Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 278

Ezra's POV

My mind was consumed with one question that had been eating at me for hours: *Had I made the right choice telling Isolde about Lillian?*

I sat back in my leather chair, running my hands through my hair in frustration. The smart thing would have been to keep it secret longer. I'd already ordered everyone in the group who knew about Lillian's return to stay quiet, but secrets had a way of leaking out. Social media, gossip columns—eventually, someone would talk.

The thought of Isolde finding out from some random Silver Moon employee or seeing it trending online made my stomach twist. That would have been so much worse. At least this way, she heard it from me.

*But fuck, the look on her face...*

*You did the right thing,* Prime's voice echoed in my mind, cutting through my spiraling thoughts.

*Did I?* I shot back. *She looked like I'd physically struck her.*

*If you decide to be with her... and prove she's your only one... she'll get over it.*

I laughed bitterly. *But that's not the truth, Prime. Lillian's return does affect me! She was my first fated mate.*

*If Lillian was who the Moon Goddess wanted you with, she wouldn't have sent Isolde to you. Isolde is your real mate.*

*You only think that because you can't sense Lillian's wolf anymore.*

Prime's presence in my mind grew sharper, more aggressive. *If you don't make up your mind to choose Isolde now, someone's going to take her away from you. She's not lacking admirers now. You've seen how they look at her.*

The reminder hit like a punch to the gut. *Prime, do you always have to be this harsh with me?*

*If I don't use this tone with you, you won't make the right decisions. Silver Moon Group needs a real Luna, not someone dwelling in the shadows of the past.*

Before I could respond, Prime cut off our mental connection, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts.

Just yesterday, I'd been excited about Isolde coming back into my life. Now, with Lillian's sudden reappearance, everything felt like chaos. How the hell had my life become this complicated?

---

The elevator ascended slowly toward my penthouse, and I felt bone-deep exhaustion settling into my muscles. I nodded absently at the guards' greetings, my mind still spinning. I needed space from Lillian, time to think without her presence confusing me further.

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped toward my private suite's entrance, wanting nothing more than solitude.

"Alpha Ezra!"

I turned, surprised to see Orion striding toward me with an anxious expression etched across his face. What the hell was he doing in my private area at this hour without an appointment?

"Orion? What are you doing here?"

"I've been waiting for hours," he said, his voice tight with frustration. "You disappeared today and have been unreachable all evening. There are several urgent decisions that need your signature."

My jaw clenched. *I don't need a babysitter.* "You don't need to do this! I'm not some intern who needs monitoring!"

"I know that. But I did it anyway, and I'll do it again the next time you act like a missing CEO!" His voice rose slightly. "Silver Moon Group and the entire pack need your leadership."

---

We stood facing each other in my penthouse living room, tension crackling between us like electricity. Through the massive windows, the city sparkled below us, but the atmosphere inside was anything but peaceful.

"Tell me what happened," Orion demanded, his arms crossed. "Nathaniel spent the entire night handling problems caused by your absence."

I tried to deflect. "Nothing happened. I just needed some private space to think."

Orion's expression told me he wasn't buying it. "Bullshit."

I exhaled slowly, knowing he wouldn't let this go. "I told Isolde."

His face went pale. "No. You didn't! Why?"

"I had to tell her myself. I couldn't let her find out from company gossip or social media."

"How did she react?"

The memory of her devastated expression flashed through my mind. "She was completely heartbroken." I swallowed hard. "She tried to act strong and indifferent, but I could see right through it. The hurt, the anger, the disappointment—it was all there."

But what had torn me apart most was what she'd said next. "She said this was a sign from fate that we shouldn't be together."

Orion's expression softened slightly. "She didn't mean that."

"She did mean it. And then she left." I met his gaze. "I let her go. I didn't send anyone to follow her."

"So you're going to give up on her?"

"No!" The word exploded from me with such force that Orion stepped back. "I won't let her go. I could never do that! She's my second chance."

Orion nodded slowly. "Good. Here's what you're going to do: take a shower, eat something, get some rest. Tomorrow we'll work together to fix this mess."

He moved closer, his expression serious. "You're not fighting this battle alone. If you lose Isolde as a mate, Silver Moon Group loses a potentially powerful Luna, and the entire werewolf business network will be affected. I won't stand by and watch that happen."

I rubbed my temples. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight."

"Then at least do the first two things I mentioned," he insisted. "And if you're being stubborn about it, I'll have Una monitor you. Or better yet, I'll call Nathaniel to come handle this crisis personally."

Despite everything, his threat almost made me smile. "Orion, you're already unwelcome. Get out of my suite."

He laughed and clapped me on the shoulder. "Be a responsible Alpha and do what I said. Tomorrow we'll find Isolde." He headed toward the door. "Good night."

I shook my head as I watched him leave, then walked toward my bedroom. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city below, but I barely registered the glittering lights.

When I reached the bathroom, thoughts of Lillian and Isolde crashed over me again like a tidal wave. How was I supposed to balance the emotions tied to my past with this new fated connection? How could I maintain Silver Moon Group's stability while my personal life was imploding?

I stared at my reflection in the mirror above the marble sink. "My life has never been this fucking complicated!"

The weight of it all—two fated mates, a massive corporation to run, a pack to lead—settled on my shoulders like a crushing burden. Tomorrow, I'd have to find a way to navigate this impossible situation. Tonight, I just needed to survive it.

As I turned on the shower, one thought echoed in my mind: *Whatever it takes, I'm not losing Isolde. Not again.*