Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 314

Isolde's POV

*That meeting with Lillian didn't make me want to give up on Ezra—it made me more determined than ever to be with him.*

I found myself remembering all the times Ezra had hurt me in the past, but also those moments—those incredible, heart-stopping moments that made my cheeks burn and my pulse race—that kept replaying in my head like a broken record.

*He's a good man at his core. If there's one thing I can be certain of, it's that he loves me and wants to be with me. And I want to be with him too.*

"Isolde..." Thalia's voice cut through my internal plotting. "You've been scowling and shaking your head ever since you got here. If you don't tell me what's going on right now, I'm going to have an anxiety attack!"

She set down her tablet and fixed me with those piercing green eyes of hers, demanding answers.

I couldn't help but smile slightly. "I'm just... shocked, that's all." My fingers unconsciously traced the armrest of the sofa.

Thalia's impatience was written all over her face, her curiosity practically radiating from her. Those green eyes of hers sparkled with the need to know what was eating at me.

"I just got back from hospital," I explained.

Her face immediately shifted to panic mode. "Hospital? Are you sick?" The worry in her voice was genuine as she leaned closer to me.

I shook my head, running my fingers through my chestnut hair. "No, I'm not sick."

I took a breath before continuing. "Ezra got a call from one of Lillian's servants saying she'd slit her wrists and was rushed to the hospital. I demanded to go with him, so he took me to see her."

"Ugh." Thalia made a disgusted sound, rolling her eyes and letting out a dismissive laugh. Her entire face showed just how uninterested she was in Lillian's drama. "What a drama queen. Such a cliché attention-seeking move."

"She looked and sounded exactly like that," I agreed. "Completely planned and rehearsed."

Thalia studied my face carefully. "I don't want you getting involved in her theatrics."

I straightened up, my blue eyes flashing with determination. "Actually, I'm already involved." I paused, letting that sink in. "And I want to be involved."

Thalia looked confused, then alarmed. "Isolde..." Her voice carried a warning tone. "You're starting to worry me. Why would you want to get yourself involved in Lillian's drama?"

I took a deep breath and said it plainly: "Because she's a bitch!" The word came out calm but loaded with venom.

Thalia's eyebrows shot up to her hairline, confusion deepening on her face.

"Ezra left to talk to the doctor, and we had a little confrontation in her hospital room," I continued, my hands unconsciously clenching into fists at the memory.

Thalia gasped like she'd just seen a ghost, her eyes going wide. "What?"

"Yes!" I confirmed.

"Why did you two fight?"

I explained patiently, "You know I'm not petty, even though I don't particularly like her. I was standing there calmly, and then she started provoking me, so I had to fight back." I detailed what had happened: "She said she was back to reclaim her place in Ezra's life, that I should stay away from him because my time with him was over. She even implied that she was the real Luna."

"That bitch!" Thalia exploded. "Who does she think she is? Disappearing for years and then suddenly coming back expecting to reclaim everything?"

"That's exactly what I told her when she said that to me. She's the worst!"

Thalia's anger seemed to ignite my own suppressed fury. "The absolute nerve! Such an entitled little brat! If anyone's time with Ezra is over, it's hers, not yours! Who does she think she is? Just because she used to be his fated mate?"

I gazed out the window at the city lights twinkling in the darkness. "She also hopes to get back together with Ezra. She was very confident that he'd take her back."

Thalia shook her head firmly. "She's not prepared for the disappointment that's coming her way. It's going to hit her hard! Ezra isn't the same young Alpha he was back then."

I voiced my doubt in a low whisper: "Don't be so confident. Ezra might actually choose her, you know. They have history together."

"That'll happen when hell freezes over," Thalia shot back, shaking her head vigorously. "You're his second chance, Isolde."

She reached out and took my hand seriously. "Isolde... that man loves you. Even if he hasn't realized it himself yet."

My heart skipped a beat, warmth flooding my stomach as I stared at the gentle but serious expression on Thalia's face. *Does he love me?* I bit my lower lip to hide my smile.

"I bet right now he doesn't want to be with any other woman except you! I've seen how he looks at you," Thalia continued with certainty.

A deep blush spread from my neck all the way up to my face. "I love hearing that."

*No matter what Lillian says, Ezra is still my fated mate. We have a soul bond that hasn't been broken, and I want to protect that bond.*

While Orion worked to expose Lillian's real motives for returning, I would focus on making sure nothing developed between her and my mate.

*He's mine!*

Just then, the door opened and Orion rushed out, looking absolutely terrified, like something horrible had happened. His amber eyes flickered with worry.

"Orion!" Thalia called out, jumping up from the sofa. I stood up too. "Why do you look so panicked? What happened?"

"Someone leaked news of Lillian's return within the company. The executives and all the departments know she's here. The entire Silver Moon Group is in chaos right now, and I need to meet with Nathaniel and the others to figure out how to handle this." He was already turning to leave before he finished the last sentence.

The door closed behind Orion with a soft thud, leaving us in silence.

Thalia and I exchanged confused glances, worry flickering in my blue eyes.

Orion's words replayed in my mind, making my heart race. *This is not good. This is not good at all!*

My worry deepened: "Now that the executives know Ezra has to choose between his two fated mates, the entire Silver Moon Group is going to be turned upside down. Those executives are going to start taking sides."

After a moment of silence, Thalia made an accusation: "I bet Lillian had something to do with this. This kind of leak benefits her."

I nodded. "I totally agree with you. Lillian leaked the news of her return. This is part of her plan."

"But I won't let her succeed."