Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 74

Isolde's POV

Evanthe's icy gaze locked with mine, her perfect lips curling into something between a smile and a snarl. The training center around us seemed to fade away as our silent standoff continued.

"You know," she said, adjusting her designer workout gloves, "I've been thinking about our last match. I believe I wasn't at my best that day."

I struggled to maintain my composure. "Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night?"

Several nearby warriors stopped their training to watch our exchange, sensing the building tension. I could feel their eyes on us, hungry for drama between Silver Moon's PR Director and the debt girl who'd somehow earned Alpha Ezra's attention.

"I want a rematch," Evanthe announced, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Right now."

Nyssa stepped forward. "Evanthe, this isn't on today's training schedule—"

"I don't recall asking for your input," Evanthe cut her off without even sparing her a glance. Her eyes remained fixed on me, challenging and cold. "Well, Isolde? Or are you afraid now that you don't have beginner's luck on your side?"

My emotions were already raw from hearing her brag about her night with Ezra. Rage bubbled just beneath my skin, making Lyra pace restlessly within me.

*Let's show this bitch what we're made of,* my wolf growled.

"Fine," I said, walking toward the sparring mat. "Let's do this."

Whispers erupted around us as warriors cleared the area, forming a circle around the mat. Nyssa looked concerned but didn't interfere further.

Evanthe rolled her shoulders, her golden hair catching the light as she took her position across from me. "Prepare to be humiliated, debt girl."

I said nothing, channeling my fury into focus as I assumed my fighting stance.

"Begin!" someone called.

Evanthe moved first, launching herself forward with predatory grace. Before her strike could land, I shifted into a defensive stance, ready to counter.

"Is that the best you've got?" she taunted, circling me. 

The comment hit its mark, sending a fresh wave of anger through me. "Shut up," I growled.

"What's wrong?" Her perfect eyebrows arched in mock concern. "Did I touch a nerve? It must be so disappointing to be rejected by the Alpha, sent back to your little room while he called me to warm his bed."

Something snapped inside me. I lunged forward, abandoning technique for pure aggression. My vision tunneled, focused entirely on Evanthe's smug face as Lyra howled for blood within me.

I could feel my eyes beginning to change, the golden glow of my wolf pushing to the surface. Evanthe's own eyes flashed dangerously in response, her perfectly manicured nails extending slightly into claws.

This wasn't going to be sparring—this was about to become something much more dangerous.

"Enough!" A powerful command cut through the chaos.

Strong hands pulled us apart, and I found myself staring up at Orion's concerned face, his amber eyes assessing me quickly before turning to his sister.

"What the hell is this?" he demanded, positioning himself between us. "This is a training center, not a street fight."

"Ask her," Evanthe spat, wiping blood from her lip. "She attacked me."

I bristled. "You provoked me intentionally."

"And you rose to the bait like the untrained pup you are," Evanthe sneered.

Orion's expression hardened as he surveyed the scene. "Everyone back to training. Now." His command scattered the gathered warriors, leaving just the three of us on the mat.

"Evanthe, get yourself cleaned up," he ordered. "We'll discuss this later."

For a moment, I thought she might challenge him, but she simply tossed her hair over her shoulder and stalked away, her designer workout gear now stained with sweat and blood.

"And you," Orion turned to me, his amber eyes intense. "Come with me."

I followed him reluctantly to a private corner of the training center, anger still coursing through my veins.

"What's going on with you today?" he asked, his voice low. "I've never seen you lose control like that."

"Nothing's going on," I replied tersely, touching the scratches on my cheek. They were already healing, thanks to my werewolf biology, but still stung.

"Isolde," his tone softened slightly. "Something clearly happened. This isn't like you."

I met his gaze defiantly. "With all due respect, Security Director, you don't know me well enough to make that judgment."

"I've observed you in training for weeks," he countered. "You're disciplined, focused. Today you're fighting like you want to kill my sister."

"Maybe I do," I muttered before I could stop myself.

His eyebrows shot up. "What happened between you two?"

"Nothing that concerns you," I said, turning away. The last thing I needed was to explain to Orion that I was upset about his sister sleeping with Ezra, especially when I had no right to those feelings in the first place.

"As Security Director, any conflict in Silver Moon facilities concerns me," he insisted, gently catching my arm as I tried to walk away.

I yanked my arm free, my patience shattered. "Mind your own business, Orion. I don't need your concern or your protection."

"Isolde—"

"No," I cut him off. "I'm done for today. Tell Nyssa I'll make up the training tomorrow."

Without waiting for his response, I strode toward the exit, ignoring the stares and whispers that followed me.

*Mate or not,* Lyra snarled within me, *no one treats us like this.*

For once, I completely agreed with my wolf.