Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 308

Ezra's POV

The rage coursing through my veins felt like liquid fire as I stood outside Lillian's apartment. My jaw was clenched so tight I thought my teeth might crack. After everything Orion had just revealed—every fucking lie, every manipulation—I felt like my brain might explode if I didn't confront her immediately.

I had to know the truth. All of it.

A well-dressed maid answered the door, her eyes widening slightly when she recognized me. "Mr. Silverwood," she said with a respectful bow of her head.

I gave her a curt nod, my mind racing faster than my heart was beating. I was trying to keep myself calm, not wanting to blow this from the start, even though everything inside me felt like it was on fire. If Orion's intel was accurate, then Lillian was far from the innocent, traumatized woman she pretended to be. I'd have to be careful dealing with someone this cunning.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"Miss Torres is in her bedroom, sir," the housekeeper replied.

Perfect. This conversation was going to be extremely sensitive, and I didn't want anyone overhearing or spreading rumors throughout Silver Moon Group. I needed to go to her directly.

"I'll see myself up," I said, already heading toward the bedroom.

My mind was spinning, my heart pounding harder than usual. I was trying to force myself to stay calm, not wanting to make this seem like a big deal right off the bat—even though it fucking was. If what Orion discovered was true, then Lillian was a snake who'd been playing games with me from day one.

I reached her suite door and took a deep breath before knocking.

"Come in," her melodic voice called from inside.

I turned the handle carefully, took another steadying breath, and pushed open the door.

What I saw made me freeze in the doorway.

"Damn!" I cursed under my breath, immediately spinning around and taking a step back.

Lillian stood completely naked in front of me, wearing nothing but a seductive smile. Her bare skin gleamed in the afternoon light streaming through the windows, and every curve of her body was on full display.

"Why did you tell me to come in when you knew you weren't wearing any clothes?" I demanded, my voice low and furious, eyes fixed firmly on the floor.

She let out a soft, practiced laugh that only made my anger spike higher.

"Are you kidding me?" she purred, her tone dripping with false innocence. "What's wrong with seeing my body?"

Her casual attitude about this whole situation was infuriating. I kept my eyes locked on the marble tiles, fighting the urge to look at her again.

"Everything is wrong with it," I said coldly.

She laughed even more brazenly.

"Come on, Ezra. Don't make me laugh. Every part of my body—you've seen it, touched it, kissed it. There's no reason to be shy now. You can look."

That was it. I was done with this shit.

"Get dressed and meet me in the room next door," I commanded, then turned and walked out before I lost my cool and did something I'd regret.

I strode into the room next door and immediately felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. Seeing another woman's naked body—even though it wasn't my fault—made me feel absolutely terrible. Like I'd somehow betrayed Isolde, even though logically I knew this wasn't on me.

"Why does everything have to be so fucking complicated?" I muttered to myself, running my hands through my hair in frustration.

Winning back Isolde's trust. Figuring out Lillian's real motives for returning to Silver Moon. Resisting Lillian's obvious attempts at seduction. My entire body felt like it was on fire, and my stress levels had to be hitting new records.

I let out a heavy sigh and raked my fingers through my hair again, releasing a low growl of annoyance.

Two minutes later, Lillian entered the room wearing a flowing silk robe, that same smile playing on her lips.

I wanted her to drop that fake-ass smile. I was angry at her manipulation, and I'd already decided I wouldn't be swayed by her charm or crocodile tears. I was going to get to the bottom of whatever game she was playing.

"You really didn't need to leave just because I wasn't wearing clothes," she said with a flirtatious laugh, moving closer to me.

"I had to leave," I said firmly.

She stopped a few feet away from me, maintaining that same knowing smile as she studied my face.

"I see," she said slowly. "Is it because of that girl?"

"You mean Isolde?" I asked.

"Is there anyone else?"

"I asked you first."

"Yes," she said calmly. "I mean Isolde."

"Yes. Because of Isolde."

"You're surprisingly loyal to her."

"I love her. I don't want to do anything that might taint the bond between us."

Lillian's expression shifted slightly, something darker flickering behind her eyes.

"I understand..." she said carefully. "But what about me? I'm still your fated mate. We've been apart for five years, but we still have a connection. We have a bond that you're equally obligated to honor."

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. The sheer audacity of this woman was unbelievable. She was asking me to honor a bond that she had tainted with her own betrayal all those years ago. The irony was almost amusing.

"This whole thing seems a bit confused," I said, clearing my throat and taking two steps closer to her. My Alpha aura leaked out slightly, and I was satisfied to see her smile finally disappear and her expression turn serious.

I considered my words carefully, not wanting to tip my hand too early.

"Lillian," I said after a long pause.

"Yes, Ezra."

Here it was. The moment of truth.

"Five years ago, when we discovered we were fated mates, I remember asking you three times if you had a boyfriend. And three times, you denied it. Why did you lie?"