains that attitude."

I turned away from him, closing my eyes and leaning against the wall. Lyra growled deep in my consciousness, her anger simmering beneath my skin.

As Ollie began eating his breakfast, I realized with growing despair that I had no way to call for help. I wasn't part of the Silver Moon pack, and Ezra had never marked me. There was no pack link I could use to reach out to him or anyone else.

*I'm really fucked,* I whispered to myself.

Ollie's phone rang, interrupting my internal conversation. He glanced at the screen before answering.

"Yes, Jack?" he said, instantly more friendly. "Right now? But I can't leave her alone here..." He paused, listening. "Oh, is that so? Alright, I'll be on my way."

He hung up, giving me a warning glare. "You'd better behave yourself. Because I'll be back soon."

I responded with a cold laugh, not bothering to hide my contempt.

"Fine, stay in your filth. Maybe tomorrow you'll be more appreciative of what you're given," he spat, gathering his things.

Ollie left, the electronic lock beeping as the door secured behind him. I listened to his footsteps fading down the corridor, relief washing over me once I was truly alone.

I pressed my forehead to my knees, exhaustion and hunger making my thoughts sluggish. But underneath the fatigue, a spark of determination flickered to life. Lyra was right. I'd been through worse than this, and I wasn't going to rot in a cell while Evanthe got away with framing me.

Slowly, I raised my head and began to survey the cell more carefully. There had to be a way out of here.