Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 60

Ezra's POV

I broke the heavy silence hanging between us, my voice slicing through the tension like a blade.

"Tell me, why are you being bullied by the other Moon Alliance girls?"

Isolde's spoon froze halfway to her mouth, her body going rigid. Her scent shifted instantly—chestnut and rain now tinged with the sharp bite of anxiety. The question had caught her off guard, exactly as I'd intended.

"I'm not being bullied," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

I placed my silver spoon down beside my half-finished meal, focusing my full attention on her delicate features. The soft lighting of my penthouse dining area cast shadows across her face, highlighting the wariness in her deep blue eyes.

She was lying. I'd seen the way Evanthe and her followers spread rumors about Isolde. When I'd requested Isolde's presence in my penthouse tonight, they'd practically vibrated with displeasure. The hostility directed at her was obvious, and I wanted to understand why.

"Lying to the Lycan King is punishable, Isolde. I'm sure you're aware of that."

Her eyes widened slightly. "I... I don't want to talk about this."

"That's a better answer, isn't it? Be assertive."

Isolde held my gaze for a moment before looking down at the dress she wore. The elegant fabric clung to her curves, the neckline revealing more skin than she seemed comfortable with. Her fingers toyed nervously with the hem, tugging it slightly as if trying to cover more of herself.

"Does that dress make you uncomfortable?" I asked, watching her closely.

"No," she answered too quickly.

Another lie. The irritation flared inside me, though I kept my expression neutral. Why couldn't she just be honest with me?

She bit her lower lip, drawing my attention to the soft curve of her mouth. I found myself imagining the taste of those lips, the feel of them beneath mine. How they might part in surprise before yielding to my kiss...

*Mark her! Claim her now!* Prime growled within my mind, his presence pushing dangerously close to the surface. *She's ours.*

I forced my thoughts back to the present, gesturing toward a closed door at the far end of the penthouse.

"Do you see that closed door there?"

Isolde followed my gaze and nodded. "Yes, Alpha Ezra."

"It leads to my private wardrobe. Go in and put on anything that makes you feel comfortable."

She stared at me, confusion written across her face. "What?"

"I believe you heard me clearly, Isolde."

"I mean... are you serious, Alpha?"

"Do I have 'I'm joking' written across my forehead?"

"No, of course not."

"Then you have your answer."

"I... um..." She glanced toward the door then back at me. "Is this really allowed?"

"Yes, Isolde."

She stood up calmly, her expression unreadable. "Thank you, Alpha Ezra."

As she crossed the room, her movements graceful despite her obvious tension, she stopped halfway and turned back.

"May I ask you something?"

I leaned back in my chair, curious. "I think you'll ask anyway, so go ahead."

A bright smile lit up her face, and a blush spread across her cheeks. She lowered her head, letting her chestnut curls fall forward to shield her face momentarily before looking up at me again.

"Why did you choose me? Not Evanthe or any other girl from the Moon Alliance Program?"

The question caught me off guard. I shifted in my seat, my gaze intensifying as I studied her. How could I answer that? Because you're my mate? Because I want to spend time with you? Because every fiber of my being craves your presence?

I couldn't tell her those things. Not yet. Especially not the possibility that she might be my second chance mate after losing my first.

I cleared my throat, my eyes traveling over her form. "Isolde, if you don't go in there right now and change out of that dress, I won't resist the urge to take you right here and now."

Her lips pressed together in a tight line before she turned and practically ran into the wardrobe, making me chuckle despite myself.

Ten minutes later, she emerged wearing a pair of my gray sweatpants and a white Silver Moon T-shirt. Both were several sizes too large for her slender frame, the shirt hanging off one shoulder to reveal the star-shaped birthmark I'd noticed before. Despite the simplicity of the outfit, she looked breathtaking—casual and alluring in a way that the formal dress could never achieve.

"Thank you, Alpha Ezra," she said softly, returning to her seat at the table.

"So, do you always let Moon Alliance girls who come here change into comfortable clothes?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

I smiled, enjoying this glimpse of her more relaxed state. "What? Does that make you jealous?"

"I have no reason to be jealous," she scoffed, settling back into her chair.

But she did have reason to be jealous, I thought. She was my mate. She should be jealous of other women I might have spent nights with. I found myself wondering why only Prime and I seemed aware of our mate bond. I'd hoped she would bring up the subject so we could discuss it openly, but she never did.

"Since losing my first mate, you're the first girl I've brought to my private penthouse," I blurted out, immediately regretting the admission.

Silence fell between us, heavy with unspoken questions. The private Silver Moon servers entered to clear away our dinner plates, their movements efficient and discreet. Once we were alone again, Isolde looked at me with renewed curiosity.

"So, where did you... have fun with those girls?"

I smiled, deflecting. "Don't you think you're asking too many questions?"

She lowered her head, fingers fidgeting in her lap. "I'm sorry, Alpha Ezra."

I leaned back in my leather chair, making myself comfortable. I had plans for how to spend this evening, but first, I wanted to understand what was on her mind.

"So..." she began hesitantly, "what kind of service can I provide you with? Pour you some premium whiskey? Give you a massage? Dance for you? Or give you a bl... you know..." Her deep blue eyes briefly fixed on my crotch and nodded toward it. "A blowjob."

My body responded immediately to her words, cock hardening painfully against my pants. I clenched my jaw, breathing out slowly as Prime roared inside my mind, demanding I claim and mark her.

Isolde had no idea what she was doing to me. No idea what I would do to her if she continued this teasing, especially with the mate bond between us pulling me toward her like a gravitational force.

This was going to be a very long night.