Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 68

Isolde's POV

"He definitely likes you, Isolde... that man is crazy about you."

I bit my lower lip, unable to meet Thalia's gaze as I sat cross-legged on my bed. After telling her about last night in Ezra's penthouse—how he'd given me his clothes, asked me to pick out his suit, and cooked me dinner without once making any sexual advances—she'd been relentless with her theories.

"No, he doesn't," I replied, my voice stronger than I felt. The memory of his gentle touch when he'd wiped sauce from my lip sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine.

"He's probably done the same thing with other girls in the Moon Alliance Program," I added, absently touching the star-shaped birthmark on my shoulder.

Thalia actually growled at this, eyebrows shooting up as her expression grew serious. "Are you kidding me right now? You want to make that claim? Go ahead then—ask the other Alliance girls if Alpha Ezra has ever invited them to his personal penthouse, given them his clothes to wear, or asked them to pick out his business attire."

My stomach clenched at the thought. "I can't do that."

"And why not?"

"Because..." I hesitated, knowing she was right. "Because it would reveal my weakness."

"Exactly." Thalia folded her arms across her chest. "Look, I've never spent the night with Alpha Ezra, but I've been at Silver Moon long enough to know his behavior with you is exceptional."

She began pacing in the limited space between our beds, her movements agitated as she laid out her case. "He has never, and I mean never, brought an Alliance girl into his private penthouse. Not Evanthe, not Sybilla, not any of the gorgeous, wealthy, high-ranking werewolf women constantly throwing themselves at him."

I shook my head, but she continued undeterred.

"And he didn't sleep with you last night? That's not a sign he doesn't want you, Isolde—it's a sign he respects you. What more evidence do you need that this man likes you?"

*She's right, and you know it,* Lyra mocked inside my mind. *Our mate wants us. You're just too stubborn to accept it.*

I continued shaking my head throughout Thalia's speech. "No. He can't like me, Thalia."

"And why not?" she demanded, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

"Because I'm just a regular werewolf. I'm not polished and sophisticated like those socialite werewolf girls in the Moon Alliance Program." The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "He's the CEO of Silver Moon Group, and I'm just the daughter of an indebted family. Why would he choose to develop feelings for someone as insignificant as me?"

Thalia stopped pacing and stared at me, her expression softening with understanding. "Mate bonds, Isolde. Werewolf connections are blind. They don't see status or wealth or power."

She sat on the edge of my bed, reaching out to touch my hand. "Stop putting yourself down. Yes, you're a regular werewolf, but that doesn't mean you can't attract a powerful Alpha."

I looked away, uncomfortable with her praise, but she continued.

"You're far more mature than you give yourself credit for. You're incredibly attractive. You're strong, ambitious, and any werewolf with decent taste would be drawn to you." She squeezed my hand. "This status gap only exists in your head."

A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. It was strange hearing Thalia describe me using words I would never dare apply to myself. Why did she have more confidence in me than I did? What did she see that I couldn't?

"You sound so cheesy when you talk like that," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Truth can be cheesy sometimes," she replied with a shrug.

"That's not what's happening here," I insisted. "He's just treating me like another toy in his harem."

"Oh my god, you're such a stubborn wolf!" Thalia cried, flopping back onto my bed dramatically.

Before I could respond, the door to our room swung open. A woman in a Silver Moon Group uniform strode in without knocking. I hated how the Moon Alliance Program afforded us absolutely no privacy—we were constantly monitored like prisoners.

"Isolde," she called rudely, her voice clipped and professional.

I sat up straighter on my bed, feeling Lyra growl protectively inside my mind.

"Follow me," the woman commanded, already turning to leave.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my heartbeat quickening.

She looked back with impatience. "Don't ask questions, just follow me."

"Damn," I muttered under my breath, sliding off the bed. My eyes flashed gold momentarily—a symptom of my rising irritation.

What had I supposedly done wrong this time to anger Greta? Nearly every summons I'd received had been about some alleged "infraction" of Alliance Program rules.

"I'll be back soon," I told Thalia, who responded with a concerned nod.

I followed the woman out of the Alliance residence and into the main Silver Moon headquarters building. We walked silently through sleek corridors until reaching the Human Resources Management Department offices.

We entered an office, and I felt a wave of relief when I saw it wasn't Evanthe's. The last thing I needed was a confrontation with Ezra's long-term partner who clearly despised me. I knew Evanthe was dangerous—she was not only Silver Moon's PR Director but also Ezra's intimate companion for years. Her hostility toward me was palpable from the moment I entered the program.

The woman gestured for me to sit, and I complied, wondering what new accusation I would face today.