Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 277

Isolde's POV

My skin felt like it was on fire under Ezra's relentless stare. Every time I glanced his way, those steel-gray eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart pound against my ribs.

"Okay, what the hell?" I finally snapped, turning to face him fully. "Back at the club, you said you had important business to discuss. But you've spent this entire car ride just... staring at me."

"I wanted us to have some privacy first."

His voice was low and smooth, sending vibrations through my entire body that I definitely didn't want to acknowledge. God, I'd missed that voice. The way it could be so gentle and commanding at the same time.

*I like him when he's calm like this,* I thought involuntarily. *So gentle, so controlled, so... in charge.*

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to force my expression back to neutral. Whatever we were about to discuss, it was clearly serious, and I needed to stop letting his presence scramble my brain.

Looking out the window for a distraction, I noticed something that made my eyebrows furrow. "Wait... are those bodyguards?"

Around the villa we were approaching, I could see several men in dark suits positioned strategically.

"Why are there bodyguards around here?" I demanded.

Ezra glanced out casually, as if armed guards were as normal as streetlamps. "They're here to ensure everything stays secure."

His tone was so matter-of-fact that it made my temper flare. Of course he'd think this was perfectly reasonable.

"You having me move into this place instead of the normal apartments prepared for competition participants was already enough," I said, my voice rising with each word. "I can't have you posting bodyguards around like my life is in danger. I won't allow that. I don't need protection."

Even as I said it, I knew I was fighting a losing battle. This was Ezra Silverwood – CEO of Silver Moon Group and Lycan King. He always did exactly what he wanted, consequences be damned.

But then he did something that knocked me completely off balance.

"Alright."

I blinked, certain I'd misheard. "What?"

"Since you don't like the idea of having bodyguards around, I'll instruct them to withdraw. Your wish is granted." The corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile. "Satisfied now?"

My mouth fell open.

Did... did Ezra Silverwood just agree to something I asked him to do? Or were my ears malfunctioning?

I watched in shock as he pulled out his phone and spoke quietly into it. Within moments, the guards around the building began to disperse, melting away into the night like they'd never been there.

"I... I just... I'm surprised... I mean, thank you for understanding. Thank you so much," I stammered, feeling heat rise in my cheeks.

*This is so weird,* I thought, my mind reeling. *He never compromises. This is completely out of character.*

"You didn't need to do all this," I said, gesturing toward the luxury villa. "I was perfectly happy with the apartments they prepared for the other participants."

Ezra's eyes grew more intense, if that was even possible. "I wasn't satisfied with that. You're my—"

He stopped abruptly, and I could practically see him choosing his words more carefully.

"You're special to Silver Moon Group. During your time here, I couldn't possibly not give you special treatment."

*I'll never win against him,* I realized with resigned frustration. *I've never won against any Alpha.*

But his consideration did touch something deep inside me, even if I didn't want to admit it. "Thank you for the apartment. Holden likes it too."

"Isolde, you don't need to thank me." His voice dropped to that husky register that always made my knees weak. "Ensuring you're comfortable wherever you are is my responsibility. Making sure you're taken care of – I have no intention of slacking on that. Never again."

The intensity in those last two words hit me like a physical force. My pulse quickened, and despite every rational thought in my head, I found my gaze drifting to his perfectly sculpted mouth. God, what was wrong with me?

*Get back to reality, Isolde!* I mentally shouted at myself. *Remember who he is!*

I cleared my throat and forced myself to look away. "So what's this important thing you wanted to discuss?"

The moment I asked, something shifted in Ezra's demeanor. The warmth in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something that looked almost... sad. The confident charm that had been radiating from him seemed to drain away.

"In the past, I kept certain things from you," he began slowly. "That led to you finding out about them from other sources, which was... very bad. I don't want to do that again."

My stomach dropped. Whatever this was, I already didn't like where it was heading.

"You remember my first fated mate, Lillian, right?" he continued. "I lost her in a raid, and it left me depressed for many years."

"I'm familiar with that story," I said quietly, remembering what Thalia had told me about how Ezra had become cold and ruthless after losing his mate.

Ezra took a deep breath, and when he spoke again, his words shattered my world.

"Well... the truth is, Lillian didn't die. She's back."

My heart plummeted straight through the floor of the car. Every nerve ending in my body felt like it had caught fire.

"Yes. I... that phone call I received this afternoon when we were talking? It was about this. She's back."

*His first fated mate is back. What does this mean? Where does this leave me?*

I felt like I was drowning, but I forced my voice to remain steady. Cool. Detached.

"So... why are you telling me this?" I managed to ask. "We're already over. There was never anything substantial between us anyway. If your previous fated mate has returned, I think that's a sign that we shouldn't be together. You can reconcile with her."

Each word felt like swallowing glass, but I kept my tone level and disinterested. Inside, I was crumbling.

"No." Ezra's response was immediate and fierce. "No! I don't want that."

"The Moon Goddess obviously saw that pairing us together was a huge mistake," I continued, my voice starting to shake despite my efforts. "So she brought back your first fated mate. You should forget about me and accept Lillian. Move on with your life. Just like I will."

"Isolde—"

"I've had a very long evening," I interrupted, my fingers fumbling with the seatbelt. They were trembling so badly I could barely work the mechanism. "I'd like to go inside and rest now. Please."

*His first mate is back. How is this possible? I thought fated mates only happened once? Why is this even possible?*

"Isolde. We haven't finished discussing this," Ezra said, "I'll come find you again."

I didn't respond. I couldn't. I just pushed the car door open and stumbled out on legs that felt like they might give out at any moment.

Behind me, I heard the car door close, but I didn't look back. I couldn't. If I did, I might completely fall apart right there on the sidewalk.