Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 276

Isolde's POV

"It was just a joke," I said quickly, trying to dismiss the whole thing, but my voice came out strangled and defensive.

Ezra didn't seem to care about my embarrassment one bit. His eyes flashed with that dangerous golden light I remembered too well. "I don't like this joke," he said, his voice carrying clearly over the music. "I don't like you entertaining other men on my turf!"

The possessiveness in his tone made my temper flare.

"If you're just here to lecture me about irrelevant bullshit, then I'm leaving," I said coldly, my fingers tightening around my glass.

That's when Holden appeared back at my side, and his reaction to seeing Ezra was priceless. His eyes went wide, his usual composed mask slipping completely.

"I leave you alone for five minutes and you manage to get the CEO of Silver Moon Group to come to the club?" Holden demanded, staring between us in disbelief.

Ezra's sharp gaze fixed on my brother, his expression turning dangerous. "And who are you?"

"None of your business," I snapped, grabbing Holden's arm. "Take me home. Now."

But Holden completely ignored me, stepping forward with that respectful posture he used around authority figures. "Mr. Silverwood, sir. I'm Holden Rogers. Isolde's brother. It's an honor to meet you in person."

I rolled my eyes so hard I was surprised they didn't fall out of my head. *All the men in my life are impossible,* I thought irritably.

*These impossible males amuse me,* Lyra commented with dark humor in my mind.

"You don't need to wait around," Ezra told Holden, his tone leaving no room for argument. The Alpha authority rolled off him in waves. "You can leave. I'll personally see that she gets home safely."

"No, you won't!" I protested, my hand gripping the cocktail glass so tightly I was surprised it didn't shatter.

But Holden was already backing down, the fucking traitor. "I don't want to oppose the orders of the man who runs this city," he said quietly to me. "Go with him. He's the most powerful person here – you'll be safe with him."

"Traitor!" I hissed under my breath as he walked away, feeling completely betrayed by my own family.

Ezra's mouth curved into a victorious smile that made me want to punch him. "Sit down, sweetheart. Looks like you're stuck with me now."

I sank back onto the barstool with no other choice, my anger simmering as he gestured to the bartender for two expensive whiskeys.

"I don't want another drink," I said flatly, but he ignored me.

"You didn't answer my question earlier," he said casually, as if he hadn't just orchestrated my brother's departure.

"You didn't answer mine either," I shot back.

His infuriating calmness was driving me crazy. Those steel-gray eyes held such confidence while I felt like I was burning up with rage from the inside.

Then a horrible realization hit me. "Wait a minute," I said slowly, studying his face. "How do I get the feeling you've been stalking me? Are your people watching me?"

Ezra just smiled and took a elegant sip of his whiskey, saying nothing.

"Are they?" I pressed. "Is Silver Moon Group security surveilling me?"

"What does it matter?" he said finally, his tone maddeningly casual. "Nothing escapes my notice in my territory."

The admission sent a chill down my spine. "That's fucking wrong and weird... and creepy as hell."

"That's just how I operate!" he said, his voice softening slightly. "I'm ensuring your safety."

"I'm perfectly safe," I insisted.

"You don't know how dangerous this city can be," he countered.

My heart was racing in that annoying way that made me want to scream.

"You ruined my night," I said, trying to regain control of the conversation. "I just wanted to relax."

"You're feistier than you were two years ago," he observed.

I let out a bitter laugh. "Feisty? I was feisty two years ago. I was weak and naive and stupid back then, and you trampled all over me."

Ezra actually choked on his whiskey.

"I trampled you?" he asked after recovering.

"Didn't you?" I challenged. "Everything that happened to me in that Moon Alliance Program – wasn't that all your doing?"

His expression grew serious, almost dangerous. "I don't like where this conversation is heading."

I grabbed my purse, ready to leave. "Then take me home, since you already chased away my ride."

But his hand caught my wrist, gentle but unbreakable. "We need to talk. There's something important you need to know."

Then he did something that shocked me to my core. Alpha Ezra – CEO of Silver Moon Group, Lycan King, the most powerful man in the city – actually pleaded.

"Isolde, please. This is important. You have to listen. Please. I'm begging you. Please."

The desperation in his voice made my stomach drop. Whatever this was about, it was serious.

"Okay," I said finally. "But not here. I'm sick of this place – it's too loud."

"Then let's go to my car," he suggested.

"Fine," I agreed, suddenly feeling exhausted. "This day has been shitty enough already."

His eyes flashed with that dangerous golden light again. "I'm also tired of watching all these men stare at you."

I shot him a warning look. "Control your wolf."

Four suited security guards materialized around us as we prepared to leave – three leading the way, one staying behind to handle the bill and other arrangements. I could feel every eye in the place following us, and I knew this would be all over social media and gossip sites by tomorrow morning.

But I pushed those thoughts away, focusing instead on whatever important thing Ezra needed to tell me.