Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 328

Isolde's POV

The elevator climbed toward the top floors of Silver Moon Tower, and my heart was beating like a fucking time bomb. Each floor that passed made my anxiety spike higher, until I was practically vibrating with nervous energy.

*What the hell were you thinking, coming here without warning?* I asked myself for the hundredth time. *This was such a stupid idea.*

But I'd already committed. The security guard beside me maintained professional silence, his eyes fixed straight ahead as we ascended. I stared at my reflection in the polished elevator doors, smoothing down my hair and trying to look like I belonged here.

Two years ago, I'd been a regular visitor to this building. Now here I was again, but this time as a free woman—sort of.

The elevator dinged softly as we reached the executive floor. My stomach did a little flip.

"This way, Miss Blackwood," the guard said politely, leading me down the familiar hallway toward Ezra's office.

With each step, my nervousness intensified. I hadn't told him I was coming. This spontaneous decision was starting to feel like a massive mistake.

But I had to do this. The sabotage investigation was over, Ivy Price had been dealt with, and I owed Ezra a proper thank you for keeping his word. He'd promised to investigate what happened to my equipment, and he'd delivered. The least I could do was acknowledge that in person.

The guard stopped outside the imposing double doors of Ezra's office and raised his hand to knock.

Before his knuckles could connect with the wood, the door swung open with surprising force.

Alpha Ezra stood in the doorway, and the sheer power radiating from him nearly knocked me off my feet. When his eyes landed on me, his expression shifted from business-like focus to complete shock.

He blinked several times, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Isolde," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The security guard bowed respectfully. "Alpha, Miss Blackwood requested to see you."

Ezra's gray eyes never left my face. "Your pheromones," he said suddenly, his voice rough. "I could smell them from inside my office. They've been... disrupting my thoughts."

Heat flooded my cheeks. The idea that my scent could affect him so strongly sent a thrill through me that I tried desperately to suppress.

"Prime told me you were here," Ezra continued, referring to his wolf. "But I thought I was imagining things."

The security guard cleared his throat gently. "Shall I leave you to your meeting, Alpha?"

"Yes," Ezra said without looking away from me. "Thank you."

The guard bowed again and headed back toward the elevators, leaving us alone in the hallway.

I felt my heart do this ridiculous fluttering thing as I watched Ezra's face. The way he was looking at me—like I was some kind of miracle—made me want to smile so badly that I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself.

*My heart feels like it's been filled with an entire cup of honey tea,* I thought, warmth spreading through my chest.

"I wanted to give you a surprise," I said, trying to sound casual despite my racing pulse.

Ezra's lips curved into a genuine smile. "Well, you definitely succeeded. I can't remember the last time I was this shocked." He rubbed his arm absently. "I actually got goosebumps. I never would have dreamed you'd come to Silver Moon headquarters to see me."

He stepped back, gesturing toward his office. "Please, come in."

I followed him into the familiar space. Everything looked exactly the same as I remembered.

We settled onto the same leather sofa, sitting closer than was probably necessary. I couldn't help but notice his broad shoulders, thinking about the powerful muscles underneath.

*You're such a slut!* Lyra scolded in my mind, but I ignored her. Sue me for appreciating the view.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Ezra asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

"I wanted to give you a surprise," I repeated, and this time I didn't try to hide my smile.

His eyes lit up. "Well, mission accomplished. You caught me completely off guard." He leaned back slightly, studying my face. "What brings you here?"

I straightened, remembering my purpose. "The person who sabotaged my equipment—they've been caught and dealt with. I came to thank you for keeping your promise to investigate."

Ezra's expression grew more serious. "Nathaniel was the primary investigator," he said carefully. "But I'll make sure he knows you appreciate the work."

Before I could respond, the office door opened and Orion walked in, carrying a tablet and a folder. When he saw us on the sofa together, he stopped short.

"Shit, sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't realize you had company. I can come back later."

I started to stand. "I should go. You have important business to—"

Ezra's hand caught mine, gently but firmly pulling me back down. "You're not an interruption," he said, his voice intense. "If anything's an interruption, it's the meeting interrupting my time with you, not the other way around."

My breath caught at the certainty in his voice.

Orion shifted uncomfortably. "It'll only take a few minutes."

"Handle it yourself," Ezra said without hesitation. "Whatever it is, I trust your judgment."

Orion's eyebrows shot up. I could tell from the way he was holding the folder that this wasn't just a simple security briefing. The folder looked like the kind of important documents that couldn't wait.

"Are you sure?" Orion asked.

"I'm sure," Ezra interrupted firmly. He stood up and moved closer to me, taking both my hands in his. The contact sent electricity shooting through my entire body.

Then he leaned down and kissed my forehead, soft and sweet and completely unexpected. My heart stuttered to a stop before resuming its rhythm at double time.

"I don't care what important meetings are scheduled for today," Ezra said, his voice low and intense. "Today, I only want to spend time with you."

Orion looked between us, clearly recognizing a lost cause when he saw one. "Understood. I'll reschedule everything." He headed for the door, then paused. "For what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice."

After Orion left, I stared up at Ezra, my cheeks burning. This time I didn't try to hide my smile.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked. "Abandoning work for the day?"

"Absolutely certain," he said without hesitation. "How about we start with lunch?"

"That sounds perfect," I said, meaning every word.

Ezra pulled out his phone and dialed. "Nathaniel? I need you to reschedule all my meetings and video conferences for today... Yes, all of them... Something more important came up."

As we headed toward his private elevator, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen, and I caught a glimpse of the name: Lillian.

Without a second's hesitation, he declined the call.

My smile widened, and I felt a wicked sense of triumph surge through me. *God, I'm such a bad woman!* I thought, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

Today was going to be a very good day.