Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 313

Isolde's POV

I stared at Lillian, feeling shock and complete confusion wash over me like ice water. After five years of absence, she was suddenly back, reclaiming her position as Alpha Ezra's mate and her Luna status like she'd never left at all.

Lillian smiled at me, the expression bright and satisfied. I had to admit, Orion's judgment about this woman was spot on. I was beginning to understand why this investigation was so damn important.

"Am I shocking you speechless?" Lillian asked, her smile turning smug and triumphant.

I let out a small laugh and nodded. "Yes, you did it."

Her smile widened with obvious delight. "If you dare give me trouble, I'll shock you even more."

I felt my spine straighten, my wolf Lyra stirring with irritation. *This bitch thinks she can threaten us?*

"What do you think Alpha Ezra is?" I asked, stepping closer to her bed. "A fool? A toy? Some idiot you can disappear from and come back to whenever you please, expecting him to welcome you with open arms just because you used to be his mate?"

Lillian's eyes gleamed with arrogance. "I'm still his mate."

"I'm his mate too," I shot back without hesitation.

She looked at me with undisguised contempt. "Didn't I make it clear that you're just my replacement? Now that I'm back, you're no longer needed."

The audacity of this woman was fucking unbelievable. I could feel anger building in my chest, hot and fierce.

"We're real people," I said, my voice growing stronger with each word. "Not objects to be discarded and replaced at will. I have just as much right to him as you do. If the Moon Goddess was truly satisfied with your bond, she would have kept him mateless all these years while you were gone. But she sent me to him, and that means a lot. So get down from your high horse."

Lillian's smile finally disappeared. She shifted in the hospital bed, adjusting her position to glare at me with undisguised hostility. I glared right back, matching her intensity.

"Are you sure you want to fight me?" Lillian asked, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

I took two deliberate steps forward. "That's what I should be asking you. Are you sure you want to fight me?"

Lillian let out a small laugh and looked away. I felt a surge of adrenaline rush through me, enjoying this confrontation more than I should have. The thrill of standing my ground felt intoxicating.

When she looked back at me, her eyes were cold and calculating. "Fine. Since you want to play this game, let's begin."

*Here we go.*

"Good," I said, crossing my arms. "Because I need to tell you something, and you're going to listen."

I took a deep breath. "When I first heard you were back, I was heartbroken. I'll admit that freely."

"I don't care about—" Lillian tried to interrupt.

"I'm not finished. Be quiet!" I snapped, my voice sharp enough to make her eyes widen in surprise.

She actually looked stunned that I'd spoken to her that way.

"As I was saying," I continued, my voice steady and controlled, "I was originally willing to step aside and give up my love for Ezra. I was prepared to walk away and let you have him back, even though it would have destroyed me."

Lillian's expression shifted, uncertainty creeping into her features.

"But then I discovered what kind of person you really are, you bitch." The word came out with all the venom I felt. "Ezra is a good man and a good Alpha. He doesn't deserve to be paired with a cheap bitch like you."

Her face was turning red, anger making her features twist.

"You will never have a place in Ezra's life again," I declared, my voice ringing with absolute certainty. "I'll make sure of that. If you want to fight me for him, bring it on. But I'll win. He's my man now. Your time is over."

Lillian's face was now red as a beet, and she looked ready to explode with rage. I could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. She was completely unable to believe what she'd just heard.

"You're one tough bitch," she finally managed to spit out.

I raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Yeah, I'm glad you understand that. You're dealing with a tough bitch, so be ready!"

I turned to leave, feeling satisfied. *My work here is done.*

But just as I reached the door, it opened, and Ezra walked in.

When he saw me, the frown on his face disappeared completely. My heart skipped a beat.

"Hey..." he said softly, reaching for my hand. "Are you leaving?"

I started to explain. "Yes, I just got a call from my teammates about something I need to—"

"Alpha Ezra..." Lillian's voice cut through my words.

I turned to see her face completely wet with tears. My eyebrows furrowed in shock. Where the hell had those tears come from?

Ezra immediately released my hand and rushed to Lillian's bedside. "Lillian, is everything okay? Why are you crying?"

Lillian's sobs grew louder, and she started crying like a beaten child. I had to suppress a laugh. I could see right through this performance.

"I'll leave you two alone now..." I started to say.

"No... Iso..." Ezra began, but Lillian grabbed his hand, stopping him. He looked at her in confusion.

"Please," Lillian pleaded, her voice trembling with fake vulnerability. "I'm feeling very weak right now. I want to take a nap, but I don't think I can fall asleep unless you hold me."

Ezra looked surprised. "Hold you?"

He glanced at me, then back at Lillian, shaking his head. "I can't do that."

"Please... I'm begging you, hold me," Lillian continued to plead.

This was it. This was my moment to turn her manipulation back on her.

"Do it," I said firmly.

Ezra looked shocked. I nodded at him. "If she says she can't sleep unless you hold her, then do it. We don't want her condition to get worse."

"Isolde... I can't," Ezra protested.

I looked directly at Lillian, who was watching our exchange with keen interest. "I promise I won't be angry with you. Just do whatever makes her happy."

"Are you sure?" Ezra asked, his voice uncertain.

I smiled, my gaze still locked on Lillian. "Yes."

I could see the message in my eyes, my words, and my smile reaching Lillian loud and clear. The fear in her eyes intensified, telling me she understood exactly what I was communicating.

*You want to play games? Let's play.*

"I'm leaving now," I announced.

"I'll call you," Ezra said.

I looked at him with a meaningful smile. "I expect more than just a phone call. Our dinner was ruined. You owe me."

Ezra's eyes widened, and my smile grew wider.

I walked out of the hospital room.

*Lillian won't be able to sleep tonight,* I thought with deep satisfaction.