Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 38

**Isolde's POV**

 

The full moon hung heavy outside my window, its silver light streaming through the curtains and making sleep impossible. My skin felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending hyperaware and screaming for relief. I'd kicked off the covers hours ago, but nothing helped the burning sensation that radiated from my core outward.

 

*What the hell is happening to me?*

 

This had never happened before. In all my years as a werewolf, every previous full moon had passed with nothing more than a slight restlessness, maybe some enhanced senses. I'd always wondered why other wolves complained about moon sickness or spoke in hushed tones about the "effects" of lunar cycles.

 

*Now I understood.*

 

I pressed my thighs together, trying to ease the throbbing ache between my legs, but it only made things worse. My body was betraying me, responding to some primal call I'd never experienced. Every breath felt labored, every heartbeat echoed through my hypersensitive skin.

 

*This is what they meant by moon fever.*

 

The worst part was the unfamiliar intensity of the sexual hunger coursing through me. I'd never felt anything like this raw, desperate need that made me want to claw at my own skin.

 

*Why now? Why is this happening now?*

 

*I need to move. I need to do something before I lose my mind.*

 

Throwing on workout clothes, I slipped out of my room and made my way through the darkened corridors toward the battle arena. Physical exertion was the only thing that might burn off this restless energy consuming me from the inside out.

 

The arena was empty and dimly lit, exactly what I needed. I went straight for the heavy punching bag, not bothering with gloves or proper warm-up. The first impact sent shockwaves through my arms, but it felt good—finally, something to channel this overwhelming sensation into.

 

I lost myself in the rhythm of striking, sweat beginning to soak through my sports bra and tank top. Each punch released a fraction of the tension coiling in my muscles, though it did nothing for the deeper ache that pulsed with every heartbeat.

 

*Better. This is better.*

 

*Why didn't I feel this during the last full moon? Or any full moon before that?* The question nagged at me as I continued my assault on the bag.

 

*What's changed?*

 

I was so focused on my assault against the bag that I didn't hear the doors open behind me.

 

"Couldn't sleep either?"

 

I spun around, my heart jumping into my throat. Ezra stood in the doorway, still in his business clothes but with his shirt sleeves rolled up and his tie loosened. Even in the dim lighting, I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw was clenched tight.

 

*Oh, fuck no. Not now.*

 

"I was just—" I started, then stopped, realizing how I must look. Sweaty, disheveled, my tank top clinging to my body in ways that left nothing to the imagination.

 

He stepped further into the arena, and I caught his scent—that intoxicating combination of power and masculinity that made my wolf whimper with need. The moonlight streaming through the high windows seemed to make everything more intense, more charged with electricity.

 

The moment our gazes connected, everything else disappeared. The burning sensation that had been driving me crazy all night suddenly focused and intensified, centering on the growing wetness between my thighs. My nipples tightened painfully against the fabric of my sports bra, and I could feel myself getting wetter by the second.

 

*Oh god, it's getting worse.*

 

Heat pooled low in my belly, dampening my thighs as my skin prickled with awareness. My legs weakened treacherously, and I feared they might give way entirely.

 

"Alpha Ezra..." I whispered, my voice breaking with need I couldn't control.

 

My body ached with a primal hunger I'd never experienced before. A shameful, uncontrollable thought flashed through my mind: I wanted him to fuck me right here. I wanted to feel his big cock inside my pussy, filling the emptiness that burned between my thighs. The intensity of this desire shocked me—I'd never even had sex before, yet here I was, practically melting at his touch, desperate for him to claim me completely.

 

But that thought terrified me. I could never do that!

 

"Would you like to spar?" he asked, his voice dropping to that dangerous tone that made my knees weak.

 

*Spar? With him? Like this? When I can barely think straight?*

 

"I—" I glanced down at myself, acutely aware of how my sweat-soaked tank top was practically transparent, clinging to every curve. My face felt flushed and hot, and I was sure he could see exactly how affected I was. "I'm pretty sweaty already."

 

*And experiencing things I've never felt before, but let's not mention that part.*

 

His proximity made the air feel electric, charged with something dangerous and irresistible. I could smell his arousal now too—musky and masculine and absolutely intoxicating. The scent sent another wave of unfamiliar heat straight to my core.

 

"Are you alright?" he asked, his brow furrowing with what looked like genuine concern.

 

"I'm fine," I lied, taking a step backward.

 

"Isolde." The way he said my name made me freeze mid-retreat. There was something in his tone, something that spoke directly to the wolf pacing frantically beneath my skin.

 

*We need to get out of here. Now. Before I do something I'll regret.*

 

But before I could move, he was shrugging out of his suit jacket, the expensive fabric sliding off his broad shoulders with practiced ease.

 

"Here," he said, holding it out to me. "Put this on before you go out and catch cold."

 

*Cold?* I was practically burning alive, but I found myself accepting the jacket anyway. The moment the fabric settled around my shoulders, I was enveloped in his scent—rich and warm and utterly masculine. It was like being wrapped in temptation itself.

 

The sensation was so intense it nearly brought me to my knees. This was what I'd been craving without knowing it—his scent, his warmth, something that belonged to him wrapped around me like a claim.

 

"Thank you," I managed, clutching the jacket closed even though it felt like adding kindling to an already raging fire.

 

"Get some rest," he said softly, but his eyes were still burning into mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.

 

I nodded quickly and turned toward the exit, desperate to escape before I did something monumentally stupid. Like throwing myself into his arms and begging him to fuck me.

 

*Almost there. Just keep walking.*

 

But as I reached the doors, Lyra's voice cut through my panicked thoughts with crystalline clarity.

 

*Now I understand... I think... No, I know he IS our mate!*

 

I stumbled, catching myself against the doorframe.

 

*That's why this is happening now. That's why you've never felt moon fever before. You weren't near your fated mate.*

 

*The moon enhances the bond,* she explained, her voice thrumming with absolute certainty. *Your body recognizes what your mind hasn't accepted yet. He is ours!*

 

*What the actual fuck?*

 

I fled as if I were seeing a ghost!