Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 255

ISOLDE'S POV

I glanced sideways at Holden sitting beside me in the backseat, surprised by the arrangement. Usually, the twins sat together, but today Lydia had claimed the front passenger seat next to our driver.

Lydia and I hadn't spoken since yesterday's argument. Honestly, I preferred it that way. Every time she opened her mouth, I felt my control slipping, and the last thing I needed was to lose it completely in front of everyone.

"Are you okay?" Holden's voice was quiet, almost hesitant.

I turned to look at him, genuinely surprised.

"I, uh... yes. I'm fine," I managed, still processing his unexpected question.

"Good," he replied simply, then turned his attention to the window.

*What the hell?* I thought, staring at his profile. Holden continued to surprise me every single day since I'd arrived at their safe house.

As the car pulled away from the temporary location we'd been hiding in, I let my thoughts drift to what lay ahead. Mom had called us this morning with the news—Alpha Ezra had been convinced that I wasn't with her. We could finally go home to Sapphire District.

Home. The word felt strange in my mind. I was planning to start completely over once we got back. It would be hard, I knew that. Building a new life from scratch always was. But I was strong enough to handle it, and I had my mother's support now. That had to count for something.

The most difficult part would be forgetting Alpha Ezra. God, I loved and hated him so much it physically hurt sometimes, like a constant ache in my chest. But love wasn't enough. It had never been enough. I couldn't go back to that life of power struggles and constant scheming, where every day brought a new conspiracy or betrayal. I was exhausted just thinking about it.

A low voice interrupted my thoughts. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

I jolted slightly, thinking at first that the driver had spoken from the driver's seat. But when I looked up, I realized it was Holden again.

*Holden cares about what I want?* The thought was so foreign I almost laughed.

"You... that question was from you?" I asked, needing confirmation.

"I believe it was," he said, his tone matter-of-fact but not unkind.

"Oh..." I trailed off, still trying to process this new dynamic between us.

Seriously, Holden surprised me more and more each day. Yesterday's argument with Lydia, today's unexpected concern—it was like I was seeing a completely different person than the suspicious teenager who'd glared at me across the dinner table just days ago.

He seemed to be waiting for me to elaborate, so I shook my head slightly. "I don't completely understand what you mean."

Holden straightened in his seat, his expression becoming more serious. "You're the Lycan King's fated mate. By default, that makes you the Lycan Luna of the entire werewolf and lycan world. Are you sure you want to give all that up? If you stay with us, you'll be living as basically a normal person. But you're giving up unparalleled power and influence."

His words hit me harder than I expected. Hearing it laid out so plainly—the magnitude of what I was walking away from—should have made me reconsider. But instead, it only reinforced my decision.

"I don't mind living like a normal person, Holden," I said, surprised by how steady my voice sounded. "I've been doing it my whole life, and let me tell you, it's a lot more peaceful. There's nothing but problems and misery up there at the top. I don't want any of that anymore. The power games have already exhausted me completely."

Holden nodded slowly, processing my words. "I understand..." he said softly, then turned back to gaze out the window at the bustling cityscape passing by.

I forced what I hoped was my bravest smile, trying to project confidence in my choice. But inside, my wolf Lyra was whimpering softly, disagreeing with every word I'd just spoken. She wanted to go back to Ezra, wanted to claim our rightful place at his side. The conflict between my human reasoning and my wolf's instincts was tearing me apart, but I couldn't let it show.

The car fell into silence, and I was grateful for it. As much as Holden's concern surprised me, talking to him also made me nervous in a way I couldn't explain. Despite being younger than me, there was something about him that triggered a deep, core fear I didn't want to examine too closely. I'd rather lose myself in my own thoughts than continue this conversation.

That peaceful quiet didn't last long.

"Only an idiot would do what you're doing right now."

Lydia's voice cut through the silence like a blade. She had turned around in the front seat to fix me with a look of pure contempt.

"Giving up the bond with the Lycan King? Do you know how many women dream of becoming Ezra Silverwood's Luna?" She paused, letting her words sink in before delivering the final blow. "Yes, I just called you an idiot, because that's exactly what you are."

I felt my jaw clench, but I forced myself not to respond. Instead, I leaned back against the leather seat, my fingers unconsciously tracing the stitching pattern. Getting into another fight with Lydia wouldn't accomplish anything except making everyone in the car miserable.

I shook my head calmly, my expression remaining neutral even as my mind was already making plans. Someday, I promised myself, I was going to teach Lydia a lesson just like I had with Sybilla back at Silver Moon.

The girl clearly needed to learn that there were consequences for constantly running her mouth.