Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 266

ISOLDE'S POV

The warmth spreading across my palm caught me completely off guard. I glanced down to see Holden's hand gently covering mine.

"If you squeeze any tighter, you're going to rip a hole right through that fabric," he murmured, his voice barely audible over Alpha Ezra's continuing speech.

I immediately loosened my grip, my fingers aching from the tension I hadn't even realized I was holding. A tired smile tugged at my lips as I looked at him. "Sorry."

Holden's thumb brushed softly across the back of my hand, a simple gesture of comfort that somehow managed to ground me in the moment. But it didn't stop my mind from racing, or my heart from hammering so hard I was sure everyone in the damn hall could hear it.

I couldn't focus on a single word Alpha Ezra was saying. His voice was just a rich, commanding rumble in the background while my thoughts spiraled into complete chaos.

"Calm down," Holden whispered.

"I can't," I breathed back, the words barely escaping my lips.

*What if he doesn't come talk to me after this? What if he just leaves and pretends he didn't see me?* The thought made my stomach clench with a nauseating mix of dread and disappointment that I absolutely hated feeling.

"If talking to him again matters that much to you, then you should go after him," Holden said quietly, still holding my hand.

My eyes widened at the suggestion. "You know I can't do that. That would make me look desperate—like one of those Alliance girls fighting for his attention!"

Holden finally turned to look at me, one eyebrow raised. "Oh, aren't you?"

The question hit me like a slap to the face. I felt my cheeks flush hot with shock and discomfort. "I'm not desperate," I hissed, though even as I said it, the words felt hollow. "I'm just... damn it, I don't know what I am."

Holden turned back to face the front, but his hand remained steady over mine. I took a shaky breath, trying to get my shit together.

I forced myself to straighten in my seat and focus on Alpha Ezra's speech, though my pulse still felt erratic.

"...Ladies and gentlemen, before I conclude, I want to once again welcome you all to Silver Moon Group headquarters. I hope you have a good time here, and for the designers participating in the competition, I wish you the best of luck. May the most talented designer earn the opportunity to collaborate with Silver Moon Group."

The entire hall erupted in applause as everyone rose to their feet. I stood as well, clapping mechanically while my eyes remained fixed on Alpha Ezra's tall, commanding figure as he stepped away from the podium.

*My heart is beating so fast it might explode. Damn this mate bond.* I should leave immediately, but I had to wait for Ezra and his executive team to exit first. It would be rude and probably noticed if I bolted now.

Alpha Ezra and his entourage moved swiftly toward the exit. As soon as they disappeared, the other designers and business representatives began mingling, exchanging business cards and making connections. I quickly signaled to my security team to escort me out, avoiding any conversations that might delay my escape.

I was practically trembling as we walked toward the exit. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, and despite the air conditioning keeping the hall cool, I felt hot and sweaty.

The cool wind hit my face as we stepped outside into the parking area, but what made me feel even colder was the sight that greeted me.

Alpha Ezra was standing next to my car. Orion was beside him.

*Fuck. He's standing by my car. How does he know that's my car? Damn werewolf sense of smell.*

"Well," Holden said quietly beside me, "here comes the moment you've been waiting for."

"Shut up!" I hissed at him under my breath.

I instructed my security team to wait where they were, including Holden. Taking a deep breath, I felt my heart racing as I walked toward Alpha Ezra with slow, confident steps.

*He waited. He wants to talk to me. He didn't ignore me. Damn you, Moon Goddess! I shouldn't be excited about this.*

"Isolde."

His voice was just as I remembered—deep, magnetic, sending shivers down my spine despite myself.

"Alpha Ezra," I replied softly.

He studied my face for a long moment, and said, "You look absolutely beautiful."

I couldn't stop the wide smile that broke across my face, or the heat that flooded my cheeks. *My mate just told me I look beautiful. Damn it, Lyra, calm down!*

"Thank you," I managed to say. "You do too. Your speech was very... powerful."

His expression shifted slightly, becoming more serious. "Your mother lied to me."

My heart clenched. Of course he'd gone looking for me.

"I went to Sapphire District to find you," he continued. "She told me you weren't there."

"She lied because I asked her to," I admitted, feeling a pang of guilt. "It wasn't her fault."

"Hmm." He nodded, his expression neutral but his eyes intense.

Suddenly, Alpha Ezra stopped mid-sentence. He pulled his phone from his suit jacket's inner pocket, glanced at the screen, and his brow furrowed slightly.

After a moment, he put the phone away and said, "I'm glad to see you're traveling with security. At least I know you're safe."

I felt confused by the comment and the sudden topic change.

"Orion will be going with you and your people," he announced.

I glanced over at the security director standing a few feet away, even more confused now. "What?"

"You won't be staying in the accommodations prepared for the competition participants. You'll be staying in a private villa I've arranged for you. Orion will take you there."

"What? Wait, what are you talking about?" I shook my head. "I don't need special treatment."

"I have an urgent matter to attend to," Alpha Ezra said, completely ignoring my protest. "This conversation isn't finished. I'll see you very soon. Take care."

And just like that, he turned and walked toward a luxury sedan waiting nearby, leaving me standing there completely confused and stunned.

*No regular apartment for me. He's prepared a private villa for me. Our conversation isn't finished.*

I stood there for several moments, processing what had just happened. The brief interaction had left me with more questions than answers, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter had somehow reset something between us—something I wasn't sure I was ready to confront.

*Typical Alpha control freak behavior,* I thought, but there was no real anger behind it. If anything, I felt... curious. And that scared me more than his dominance ever could.

Whatever was coming next, I had a feeling my new life was about to get a lot more complicated.