Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 242

EZRA'S POV

I walked toward Orion's car in the parking lot.

The execution was finally over

As I got closer to the black sedan, I could see Orion sitting in the driver's seat, his posture rigid and professional despite what he'd just witnessed. That gave me some relief – at least he was still functioning, still in his role as my Gamma.

*He looks like he's holding it together,* I thought as I approached the passenger side. *But I need to make sure.*

I tapped on the window, and Orion's head snapped up, his amber eyes widening in surprise as he quickly unlocked the door.

"Ezra," he said, his voice slightly strained.

I slipped into the passenger seat, studying his face carefully. "How are you holding up, Orion?"

He blinked, clearly not expecting the question. For a moment, his professional mask slipped, revealing the exhaustion underneath. "I'm... I'm fine, Alpha. Just processing everything."

I felt some of the tension in my shoulders ease. He wasn't breaking down, wasn't lost in grief. That was good. Silver Moon needed him stable and functional.

"Your sister..." I began carefully, watching his reaction. "I know this wasn't easy for you."

Orion's expression grew cold, almost detached. "Oh. That."

The flatness in his voice caught me off guard. I'd expected pain, maybe anger, but not this complete emotional disconnect.

"You can take some time off if you need to mourn—"

Orion let out a laugh, but there was no humor in it. No warmth. No emotion at all. "Mourn?"

I frowned, studying his face more intently. "Orion..."

"Alpha, with all due respect," he said, turning to face me fully, "the woman who was executed today stopped being my sister years ago. The real Evanthe – the little girl I used to protect and care for – she died long before today."

His voice was steady, matter-of-fact, but I could see the pain buried deep in his eyes.

"She put three people in prison," he continued, his tone growing harder. "She murdered two adults and an unborn child. Her own child. She was prepared to watch an innocent person take the blame for her crimes."

I listened in silence as he laid out his sister's sins, each word delivered with clinical precision.

"So don't worry about my state of mind, Alpha. I only mourn for the child she used to be, not the monster she became. If anything, I feel the same relief you do. It's finally over."

*He's stronger than I thought,* I realized. Part of me had been concerned about losing my most reliable subordinate to grief and family loyalty. But Orion had chosen justice over blood, duty over sentiment.

"I'm glad to hear that," I said honestly. "Silver Moon needs you stable."

"I am stable," he assured me. Then he glanced toward the back seat. "Would you prefer to ride in the back? I can drive you to headquarters to meet with the elders."

I shook my head. "I'll stay up front today."

Orion's brow furrowed. "Alpha, that's not protocol. For security reasons—"

"Damn the protocol," I cut him off. "I'm sitting in the passenger seat."

He opened his mouth to argue again, but I held up my hand.

"Even if you disagreed, I'd do it anyway, Orion."

He sighed, clearly frustrated but knowing better than to continue the argument. "Shit. Fine. You want to sit wherever you want to sit."

I almost smiled at his exasperation. "Thank you."

He started the engine, and I found myself glancing back one last time at the execution area in the distance. The crowd was dispersing, the guards cleaning up. It was finally done.

As we drove through the city toward Silver Moon headquarters, the tension in the car gradually eased. Orion seemed to relax slightly behind the wheel, and I found myself appreciating this quiet moment between us. We didn't talk much, but the silence was comfortable rather than strained.

"You did the right thing today," I said finally.

Orion's hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. "I know. Doesn't make it easy, but I know."

---

The conference room was already full when I arrived. Eight pack elders sat around the massive mahogany table, along with Beta Nathaniel, all of them rising respectfully as I entered.

"Alpha," they murmured in unison, bowing their heads.

"Gentlemen," I replied, taking my seat at the head of the table. They settled back into their chairs, and I took a moment to study their faces.

Elder Nash looked tired but alert. Elder Jace seemed uncomfortable, shifting in his seat. The others maintained neutral expressions, but I could sense the undercurrent of tension in the room.

*Should I dissolve this council entirely?* The thought had been nagging at me for months. Since I'd taken over Silver Moon Group, these elders had done little but question my decisions and resist my reforms. They clung to old ways, old thinking, old prejudices.

*Don't think about the other matter,* I warned myself. *Don't think about her disappearance. That'll only distract you, and these old foxes will sense weakness.*

I cleared my throat. "I'm sure you all have thoughts about the events of the past few days."

Elder Nash leaned forward, his weathered face creased with what looked like genuine confusion. "Well... it's been quite a roller coaster of developments. Everyone's feeling confused right now..."

The word 'confused' almost made me laugh. These men had spent weeks pushing me to reject my mate in favor of Evanthe, and now they were 'confused' about her true nature? But the flash of anger in Nash's eyes made me swallow my amusement.

"Confused?" I repeated, my voice calm but my gaze sharp. "What exactly is there to be confused about, Elder Nash?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "The rapid developments – from the accusations against Miss Blackwood to Miss Hawthorne's execution. It's all quite shocking."

I leaned back in my chair, studying him carefully. "Shocking. Or are you simply disappointed that it was Evanthe who was executed instead of Isolde?"

The reaction was immediate and unanimous.

"Absolutely not!" Nash exclaimed, and the others quickly echoed his denial.

"Of course not, Alpha!"

"We would never—"

"Such a suggestion is—"

I shook my head slowly, a cold smile playing at my lips. *A bunch of old foxes,* I thought. *Every damn one of them.*

They could deny it all they wanted, but I remembered their attitudes over the past weeks. How they'd pushed for Evanthe. How they'd been ready to see Isolde condemned. How quickly they'd turned on my mate when it suited their political calculations.

The meeting was just beginning, but already I could feel my patience wearing thin. These men represented the old guard, the traditional power structure that I'd been slowly dismantling since taking control.

Maybe it was time to accelerate that process.