Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 269

Isolde's POV

The weight of Orion's words hit me like a physical blow. "You left us. And we looked everywhere, trying to find you."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the guilt lodged in my throat like a stone. What could I possibly say? That I was sorry? That I had good reasons? That I'd thought about them every single day for two years?

But then something shifted in Orion's expression. The cold mask slipped away, replaced by something softer, warmer. His amber eyes lost their harsh edge, and when he spoke again, his voice was gentle.

"But you know what?" he said, stepping closer. "You did well for yourself, Isolde. I mean that. I'm proud of you and what you've become."

My heart skipped. This wasn't what I'd expected. Not anger, not accusations, but... pride?

"I am," he continued, his gaze steady on mine. "Now, I mean, a part of me is actually glad you left. You pursued a goal and achieved it. That's amazing. Congratulations."

Warmth spread through my chest, unexpected and overwhelming. For the first time since arriving, I felt my shoulders relax, and a genuine smile broke across my face.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

"You're welcome," he replied simply, but the kindness in his tone made my eyes burn with unshed tears.

I had to ask. I couldn't leave without knowing. "What about Thalia? She must hate me."

Orion's expression thoughtful. "Hate is a very strong word. She was upset with you, yes, but she doesn't hate you. After all this time, she'll be happy to see you again."

Relief flooded through me. "I'm looking forward to seeing her too. I'll visit her sometime soon."

Orion's attention suddenly shifted, his gaze moving over my shoulder. I turned to see Holden standing with the security personnel, seemingly admiring the villa's architecture with that detached interest he applied to everything.

"Who's he?" Orion asked, nodding toward Holden. "I mean the younger guy."

"That's my brother," I said. "His name is Holden."

I called out to him, and Holden approached with his usual measured pace. When he reached us, he nodded politely at Orion, and I silently released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. *Holden can be so unpredictable sometimes.*

"Holden, meet Orion Hawthorne," I said, gesturing between them. "We were... uh... good friends before I left the group. Orion, meet my handsome, intelligent, and antisocial brother, Holden."

I bit back a smile at my own introduction.

I rarely got the chance to tease him. When the opportunity presented itself, I never passed it up.

Orion extended his hand with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Holden."

"The pleasure is mine, Security Director," Holden replied, shaking his hand with surprising courtesy.

I had to fight to keep the amusement off my face. Holden's formal tone was so perfectly him – respectful but maintaining that subtle distance he kept with everyone except family.

Just then, Orion's phone rang, cutting through the moment. He answered with a curt "Hawthorne," listened briefly, then ended the call.

"I have to go now," he said, turning back to us. "You should both head inside and get settled. This is your home from now on, so make sure you're comfortable. Goodbye."

"Thank you so much," I said, meaning every word. "I look forward to seeing you again."

Orion smiled one last time before walking to his car and driving away, leaving Holden and me standing in the driveway.

"This is a good start," Holden said casually, watching the car disappear around the corner.

I frowned at him. "What do you mean by that?"

"The Lycan King arranged a good place for you to live in," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Sooner or later, you'll move into his penthouse to live with him, which means I'll get to move into Silver Moon headquarters! This is that unlimited access I was talking about when we arrived a few hours ago."

My jaw dropped. "Me? Move into Ezra's penthouse? What makes you think that's going to happen?"

"The fact that you two are going to get back together soon!" Holden declared with infuriating confidence.

"No, we're not!" I shot back, feeling heat rise in my cheeks.

"Oh, come on..." Holden shook his head like I was being deliberately obtuse. "Look how easily he let you move in here instead of that regular apartment you specified. It's only a matter of time before he gets you into his tower."

My temper flared. "Are you saying I'm cheap?"

"Don't twist my words," Holden said, his voice taking on that lecturing tone that made me want to throttle him. "I'm just saying you can't escape your destiny. You're fated mates. It's fate that brought you two together again, and we all know you can't fight fate. What's meant to happen will happen!"

With that pronouncement, he picked up his pace and headed toward the villa's entrance, leaving me standing there with my mouth open.

*The nerve of him!* I thought, watching him disappear inside. *Acting like he knows everything about my life, about what I want.*

But then another voice cut through my indignation, one that made my blood run cold.

"You know he's not far from the truth, right?" Lyra's voice was smug in my mind.

I immediately slammed up my mental barriers, blocking her out completely. I didn't want to hear it. Not from Holden, and definitely not from my own wolf.

*They're wrong,* I told myself firmly, staring up at the imposing villa that Ezra had arranged for me. *Ezra and I can never be together again. We're over, and we're going to stay that way.*

But even as I thought it, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered doubts. Why had he arranged all this? Why go to such lengths if he truly didn't care?

I shook my head violently, dispelling those thoughts before they could take root. Whatever Ezra's motivations, whatever anyone else thought about fate and destiny, I knew the truth.

We were done. We had to be.