Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 44

**Isolde's POV**

 

I hesitated at the entrance to Silver Moon Group's underground Battle Arena My heart sank when I spotted Evanthe adjusting her pristine white training gear near the sparring mats.

 

My first instinct was to turn around and leave before she noticed me. After our confrontation in my room—with her threats about Ezra still ringing in my ears—the last thing I wanted was another encounter with Silver Moon's vindictive PR Director.

 

"Isolde! Over here!" 

 

Nyssa's enthusiastic voice shattered any hope of a quiet retreat. Her loud greeting echoed across the training center, drawing everyone's attention—including Evanthe's. I froze as the PR Director's cold blue eyes locked onto me, her perfect lips curving into what might have appeared to be a friendly smile to anyone who didn't know better.

 

"Hey, warrior girl!" Nyssa jogged over and grabbed my arm, practically dragging me toward the high-end relaxation area where the fighters stored their designer gym bags. "You're early today. Eager to get started?"

 

I offered a stiff smile, hyperaware of Evanthe's gaze tracking my every movement. "Just trying to be punctual," I replied.

 

"Security Director Hawthorne's sister will be joining our elite training session today," Nyssa mentioned casually, nodding toward Evanthe. "Special treat, huh?"

 

"Yes, Evanthe, the PR Director. I know they're siblings," I said, setting down my gym bag.

 

Nyssa's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're already familiar with the Hawthorne family dynamics? Most new Alliance girls don't know anything about the internal relationships around here."

 

I shrugged, pretending to be far more comfortable than I actually felt. "Thalia filled me in on some of the corporate structure."

 

"Well, it's hard to believe those two came from the same bloodline," Nyssa remarked, lowering her voice as she began her stretches. "Orion is the consummate professional—calm, controlled, gentlemanly to a fault. Evanthe, on the other hand..." She glanced over her shoulder before continuing, "She's Silver Moon's resident she-devil. Every Alliance girl's worst nightmare."

 

My heart rate accelerated instantly, sweat beading on my palms. I wasn't naive—Evanthe's presence here wasn't coincidental. This was calculated. After our confrontation about Ezra, she was making a point to invade the one space where I'd found some sense of belonging.

 

"Maybe I should head back to the Alliance residence," I suggested, trying to keep my voice steady. "I just remembered there's another assignment I should be—"

 

"Oh no, you don't," Nyssa interrupted, gripping my wrist. "You're not leaving me alone with her."

 

Before I could protest further, a honeyed voice sliced through our conversation.

 

"Isolde, darling. A moment, please?"

 

Nyssa dropped my wrist like it had burned her. "I just remembered I need to... check the equipment inventory," she mumbled before practically sprinting away.

 

 

Evanthe approached with deliberate grace, her training shoes making barely a sound on the polished floor. Her professional smile was perfectly calculated—warm enough to fool observers, cold enough for me to feel the threat beneath.

 

"I've decided to participate in today's elite training program," she announced, as if I'd asked for her schedule. "It's important for executives to maintain peak physical condition, don't you agree?"

 

"Absolutely," I replied, matching her professional tone. "Physical fitness is essential for optimal performance."

 

She leaned closer, her expensive perfume invading my space. "Do be careful today, dear. High-intensity training can be so unpredictable. Accidents happen all the time." Her perfect smile never wavered. "Perhaps you'll return to the Alliance residence with a broken leg. Wouldn't that be unfortunate?"

 

I met her gaze directly, refusing to show fear despite my racing heart. "That's certainly a possibility. Thankfully, not an inevitability. I'll make sure to manage that risk appropriately."

 

Something flickered in her eyes—surprise, perhaps, that I hadn't cowered before her threat.

 

"My, my. You've grown more... assertive since your arrival at Silver Moon," she observed, her voice dangerously soft.

 

"I've had excellent role models for professional development," I replied evenly. "You've been quite inspirational, actually."

 

The double meaning wasn't lost on her. Her perfect smile tightened almost imperceptibly before she turned away with practiced corporate grace, leaving me with a knot of dread in my stomach.

 

The training center's entrance opened once more, and Security Director Orion strode in, his powerful frame showcased by custom athletic wear. The warriors straightened automatically, respect evident in their postures.

 

"Good morning," he greeted, amber eyes scanning the room before settling briefly on me. "Alpha Ezra sends his regrets. He's handling an urgent cross-border business matter and won't be joining training today."

 

I noticed Evanthe's shoulders stiffen with disappointment. Strangely, I felt an unexpected pang of something like... letdown? The realization confused me.

 

*What's the point of training without our mate present?* Lyra whined inside my mind.

 

*Shut up,* I silently replied, annoyed by my wolf's persistent fixation on Ezra.

 

We gathered on the training mats for warm-up exercises. As I moved through the stretching sequence, my right leg collided with something solid—Evanthe's strategically extended limb—and my balance disappeared completely. I hit the training mat with an ungraceful thud.

 

The entire arena fell silent. Every warrior and trainer froze, eyes darting between me and Evanthe, who covered her mouth in mock concern.

 

"Oh my! How clumsy of you," she exclaimed, her voice loud enough to ensure everyone heard. "Perhaps the Alliance Program should focus more on basic coordination before attempting advanced combat training."

 

I felt my cheeks burn with humiliation as several warriors failed to suppress their snickers.

 

"Evanthe." Orion's deep voice cut through the awkward silence. He strode toward us, amber eyes flashing with unmistakable anger. "Leave the formation. Now."

 

"Brother dear, I simply moved into the proper stance as instructed," she protested, her PR training evident in her reasonable tone. "If Isolde wasn't paying attention to her surroundings, that's hardly my fault."

 

"That wasn't a suggestion," Orion stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. He pointed toward the chairs in the rest area. "Sit down. You're done for today."

 

For a moment, I thought she might challenge him, but Evanthe merely straightened herworkout top and gracefully exited the formation. As she passed me, she leaned down slightly, her perfect smile still in place.

 

"This is just the beginning," she whispered, making a subtle slicing motion across her throat that only I could see.

 

Orion extended his hand to help me up. "Are you alright? Any signs of injury?"

 

I tested my ankle cautiously, relieved to find everything functioning normally. "I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Security Director."

 

As the training session resumed, I couldn't help glancing toward the rest area. Evanthe sat regally in one of the chairs, her blue eyes boring into mine with undisguised malice. When our gazes met, she repeated her throat-cutting gesture, mouthing words I didn't need to hear to understand.

 

The battle lines had been drawn.