Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 92

Orion's POV

"How is she?" the guard asked as I approached the security checkpoint.

The fury was like a living thing inside me, pushing against my skin, demanding release. I suppressed the urge to smash my fist into the wall until it bled. The images from last night kept replaying in my mind—Isolde drugged, barely conscious, surrounded by men who intended to violate her. Her clothes torn, her vulnerability exposed.

"Not your concern," I growled, my tone ending any further conversation.

Someone had orchestrated this. Someone had carefully planned to drug and assault her.

I slammed the car door with enough force to make the entire vehicle shake when we arrived at the underground detention area. My jaw clenched so tight it ached as I strode toward the entrance, fists balled at my sides.

"Where is she?" I barked at the security personnel stationed at the entrance.

One of them straightened immediately. "This way, Security Director Orion."

I followed him through the sterile corridors, my mind racing with questions. Who would orchestrate something so vile? And why target Isolde specifically? The pieces didn't fit together yet, but I was determined to get answers.

The elevator took us deeper beneath the Silver Moon headquarters, where the most secure holding cells were located. My wolf, Talon, paced restlessly within me, sharing my rage and thirst for justice.

We walked down a long corridor lined with reinforced doors until we reached the cell. Through the observation window, I could see her sitting on the floor, knees pulled to her chest, head buried in her arms.

When she sensed my presence and looked up, her pupils dilated with shock. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, tear tracks staining her cheeks.

*Hypocrite!* my mind screamed. *Crocodile tears.*

How dare she cry when she was the one who had drugged Isolde, leaving her defenseless against those predators?

"Security Director Orion," she immediately dropped to her knees, bowing her head in submission.

I kept my voice deliberately calm, though it carried an unmistakable threat. "Why did you do it?"

Ash raised her head, shaking it vigorously as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "Security Director Orion, you must believe me. I swear I knew nothing about that gang rape plan."

I raised an eyebrow, approaching the cell. Crouching down to her level, I studied her face carefully through the barrier. Her fear was palpable, her distress seemingly genuine. But I'd seen better actors in my time.

"If that's true, then why did you drug her in the first place?" I asked.

She stammered, "She... she... I mean I..."

"Look at me when you speak," I commanded, my patience wearing thin.

Ash raised her gaze to meet mine, her body trembling. "Two girls were threatening me... bullying me. They said I needed to get close to Isolde, become her friend, and gather information about her. They only gave me that orange juice to give to her. I didn't know what was in it." Her words tumbled out in a rush. "I had no idea they were planning to do that to her. I swear that's the truth."

I studied her, searching for signs of deception. The scent of fear rolling off her was overwhelming, but fear didn't equal innocence. I felt no sympathy for her. None whatsoever.

"Then why don't you name these girls?" I pressed, watching her reaction carefully.

Ash shook her head quickly. "I can't."

"Why not?"

"They'll kill me if I dare mention their names," she sobbed, gasping for breath. Her face had turned as red as a beetroot. She looked miserable.

I watched her break down, considering her words. My thoughts turned to my sister, Evanthe. Could she be involved in this? The question sent a chill through me. Evanthe was ambitious and stubborn, but was she capable of orchestrating something this evil?

*She's always hated Isolde,* Talon reminded me. *Since the moment she sensed the mate bond between her and Ezra.*

No. My sister might be ambitious and headstrong, but she wouldn't cross this line. Would she?

*Are you certain?* Talon challenged. *Remember how she reacted when Isolde first arrived? The jealousy in her eyes was unmistakable.*

"The situation now is that all evidence points to you," I told Ash coldly. "Without naming who put you up to this, you'll take the fall for everything that happened to Isolde."

"Security Director Orion, please believe me. I didn't—" she began desperately.

I'd heard enough. Taking a deep breath, I rose to my feet and turned away from the cell. There was no point continuing this conversation. Either she was lying, or she was too terrified to reveal the truth. Either way, I wasn't getting what I needed from her.

As I walked toward the elevator, my decision was made. I needed to have a conversation with Evanthe. If my sister had any involvement in this, there would be consequences—family or not.

*She wouldn't dare lie to us,* Talon growled. *Not when we question her directly. We'll know by her scent if she's hiding something.*

The elevator doors closed behind me, and I pressed the button for the executive floor. My phone vibrated with a message from Ezra, asking for an update on the investigation. I would report to him after speaking with Evanthe.

First, I needed to know how deep this conspiracy went. For Isolde's sake, and for my own peace of mind.

"Are you heading up, sir?" asked the security officer who had escorted me.

"Yes. I need to speak with my sister," I replied, my voice hard as steel. "And God help her if she's involved in this."

The officer nodded, keeping his expression neutral, but I could smell his unease. Everyone in the building knew how protective I was of Isolde, even if they didn't understand why. They also knew my sister's reputation for ruthlessness when it came to protecting her position with Ezra.

If Evanthe had orchestrated this attack on Isolde, she had made a grave miscalculation. Sister or not, I would ensure justice was served.

The elevator began its ascent, and I steeled myself for what coming next.