Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 302

Isolde's POV

"There are some rumors going around." Thalia told me.

I groaned, sinking deeper into the plush couch cushions. Great. Just what I needed. "I hate rumors, especially from Silver Moon Group members. They always have something to say about me."

*Well, they certainly do love their gossip,* I thought bitterly. I'd hoped I was done with all that shit when I left two years ago, but apparently not. I couldn't help but wonder what grievous sin I'd committed this time.

"What rumors?" I asked, though part of me didn't want to know.

Thalia's smile widened. "About a certain very tall, handsome fashion designer who seems interested in you."

My mouth fell open. Daryl Fields was the only designer who matched that description and had shown any interest in me. "Wow! Word travels fast. Daryl and I only had dinner once!"

"As the future Luna, going out with another man even once is enough to cause quite the stir, honey!" Thalia laughed.

I rolled my eyes, leaning back against the cushions. "Let me guess what they're saying. Are they claiming I've already slept with him? That we're engaged? Getting married next week? I'm curious because I know Silver Moon's internal gossip never disappoints." I'd learned from experience just how creative these people could get.

Thalia shook her head. "Actually, since Evanthe got hanged two years ago and Ezra issued that harsh warning, the group employees have toned it down considerably."

"Well, there weren't any rumors before because I wasn't here," I pointed out with a bitter laugh. "Now that I'm back, I'm 'stirring up waves' again. Maybe I should become an influencer."

"These rumors are actually pretty harmless," Thalia said, leaning forward. "And Ezra's the one taking the hit this time."

"What do you mean?"

Thalia moved closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "People are praising Daryl for having the balls to approach the Lycan King's fated mate. Some say Ezra's going to lose his treasure to Daryl. Others are calling Ezra stupid for tolerating Daryl's advances toward you. Word is, he's going crazy!"

I shrugged, trying to look nonchalant even as my heart did a little flip. "But he's the one in control. It's his choice. If he wants to be with me, great. If he doesn't, I couldn't care less."

The words cut my heart in half as I said them. I was always saying things I didn't mean. *I do want him to want to be with me!*

*Who are you kidding? We both know you want him!* Lyra growled angrily in my mind.

"Fate already made the choice for Ezra," Thalia countered firmly. "He has to accept that fact."

"What about Lillian?" I asked, my voice tighter than I intended. "Does that mean he has to accept her too?"

"Lillian is a special case that needs to be studied separately. She shouldn't be part of this discussion."

I waved my hand dismissively. "Let's forget about Ezra and his problems for now and talk about something else, okay? This topic is giving me a stomachache!"

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked.

I thought about the persistent issue plaguing me at the competition. "Remember how during the Moon Alliance Program, there was always that group of girls talking shit about us?"

Thalia grimaced. "That experience was a fucking nightmare."

"Well, I'm dealing with something similar at the fashion design competition. There are three designers who absolutely hate me, and every time they see me, they never miss an opportunity to say horrible things about me within earshot."

Thalia set down her coffee cup and cleared her throat, leaning closer. "So... do we report this to Ezra and have him send people to handle those bitches, or do we go teach them a lesson ourselves? I'm giving you the choice."

I shook my head firmly. "We're doing neither."

"Why not?"

"Because telling Ezra would make me look like a weakling who needs protection," I explained. "And taking action myself would get me disqualified from the competition."

"Fine, if that's what you want," Thalia said, though I could tell she was disappointed. I knew she preferred the direct approach—the same way she handled things in the arena.

"I can handle them myself. I promise."

---

After spending the entire day chatting and doing random stuff with Thalia, evening arrived. Orion had appeared a few hours earlier but couldn't keep up with our pace, so he'd retreated to his study to work.

When it was time for me to head back, Orion offered to drive me.

But as I stepped outside, I was surprised to see Ezra standing in the driveway next to his luxury sedan.

*I'm not even surprised anymore.*

I glared at Orion. "Traitor!"

Orion shrugged, avoiding my gaze. "If I didn't tell him you were here, I'd still be a traitor. That's just how things work at Silver Moon Group."

I hugged Thalia goodbye and wished her good night, then reluctantly walked toward the car.

After getting into the backseat, Ezra slid in beside me. Once Cade started the engine, I kept my eyes fixed on the window, even though all my senses were screaming at me to turn and face him.

"Is this how it's going to be?" Ezra asked quietly, his low, magnetic voice making it impossible for me to resist.

I turned to glare at him.

"Can't you just stop chasing after me?" I demanded.

"I won't. I can't."

"What the hell do you want from me?" I asked, my voice tight with tension.

"I think you already know the answer to that question."

"No, I don't!"

Ezra's expression grew serious, his eyes never leaving mine. "Isolde, I want you back in my life. I won't say I want us to go back to the relationship we had before you left two years ago, because that was a shitty relationship. I want more. I want to build something better with you."

I held my breath, staring at his earnest face.

"I want to have an official relationship with you," he continued. "I want to claim you. To introduce you to all of Silver Moon Group and werewolf society as my mate and future Luna. Isolde, I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"What about Lillian?" I asked suddenly, nodding for emphasis. "Yes. She's your fated mate. You can't just ignore her."

Ezra paused, looking genuinely shocked. "I know... but..."

"So you're confused," I accused.

"I'm not!" he protested repeatedly.

"Then why did you go see her?"

"...Because I wanted to make sure... to understand why the Moon Goddess sent her to me when I already have you."

"So your attention is divided," I concluded.

The car fell into painful silence. Ezra looked at me with tears in his eyes, like he was about to break down.

"Ezra," I said finally, my voice steady despite the chaos in my heart. "If you want to be with me, then you need to choose me and let her go. If that's not within your capabilities, then let me be with a man who only needs one woman in his life."