Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 315

Ezra's POV

The sound of urgent footsteps echoing through the corridor reached my ears before Orion burst through my office door.

"Who the hell would spread this kind of news so blatantly?" Orion demanded, his voice tight with anxiety as he paced toward my desk.

Nathaniel, who had been sitting across from me in stoic silence.

"I'll admit, I was just as shocked when I heard about it," I said.

"The security and staff at Silver Moon Group would never violate your orders. Never!" Nathaniel's voice cut through the tension with absolute certainty. "They all know the consequences of going against your wishes. This kind of news couldn't have leaked from inside."

I frowned, studying Nathaniel's face. His tone suggested he had more to say. "What exactly are you getting at?"

Nathaniel's expression hardened as he delivered his theory. "Lillian was very likely involved in this information leak."

The accusation hung in the air between us. I waited for him to elaborate.

"The first sign she showed of unstable tendencies was when she tried to kill herself just to get your attention," Nathaniel continued, his voice steady and analytical. "This woman is extremely dangerous."

*Is this the Moon Goddess's punishment for me?* I wondered bitterly. *Bringing back the fated mate I thought died five years ago, just to torment me?*

"This is absolutely ridiculous," I muttered under my breath.

"On my way here, I already instructed the IT department to delete those social media posts and issue statements claiming they're false information," Nathaniel reported efficiently. "You could also make a statement to the public and the group, denying the news of her being here."

I shook my head firmly, rejecting the suggestion immediately. "Denying she's here would only add fuel to the fire, Nathaniel. The news is already out there. And if Lillian did leak this information herself, then our denial would only prompt her to prepare more backup plans. I won't fall into her game."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened with concern. "People will discover that you have two potential Lunas, and they'll expect you to make a choice."

"That means I need to accelerate the investigation," I concluded, my voice hardening with resolve. "We need to find out Lillian's real motives before she takes more extreme action."

The truth was painful but clear—I had no love left for Lillian. I only wanted Isolde. But the Moon Goddess must have brought Lillian back for a reason, and I had to uncover the truth before making any decisions.

"Take immediate action," I ordered. "I need to find out Lillian's motives and decide how to handle her before she creates more chaos."

I rubbed my temples wearily, a realization dawning on me. "No wonder she begged to move into my penthouse. She's already started implementing her plan."

Orion, who had been listening intently, stepped forward. "She what?"

"Yeah, she asked to move into my penthouse, to live with me as my fated mate," I explained, feeling a bitter taste in my mouth.

Nathaniel's scrutinizing gaze fixed on me. "Does she know about Isolde's existence?"

I nodded grimly. "Yes. Isolde and I went to the hospital together, and I introduced them to each other."

Orion's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "So she knows you have another fated mate, that you've been with Isolde for the past two years, yet she still acts like she has the right to live with you?"

"Exactly," I confirmed.

"What was your response to her request?" Orion pressed.

"I refused, of course," I said firmly. "I would never let her move into my private space. What would Isolde think?"

To my surprise, Orion leaned forward with a suggestion that made my blood run cold. "I suggest you agree to her demand."

"Are you fucking insane?" The words exploded from my lips before I could stop them.

Orion held up his hands, his expression serious. "Listen to me. Lillian came back to reclaim her place in your life, using her fated mate status, not caring about Isolde's existence. The key questions are: what made her come back now? Where has she been for the past five years?"

He paused, "Lillian most likely disappeared with her lover—they vanished on the same day. Her kidnapping story has no substantial evidence because she's been 'evasive and vague' about it. If you let Lillian move in, she'll think she's gradually achieving her goal. She'll let her guard down. You just need to play along with her game temporarily, and you'll discover the truth about where she's been these past five years."

The logic was sound, but every fiber of my being rebelled against it. "It makes sense logically, and I do want to end this investigation quickly, but..."

"I'll talk to Isolde," Orion interrupted, understanding my primary concern.

"Yes," he continued confidently. "I know what you're most worried about. You're afraid Isolde will feel betrayed by you letting your former fated mate live with you."

"I'm not afraid!" I shot back, "I'm certain. She'll misunderstand this arrangement and might never want to see me again."

Orion's expression softened with understanding. "I'll explain the entire plan to her. She'll understand. You know how rational she is."

I felt the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. "Yes. Especially if you're the one explaining it, she might understand. But the thought of being around Lillian disgusts me."

Nathaniel's voice cut through my reluctance with a sharp challenge: "Why does it disgust you? Do you still have feelings for her?"

My head whipped around to glare at him. "Absolutely not!"

"Are you still attracted to her? Meaning, if you were alone together, would you consider being intimate with her?" Nathaniel pressed, his questions like surgical cuts.

"Of course not!" I declared vehemently.

"Then there shouldn't be a problem," Nathaniel concluded with cold logic.

"Exactly!" Orion agreed.

I looked between them coldly, feeling like I was being ganged up on and forced into a corner I didn't want to be in.

Nathaniel reinforced Orion's plan with his own analysis. "Let her move into the penthouse. Monitor her closely. Just like Orion said, it's only a matter of time before she lets her guard down and starts revealing clues about her past five years."

"Fine," I conceded reluctantly, though every cell in my body was screaming in protest against this plan.

*I've been looking forward to bringing Isolde back to my penthouse, not Lillian. This is a fucking nightmare.*

"I have to go see Isolde," I said, standing abruptly. "This news has definitely reached her by now, and she must be confused. I need to assure her that everything is under my control."

Orion waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry about Isolde. She's with Thalia right now, and Thalia will give her all the necessary explanations and support."

"Go back to your penthouse and prepare for Lillian to move in," Orion instructed with what sounded almost like amusement.

My jaw twitched, and a flash of anger sparked in my eyes.

*I absolutely fucking hate this impossible situation I'm in!*