Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 281

Isolde's POV

I stared at Holden, my paranoia reaching new heights. "What do you mean she's 'too pretty to be an assassin'? That's literally the dumbest logic I've ever heard!"

But Holden just grinned, completely unbothered by my outburst. "Trust me on this one, Isolde. She's hot as hell! And she's got that whole dangerous girl vibe going on..." His eyes practically sparkled with interest. "I'm definitely getting her number before she leaves."

"Oh for fuck's sake." I pushed past him, my anxiety spiking. "I'm going to see for myself... and you better not be making this shit up!"

As I went downstairs, my heart started racing for reasons I couldn't quite explain. Something felt off about this whole situation. *Who the hell just shows up and starts cooking in someone else's kitchen?*

I could smell something amazing wafting from the kitchen—eggs, bacon, fresh coffee. My stomach growled despite my nerves.

I approached the kitchen doorway cautiously, Holden right behind me. When I peered around the corner and saw the girl standing at the stove, both Holden and I froze completely.

It wasn't some random stranger.

It wasn't a spy or an assassin.

It was *Thalia*.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at her familiar form. Her short chestnut hair caught the morning light streaming through the windows, and she moved with that same graceful efficiency I remembered from our days in the Moon Alliance Program. She was making what looked like a full breakfast spread, humming softly to herself.

*Holy shit. It's really her.*

As if sensing my presence, Thalia stopped stirring whatever was in the pan and slowly turned around. When her bright green eyes met mine, that familiar warm smile spread across her face—the same smile that had gotten me through some of my darkest moments two years ago.

"Thalia..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.

The wooden spoon slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor.

"Isolde."

That's all it took. My tears started streaming down my face.

Thalia didn't hesitate. She crossed the kitchen in three quick steps and pulled me into her arms, holding me tight like I was something precious she'd thought she'd lost forever.

I buried my face in her shoulder and sobbed like a fucking child.

"I missed you so much," I choked out between sobs. "I'm so sorry, Thalia. I'm so fucking sorry I left without saying anything. I was just—"

"Shh," she murmured, rubbing my back in soothing circles. "It's okay. You're okay. We're okay."

"Whoa." Holden's voice cut through our emotional reunion, confusion written all over his face. "I'm completely lost here. Can someone tell me what the hell is happening? You two know each other?"

Thalia and I both turned to glare at him simultaneously.

"Now you don't even think about asking for her number," I warned him, still wiping tears from my cheeks. "Not unless you want to deal with Orion."

Thalia laughed, the sound bright and familiar. "He's cute," she said, which made me roll my eyes.

"Don't encourage him," I muttered. Then I gestured toward Holden. "Thalia, meet my half-brother Holden. I only found out about him two years ago when I went to live with my mom's new family."

Thalia's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I had no idea you had a brother."

"Yeah, well..." I shrugged. "There's a lot you don't know about what happened after I left."

I saw understanding flash in Thalia's eyes. She knew I wasn't just talking about family revelations.

"Thalia..." I said slowly, my voice getting more serious. "What are you doing here? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm so fucking happy to see you, but how did you even know where to find me?"

Her expression sobered immediately, and I felt my stomach drop.

"Orion told me what happened," she said gently. "About Lillian showing up. I came to check on you."

Holden, who'd been looking back and forth between us like he was watching a tennis match, suddenly seemed to pick up on the heavy atmosphere. "You know what? I'm gonna go grab some coffee from the other room. You two... talk."

He practically fled the kitchen, leaving us alone.

I leaned against the counter, suddenly feeling exhausted again. "So you know about the whole clusterfuck with Ezra's supposedly dead mate coming back to life?"

"Yeah." Thalia's voice was soft but steady. "I know. How are you holding up?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "How do you think? I'm fucking fantastic. Living my best life over here."

"Isolde..."

"No, seriously," I continued, my voice getting louder as the hurt and anger bubbled back up. "Why would the Moon Goddess let Lillian come back if not to show me that I don't belong in Ezra's life? That I never belonged there?"

"That's not true—"

"Isn't it?" I interrupted. "Think about it, Thalia. I'm his fated mate, but she was his *first* fated mate. She's the one he actually loved. I was just... I was just filling a void she left behind."

Thalia stepped closer, her eyes flashing with that fierce loyalty I remembered. "You're his fated mate, Isolde. That bond is sacred. It's not something you just give up on because of complications."

"Complications?" I stared at her in disbelief. "His dead wife coming back to life is a *complication*?"

"Listen to me," Thalia said firmly, grabbing my hands. "Whatever cosmic fuckery is happening with Lillian's return doesn't change what you and Ezra have. Don't let fear make you run away again."

"I'm not running away!" I protested. "I'm being realistic! Thalia, I'm tired. I'm so fucking tired of all this drama. Ever since Ezra and I first met, it's been one disaster after another. The Moon Alliance Program, the pack politics, the constant fighting, and now this..." I gestured helplessly. "I can't keep doing this. I can't keep being the outsider in his world, always fighting for a place that might not even really be mine."

"So what are you saying?"

I took a shaky breath, the words feeling like glass in my throat. "I'm saying maybe I should just accept that this is a sign. Maybe I should stop fighting fate and just—"

"Just what?"

I met her eyes, and the defeat in my voice was unmistakable. "Just let him go. Let him be happy with Lillian. I mean, if she's really back, then maybe that's what's supposed to happen. Maybe I was never meant to—"

"Isolde."

The deep, familiar voice from the kitchen doorway made my blood freeze in my veins. I spun around so fast I nearly lost my balance, and there he was.

*Ezra.*

He was standing in the doorway. His gray eyes were locked on mine with an expression I'd never seen before—raw, unguarded hurt mixed with something that looked almost like panic.

"Ezra!" I gasped, my heart hammering against my ribs. *How long has he been standing there? How much did he hear?*

*Shit, shit, shit. This is really fucking bad.*