Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 285

Ezra's POV

I studied her face, searching for any hint that she might know about Isolde, but her expression remained genuinely puzzled, waiting for an answer.

*She this seriously asking me this?* I thought, my jaw clenching. *Has she been living in a fucking cave these past years?*

The realization hit me like a slap. If Lillian was asking this question, she truly had no idea about Isolde's existence. Which meant keeping it that way might be the wisest course of action—at least for now. Telling her would only complicate an already impossible situation.

"Alpha Ezra." Her voice cut through my internal debate, sharper now. "You still haven't answered my question."

Her eyes locked onto mine with uncomfortable intensity, and I watched her fingers drum against the leather armrest of the sofa—a nervous habit I didn't remember her having before.

I tried to deflect. "You need to rest."

But the words only made her face darken with disappointment. Something flickered in her eyes—her wolf, I realized. The sight should have stirred something in me, some recognition or response, but it didn't.

"Why don't you want to answer me?" she pressed, her voice gaining an edge of frustration and hurt. "Is there something you're hiding?"

"Because the timing isn't right," I said, my voice low and firm.

But Lillian wasn't satisfied. She leaned forward, her stare piercing. "So that means you do have a girl?"

Her question hit the mark with surgical precision, and I had to work to keep my expression neutral.

The silence stretched between us, thick with tension. I could feel Lillian's eyes searching my face for answers I wasn't ready to give. Finally, I moved closer.

"Lillian..." I began, my voice taking on the calm. "It's been five years since you disappeared. Five years. I thought I'd lost you forever."

I paused, watching her face. "Things have changed, for both you and me. There are things that happened in your life—things you're not comfortable or in the right headspace to share with me right now, and I respect that."

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as I continued.

"There are also things that happened in my life, Lillian. Things I'm not ready to tell you about yet. I need time..." I ran a hand through my hair. "I know you're eager to understand what my life has been like. I feel the same way about yours. But before that, we both need time to sort through our thoughts. I don't know if what I'm saying makes sense."

A single tear slipped down her cheek as she nodded, her voice breaking as she spoke. "I... I... I'm sorry. I apologize for my irrational behavior. I just came back into your life from God knows where, and now I'm acting like I'm entitled to everything. I'm sorry. My thoughts and emotions are all over the place."

Hearing her cry made my chest tighten with guilt. Every instinct told me to pull her into my arms and comfort her, but Prime's reaction was violent and immediate.

*She's not our mate!* his voice roared through my mind. *Don't you fucking dare betray Isolde like this!*

The internal battle left me frozen for a moment, torn between duty and desire, between past and present.

"I... I completely understand your situation," I managed. "But please know that eventually, I will tell you everything you need to know. I promise."

I took a breath, steeling myself for what I needed to ask. "Can you promise me something, Lillian? When you're ready, when the time feels right, will you tell me about these past years? About what happened to you?"

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her voice regaining some steadiness. "I promise I'll tell you when I'm ready."

"Thank you," I said, and despite Prime's protests, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her.

Lillian melted against my chest, her body shaking with quiet sobs as I held her.

I stroked her golden hair gently, trying to offer comfort, but something was fundamentally wrong. In the past, even the slightest contact with Lillian would have sent electricity racing through my entire body. We'd barely been able to keep our hands off each other.

Now? Nothing. No sparks, no electric current, just two bodies embracing. It felt hollow, mechanical.

My thoughts drifted unbidden to Isolde—those deep blue eyes, the way her breath hitched when I was close, the fire in her voice when she challenged me.

*What the hell is the Moon Goddess playing at?* I wondered desperately.

After what felt like an eternity, Lillian pulled back from my embrace, her breathing steadier now.

"You should go back to handle the group's affairs," she said softly, though I could see the reluctance in her eyes.

I created some distance between us, my phone already buzzing with urgent notifications.

"The staff will arrive shortly to attend to your every need," I told her, my tone becoming more businesslike. "If you need anything at all, just tell them. Don't cry anymore. You're safe here, and I'll visit you often."

She nodded, and for the first time since her return, gave me a small smile that I remembered from before—the one that used to make my day brighter.

"Okay," she said simply.

"Good girl. I have to go now. Goodbye." My phone continued to vibrate insistently.

"Have a wonderful day," she replied.

"You too."

I returned her smile, but as I walked toward the door and stepped into the elevator, my mind was already elsewhere.

*Now I need to get people involved in that investigation,* I thought, my fingers already dialing my gamma's number as the elevator descended. The questions surrounding Lillian's return needed answers, and fast.