Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 73

Isolde's POV

I stared at the ceiling of my Alliance apartment, Ezra's words from last night replaying in my mind like a broken record. 

"*I want you to keep me company, Isolde.*"

That simple phrase had kept me awake most of the night, twisted my stomach into knots, and set my birthmark burning against my shoulder. What exactly had he meant? Was it just business? A strategic move? Or something more?

*Don't flatter yourself, Isolde,* my subconscious whispered cruelly, crushing the tiny flicker of hope I'd been nursing. He was the Lycan King, the CEO of Silver Moon Group. I was just another Alliance girl, brought here to pay off my father's debts.

*He is our mate,* Lyra purred within me. *Of course he wants that.*

"Shut up," I muttered, pressing my palms against my temples. 

I forced myself out of bed, determined not to dwell on it any longer. Ezra Silverwood was the last person I should be fixating on. The man ran hot and cold, one moment seeming to care, the next treating me like I was invisible. 

"He can't possibly like me," I told my reflection as I brushed my teeth. "I shouldn't read too much into it. But what did he actually mean? Was it a business strategy or something else entirely?"

Twenty minutes later, I walked with Thalia through Silver Moon Tower's corridors, my mind still a million miles away. The polished marble floors and floor-to-ceiling windows barely registered as my thoughts circled back to Ezra.

"Isolde, careful!" Thalia's warning came a split second too late.

My forehead connected with a glass partition I hadn't even noticed, the impact sending a sharp pain through my skull. I stumbled backward, stars dancing in my vision.

"Shit," I hissed, pressing my palm against my forehead. My star-shaped birthmark flared hot against my shoulder in response to the sudden pain.

"Are you okay?" Thalia asked, concern written across her face as she gripped my arm to steady me.

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision. "Yeah, I'm fine... just thinking about something and got distracted."

"You're bleeding," Thalia said, pulling a tissue from her pocket and pressing it gently against my forehead. "It's not bad, but you might have a mark for a while."

"Great," I sighed, taking the tissue from her. "Just what I needed today."

We continued to the high-end cafeteria for breakfast. The space was already buzzing with Silver Moon employees and Alliance Program participants. Thalia and I found a quiet table in the corner, away from the main crowd.

"You've been distracted all morning," Thalia observed as she cut into her omelet. "What's going on with you?"

"Is it about the combat training program?" she pressed.

"No, it's not that." I shook my head. "Don't worry, I can handle it."

My birthmark tingled as my thoughts drifted back to Ezra. I didn't want Thalia analyzing his behavior—I didn't need more reasons to build fantasies in my head about the Lycan King.

A burst of cheers from across the cafeteria caught my attention. A group of Alliance girls were fawning over someone who'd just entered.

"I can't wait to hear about your private meeting with the CEO," one girl gushed loudly enough for her voice to carry.

The other tossed her hair over her shoulder, a smug smile playing on her perfectly painted lips. "Oh, you have no idea. I had such an amazing night with Ezra. That man is an absolute beast in bed, made me pass out three times!"

"Oh my god! Tell us more!" her friend squealed.

My fork clattered against my plate as my hand went slack. The noise around me faded to a distant buzz as the girl’s words sank in.

*He slept with her?* My chest constricted painfully. *He told me he wanted me by his side while he work, then sent me back to my room, only to invite another girl over to fuck her? That fucking bastard!*

Lyra roared furiously within me. *No wolf would treat their mate like this!*

I stabbed my steak viciously, imagining it was Ezra's smug face. My birthmark burned like someone was pressing a hot coal against my skin.

"Isolde!" Thalia's voice finally broke through my rage-induced trance. "My god, you look murderous! Stop torturing that poor steak. What happened? Did something happen that I don't know about?"

I stood abruptly, nearly knocking over my water glass. "I'll see you later."

I stalked out of the cafeteria, my mind racing with furious thoughts. *Am I not attractive enough? Are my combat skills not good enough? Or is it because I'm just a debt payment—a pathetic girl sold to the program to pay off her father's loans?*

The training center was already alive with activity when I arrived. Warriors moved through their morning routines, but the one person I was looking for—whether to confront or avoid, I wasn't sure—was nowhere to be seen.

"Nyssa," I called, approaching the combat instructor.

"Morning," she replied, her eyes assessing my face. "What happened to your forehead?"

"Nothing important," I dismissed. "Is the CEO not here today?"

Nyssa shook her head. "No, and if he hasn't shown up by now, don't expect him. He has important business meetings today."

My disappointment quickly morphed into renewed anger. *Arrogant bastard! Heartless hypocrite!*

*We should confront him!* Lyra paced restlessly within me.

"Looks like the Moon Goddess decided to punish us today," Nyssa muttered, her eyes fixed on something behind me.

"What do you mean..." I turned, following her gaze. "Damn it! It's her."

"I was really hoping she wouldn't come today," Nyssa sighed.

"I share that wish," I replied grimly.

Evanthe sauntered into the training center in custom Silver Moon workout gear, her golden hair pulled into a perfect ponytail. Several girls trailed behind her like loyal subjects following their queen.

Her icy blue eyes locked onto me immediately, her steps purposeful as she approached where Nyssa and I stood.

Evanthe's eyes narrowed, flickering briefly to Nyssa and back to me. "You two really seem close."

"You're right about that," I agreed, meeting her gaze steadily. "Is that a problem, PR Director?"

The tension between us crackled like electricity, and I knew this was only the beginning of another long, difficult day.