Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 97

Isolde's POV

"So what exactly is this Privilege Apartments?" I asked.

Ezra's eyes met mine, a hint of surprise flashing in those stormy gray depths. "She speaks. I was beginning to think you'd gone mute."

"I was just..." I swallowed hard, the image of Ash's lifeless body still haunting me. "I was too shocked to talk."

"Ah, I see," he replied, his lips curving into that infuriating half-smile. "Isolde Blackwood, rendered speechless."

"Are you seriously mocking me right now?" I snapped, my voice sharp with disbelief. "My friend just died, and you're sitting there being sarcastic?"

His expression shifted instantly. Without warning, he pressed his index finger against my lips, silencing my outburst. The casual intimacy of the gesture sent an unexpected jolt through my body.

"Shh," he murmured, pulling out his phone with his free hand. He kept his finger against my lips as he dialed, his eyes never leaving mine.

*Arrogant bastard*, I thought, glaring at him. The Silver Moon CEO always acted like he owned everything and everyone around him—including me.

"Una," he said into the phone, finally removing his finger from my lips. "I need something arranged immediately."

I could hear a woman's voice on the other end, though not clearly enough to make out her words. But Ezra's response made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

"No, I don't need any girls from the Alliance Program tonight," he replied firmly.

I shouldn't have felt relieved at his refusal, but something inside me loosened at his words.

"I need you to prepare a suite at Silver Moon Privilege Apartments," he continued, his eyes still fixed on mine with unnerving intensity. "The highest level, with the tightest security possible."

There was a pause as Una replied.

"Yes, someone is being promoted," Ezra confirmed, his gaze becoming even more intense as he studied my reaction.

His next words shocked me. "It's for someone special. She's on her way there now."

After ending the call, he slipped the phone back into his pocket, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

I barely registered his satisfaction. My thoughts were spinning with grief and guilt. This promotion—this "upgrade" to a better living situation—should have made me happy. Instead, it felt hollow. Wrong. Ash was dead, and here I was, benefiting from what felt like her sacrifice.

Had she been poisoned because of her association with me? The thought made me sick. The warning was clear: get too close to what Evanthe considered hers, and you'd pay the ultimate price.

I had no proof, but deep down, I knew Evanthe was behind this. She'd deliberately targeted Ash to send me a message: stay away from Alpha Ezra, or you're next.

---

The sleek car pulled up in front of an imposing high-rise—one of Silver Moon Group's luxury apartment buildings. I'd heard whispers about this place from other Alliance girls. This was the dream destination, the ultimate symbol of having "made it" in the hierarchy.

Una herself greeted us in the marble lobby, her silver hair perfectly styled despite the late hour. She gestured for us to follow her to a private elevator.

As we ascended, I took in the stark differences between this building and the Alliance residence. There were no girls wandering the hallways in revealing outfits, no constant chatter and drama. Everything was modern, pristine, and eerily quiet.

When the elevator doors opened directly into the penthouse level, I finally understood why they called it the "Privilege" Apartments.

Una led us to a suite and unlocked the door with a keycard. As it swung open, I couldn't help the small gasp that escaped my lips.

"The top-tier suite, as requested, sir," Una announced, stepping aside to let us enter.

The apartment was at least ten times larger than the room Thalia and I shared. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The decor was minimalist but clearly expensive—a sleek smart-home system controlled everything from lighting to temperature, while a massive sectional sofa faced an equally impressive television. A professional vanity area sat in one corner, and I could see multiple doors leading to what I assumed were bedrooms and bathrooms.

It was the second most luxurious apartment I'd ever seen—the first being Ezra's personal penthouse.

After Una departed, I turned to Ezra and shook my head. "This is too much!"

"It's what you need," he replied simply.

"I don't deserve all this," I protested, gesturing around the opulent space. The star-shaped birthmark on my shoulder tingled with my heightened emotions.

"It's just material things, Isolde," Ezra said, his voice unexpectedly gentle. "Everyone deserves nice things. And more importantly, you need to be here for your safety."

I didn't know what to say. Despite everything, I couldn't deny that this was the kind of place I'd dreamed about—even more modern than my father's mansion back in Emerald Valley.

"What about Thalia?" I asked suddenly, thinking of my roommate. "Can she move in here too?"

"Absolutely not," Ezra replied immediately, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I looked around the luxurious apartment once more, then straightened my shoulders. "Then I can't accept this."

"Excuse me?" His eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

"Thalia is my only friend," I said firmly. "She's been there for me since I was brought into the Alliance Program. I won't leave her behind."

"Are you certain she can be trusted?" he asked, eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm doing all this to keep you safe, Isolde."

"I'm safe with Thalia," I insisted.

*Stubborn girl*, Lyra whispered approvingly within me.

Ezra studied me for a long moment, his jaw clenched in obvious frustration. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. Your friend can move in. But I'll be watching her closely."

Relief washed over me. "Thank you."

"Get some rest," he said, moving toward the door. "Una will have Thalia and your belongings brought over shortly."

He paused in the doorway, glancing back over his shoulder. "You'll be punished for being so stubborn, you know."

My body tensed instantly, remembering the intense physical attraction that seemed to ignite whenever we were alone. I felt a rush of heat between my thighs, my nipples tightening beneath my shirt.

*Our mate wants us*, Lyra purred inside me, restless and eager.

I stood frozen, shocked by my body's immediate response to just a few words from him. Was he doing that again?

As the door closed behind him, I was left alone with my racing heart and the terrifying knowledge that even after everything that had happened today, my body still craved his touch.