Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 226

Ezra's POV

I stepped into the hospital room alone, my eyes immediately falling on Evanthe lying peacefully in the bed. She looked so serene, so innocent in her sleep, with her golden hair spread across the pristine white pillows like a halo.

But I knew better. Beneath that beautiful exterior lay the heart of a serpent—selfish, manipulative, and utterly without regard for anyone but herself.

*She killed her child and put her own life at risk just to be with us,* The very thought made my stomach churn. I would rather give up control of Silver Moon Group entirely than have anything to do with a woman capable of such monstrous acts.

As I moved closer to the bed, studying her face in the soft hospital lighting.

I felt Evanthe's awareness of my presence before she opened her eyes. Her eyelids fluttered, and she sat up quickly, her golden hair cascading messily over her shoulders as shock registered on her face.

"Alpha Ezra," she breathed, her voice filled with surprise and disbelief. "Is it really you?"

I forced a smile to my lips, nodding as a cold glint flashed through my gray eyes. "The one and only," I replied, my voice low and controlled.

Evanthe reached out, her perfectly manicured red nails catching the light as she tried to grasp my hand. I felt my skin crawl at the contact, but I maintained my business-like smile, fighting every instinct that screamed at me to recoil.

*I can't stand to look at her,* I thought, my jaw clenching slightly. *Not after knowing what she's done.* The knowledge of her crimes made me physically ill. Thank God my mate had appeared to change my previous obsession with this woman.

"You came," Evanthe said, her voice bright with excitement. "You finally came. I had lost all hope. I thought you were so angry that you didn't even want to see me." Her eyes filled with tears, and her voice trembled with perfectly calculated vulnerability, the picture of delicate femininity.

For the sake of making this performance more convincing, I sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand, arranging my features into an expression of grief. I glanced around the room, noting the various high-end medical equipment—this was Silver Moon Group's finest private medical facility, after all.

"I needed some time to process the news," I said, my voice carefully modulated to show just the right amount of concern and distance. "It hit me hard."

"I thought so too," Evanthe replied, tears streaming down her face while her makeup remained flawlessly intact. "So when my brother Orion said you didn't want to see me, I didn't listen. You were just devastated by the news of our child's death, which is why it took you so long to come. Alpha Ezra, I'm so sorry I lost our baby. I promise I tried my best, but the damage was already done. I'm truly sorry."

*Our child.* The words made my blood boil.

"It's all Isolde's fault," Evanthe continued, her blue eyes flashing with hatred. "She was jealous that I was carrying your child. So she poisoned me. You... you have to punish her, Alpha Ezra. Our child shouldn't have died like this. Isolde must pay for her crimes!"

*The only one who needs to pay for crimes here is you, and I'll make sure of that,* I thought grimly.

"She killed our heir!" Evanthe insisted, gripping my hand so tightly her nails nearly pierced my skin.

I gritted my teeth, feeling a wave of irritation rise within me. "The investigation is ongoing," I replied. "When I find evidence to support that claim, Isolde will face appropriate consequences."

"What more evidence are you looking for?" Evanthe demanded. "The poison was found in her dress. She poisoned me!"

I exhaled heavily. If I continued this topic, I feared I might lose my temper. *Control yourself. Don't let her know we're onto her,* Prime warned.

"Forget about Isolde," I said, ensuring my voice sounded sufficiently gentle and caring, like I was addressing an important Silver Moon Group client. "I'll handle her personally. Right now, let's focus on you. How are you feeling?"

Evanthe shook her head, her golden hair swaying as she maintained her pitiful expression. "I'm not well at all. I keep thinking about our child. I'm so scared."

"What can I do to make you feel better?" I asked, keeping my tone tender while my fingers traced gentle patterns on the back of her hand.

Evanthe stared at me as if she'd seen a ghost, clearly not expecting such solicitous concern from me. My heart rate quickened—had I been too caring? Would she become suspicious? I cleared my throat and adjusted my suit.

"I mean... you know, you just lost our child, and I'm just concerned about your health, so I'm asking these questions," I said, returning to a more businesslike tone of concern.

"I know... I know. I understand. I'm just, you know, shocked that you would even..." She paused, waving her hand dismissively. "You know what, never mind. Let's get back to your previous question."

"About what I can do to make you feel better?" I raised an eyebrow, already anticipating her request.

Evanthe's face broke into a wide smile as she nodded, her eyes gleaming with calculated ambition. "Yes. There's something you can do to make me feel better... I want you to take me to your penthouse so we can spend the night together. That would make me feel better." She smiled shyly, her fingers trailing across my wrist.

I chuckled softly. I could see right through her plan—*terminate the child, make me feel sorry for her, lower my guard, and eventually sleep with her again to get pregnant.* It was actually quite clever, but I had already seen through it and was prepared.

*She thinks we'll fall for this again,* Prime sneered in my mind.

"Is that what you want?" I asked calmly and tenderly, my fingers brushing through her golden hair.

Evanthe nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling with what she thought was victory.

I smiled—a cold, business-like expression that held no warmth. "Very well then. As soon as you're discharged, I'll take you straight to my penthouse."

"Really?" she squealed with excitement, reaching to embrace me and nearly pulling out her IV line in the process.

"Whoa! Careful. Don't move. You'll hurt yourself," I cautioned, gently repositioning her punctured hand, noting her perfectly manicured nails.

"I'm just so excited. I can't wait to spend the night in your arms," she purred, her voice heavy with implication and desire.

I smiled back, appearing to savor the moment while internally counting the seconds until this charade could end.

*She has no idea what I have in store for her. She'll pay for her lies soon enough.* I thought with grim satisfaction.