Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 50

**Isolde's POV**

 

I couldn't get Orion's words out of my head.

 

"I can't have you, so I'll take every moment alone with you that I can get."

 

The phrase kept replaying in my mind as I paced the floor of my suite at the Alliance residence. The Security Director of Silver Moon Group, brother to my worst enemy, had essentially admitted he wanted me but couldn't pursue me.

 

I considered asking Thalia for her interpretation, but quickly dismissed the idea. She'd already demonstrated her tendency to read romantic intentions into Orion's actions toward me. No, she'd only see this as further confirmation of her theories.

 

*Maybe I misheard him,* I reasoned, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. *Or he misspoke. People say things they don't mean all the time.*

 

My stomach growled loudly, interrupting my circular thoughts. I glanced at the time—dinner service at the company cafeteria had started thirty minutes ago. The thought of facing the Alliance girls after everything that had happened made my mood plummet.

 

*Should have accepted Orion's dinner invitation when I had the chance,* I thought bitterly.

 

I grabbed my keycard and headed for the door. Hunger and thirst won out over my desire to avoid social interaction. Besides, I couldn't hide forever.

 

As I walked through Silver Moon Tower's pristine corridors toward the dining hall, my frustration mounted with each step.

 

"What the hell is wrong with me?" I muttered to myself, my voice echoing slightly in the empty hallway.

 

My stomach cramped painfully, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since early morning. My mouth felt like sandpaper, and the star-shaped birthmark on my shoulder tingled with building tension. Between Evanthe's hostility, Sybilla's lies, and now Orion's cryptic comments, I was reaching my breaking point.

 

When I pushed open the dining hall doors, the effect was immediate and unsettling. All conversation stopped. The clinking of silverware against plates ceased. Every head turned in my direction, eyes fixing on me with unsettling intensity.

 

But instead of the contemptuous remarks I'd expected, laughter erupted—not the usual mocking snickers, but full-blown, gleeful amusement. Several girls pointed at me with delicate fingers, their eyes alight with anticipation.

 

"She has no idea what's coming," one whispered loud enough for my enhanced hearing to catch.

 

"She'll be shocked when they come for her," another added.

 

"Serves her right! The boyfriend-stealing slut deserves what's coming!"

 

I kept my head high as I moved to the buffet line, filling my plate with pasta and vegetables while trying to ignore the whispers and stares. I scanned the room for Thalia but couldn't spot her anywhere. Her absence left me feeling even more isolated.

 

Finding an empty table near the back wall, I sat down and began eating, though the food tasted like ash in my mouth. The laughter and whispers continued, amplified by the dining hall's excellent acoustics.

 

As I chewed mechanically, I realized something odd. The girls weren't just mocking me about Sybilla's "boyfriend-stealer" rumor. Their comments suggested something else—something imminent.

 

*"When they come for her, she'll be shocked."*

 

Who were "they"? And why would they be coming for me?

 

An ominous feeling settled in my gut. Lyra whined uneasily within me, sensing danger.

 

"Isolde!" a voice called from across the room.

 

I looked up to see a girl in designer clothes approaching, followed by the sound of chairs sliding back and heels clicking against marble.

 

"Well, if it isn't the boyfriend snatcher herself," she announced, sliding into the seat across from me. Her smile was all teeth, predatory and cold. "Tell me, what was it like fucking your sister's boyfriend? Did he make you scream his name while you betrayed your own family?"

 

I remained silent, continuing to eat my dinner. I placed my left hand between my thighs, squeezing them together while my right hand gripped my fork so tightly my knuckles turned white.

 

When I finally looked up to meet her gaze, I managed a cool smile. "No comment."

 

She laughed, opening her mouth to continue when a sharp voice cut through the dining hall.

 

"ISOLDE BLACKWOOD!"

 

The furious shout echoed off the walls. For a terrible moment, I thought Evanthe had found me, but when I turned, I saw Greta Moris striding toward me, her gray hair pulled into its characteristic severe bun, her thin lips twisted in rage.

 

I stood automatically, my military training kicking in. She reached me in seconds, her hand connecting with my cheek in a slap that resounded through the now-silent dining hall.

 

"How dare you!" she hissed, her eyes flashing werewolf gold. "How DARE you try to humiliate me in front of Beta Nathaniel!"

 

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, my voice steady despite the sting in my cheek.

 

"Bring it!" Greta commanded, and a girl in an Alliance uniform stepped forward carrying a familiar black box—the same one I'd delivered to Beta Nathaniel's office earlier.

 

She upended the contents onto the table. My mouth fell open in shock as an array of big dildos, condoms, and lubricant spilled across the surface.

 

"I didn't—" I stammered, my birthmark searing against my skin as blood drained from my face. "I had no idea what was inside that box!"

 

"Liar!" Greta spat. "You sent these vulgar items to Beta Nathaniel's office in MY name!"

 

"No!" I protested, looking around wildly. "Emma brought me that box and said you wanted me to deliver it to Beta Nathaniel's office! I didn't know what was inside!"

 

"Where is this Emma, then?" Greta demanded, her eyes scanning the dining hall.

 

I searched desperately for Emma's face among the crowd, but she was nowhere to be seen.

 

"Please," I begged, "you have to believe me. I would never do something like this."

 

Greta's expression remained harsh and unforgiving. "You've not only made an enemy of me, girl, but you've also insulted Silver Moon's Beta. Do you have any idea how serious that is?"

 

Her fingers closed around my wrist, nails digging into my skin. "You're coming with me to explain yourself to Beta Nathaniel. Now."

 

As she dragged me from the dining hall, laughter erupted behind us. I caught sight of Sybilla and Evanthe sitting together at a table near the entrance, exchanging a high-five as they waved goodbye to me, triumph written across their faces.

 

The pieces clicked into place. "When they come for her, she'll be shocked."

 

This had been their plan all along. I'd been set up, played like a pawn in their cruel power game.