Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 300

EZRA'S POV

The leather seats of my Bentley felt cold against my back as Isolde's voice cut through the space between us, sharp and unforgiving.

"You can't just show up everywhere I go, Ezra! Do you have any idea how this looks?"

I should have been focusing on her words, on the anger blazing in those deep blue eyes, but instead I found myself captivated by the way her lips moved when she spoke. Even furious, she was breathtaking. Her chestnut hair cascaded over one shoulder, and I caught that intoxicating scent that was purely hers—something wild and untamed that made my wolf stir restlessly.

"I told you, photographers were—"

"Don't!" She held up her hand, stopping me mid-sentence. "Don't make excuses. You were jealous, and you couldn't stand seeing me with someone else."

She was right, of course. The sight of her arm linked with that designer's had nearly driven me insane. But hearing her voice, melodic even in anger, I couldn't bring myself to care about logic right now. I'd missed this. I'd missed her.

Two years. Two fucking years without her voice, her scent, her presence filling the spaces around me. And now she was here, close enough to touch, and all I wanted was to pull her against me and never let go.

*"That's because you haven't shown her your true feelings,"* Prime's voice suddenly cut through my thoughts, sardonic and pointed. *"If you did, she would understand. These frequent arguments would stop."*

*"I'm trying,"* I shot back mentally while maintaining eye contact with Isolde.

*"Not hard enough,"* Prime countered. *"All this just irritates her. You know what she really wants."*

*"What's that supposed to mean?"*

*"She wants you to choose. Between her and Lillian. If you did that immediately, she'd be happier."*

My jaw clenched. Isolde was still talking, her hands gesturing animatedly, but Prime's words hit too close to home.

*"You think I don't want to make that choice? I need to know the Moon Goddess's will before I decide anything. I can't act recklessly!"*

There had never been a precedent in Lycan history—no king had ever been blessed with two mates. The responsibility of that choice weighed on me like lead.

*"Then start investigating,"* Prime urged. *"Stop making excuses."*

*"That's exactly what I'm about to do,"* I replied, watching Isolde's expression soften slightly as her anger seemed to exhaust itself.

*"This is karma,"* Prime said with grim satisfaction. *"For not accepting her as your mate the first time. Deal with it yourself."*

I shut him out after that, because damn it, he was right.

I should have claimed her immediately. Should have marked her the moment I recognized the mate bond. Instead, I'd let fear and grief over Lillian cloud my judgment, and Isolde had paid the price.

"Are you even listening to me?" Isolde's voice snapped me back to the present.

"Every word," I lied smoothly.

By the time we reached her villa, the argument had died down to a tense silence. I helped her out of the car—she didn't protest, though her posture remained rigid—and watched her walk away without a backward glance.

---

Standing in the parking garage of the headquarters, I took a deep breath and straightened my tie. A security guard approached, opening the door for me with a respectful nod.

"Good afternoon, sir."

I nodded back, acknowledging the other employees who bowed slightly as I passed.

*"Nathaniel and Orion will help me make the right decision,"* I told my wolf silently. *"Just be patient."*

But Prime had already retreated into sullen silence, leaving me alone with my thoughts as the elevator doors opened to reveal my secretary.

"Good afternoon, sir," she greeted, barely looking up from her computer.

I nodded and pushed through the doors to my office, where I found Nathaniel standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Orion was pacing near my desk, his usual restless energy on full display.

The moment Orion saw me, he practically rushed forward.

"What about Lillian? Did you talk to her?"

"I did." I moved to my desk, loosening my tie slightly.

Nathaniel turned from the windows, his expression expectant. "What did she say?"

I settled into my chair, the familiar weight of leadership settling on my shoulders. "She claims she was kidnapped by someone who never showed his face, barely spoke. She planned her escape and succeeded, made her way here."

Both men stared at me, clearly expecting more.

"That's it?" Orion's voice was flat with disbelief.

"Yes," I replied, my voice deliberately dry. "That's it."

"She said her captor wore masks or blindfolded her, so she never saw his face. She can't trace where she was held—she starts crying whenever I press for details."

Orion's expression darkened. "I don't believe it."

"Did you stress how important it was for her to tell us everything?" he demanded, his agitation clear.

I felt heat rise in my chest. "She was crying, Orion. She looked so fragile and pitiful... I couldn't—"

"Exactly!" Orion cut me off, his voice rising. "That's her game!"

His anger was radiating off him in waves now, his stone-cold eyes boring into my face. "Why won't she tell us more? Anyone who suffered such cruelty and escaped would want revenge. But she just wants to bury everything and move on?"

I rubbed my temples, exhaustion creeping in. "I don't know."

"This whole sudden return makes me uneasy," Orion continued, his frustration mounting. "If she won't tell us the truth, I'll find it my way. And my methods never fail."

He strode toward the door, pausing only to add, "May I leave to start working?"

I waved him off with a tired gesture. He nodded curtly and left without another word.

"Why is Orion so angry?" I asked Nathaniel, who had remained quietly observant throughout the exchange.

Nathaniel moved closer, his expression serious. "He has a point, Ezra. Don't let past emotions and sentiment cloud your judgment."

The words hit me like a physical blow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean Lillian might be playing the victim. We can't rule out the possibility that this is a setup."

My blood ran cold. "A setup?"

"We can't dismiss the possibility that this is a trap. Our enemies know our weaknesses."

The word 'trap' sent ice through my veins. Other gangs, rival packs—they'd all love to see Silver Moon fall.

"A pack can't have two Lunas," Nathaniel continued relentlessly. "So you have to choose between Lillian and Isolde. Make sure you choose correctly."

"Let Orion investigate while you continue trying to get information from Lillian," he advised.

"Okay." I replied.

Nathaniel looked at me, shook his head slightly, then headed for the door.

*What is Lillian's real purpose for returning to this pack?*

Whatever the answer was, I had a feeling it would change everything—my relationship with Isolde, the stability of Silver Moon, maybe even my life itself.