The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 119

Alexander's POV

Hearing Gwyn praise Lylah felt like a slap across my pride.

That admiration should have been directed at me, not at her—and certainly not because of some ridiculous traditional trick that put a stray wolf to sleep like an obedient pup.

Yorik now lay unconscious on the bed, breathing steadily as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t nearly shattered my arm moments ago.

My arm.

The arm of Alexander Blackridge.

The humiliation burned beneath my skin.

I swore to myself I wouldn’t forget this insult.

While they were still talking around the bed, I slipped quietly out of the room.

Professor Vale and the rest of the team were no longer in the next ward. I spotted them heading toward the laboratory at the end of the hall.

The moment I approached, Cora turned.

“How did it go?” she asked quickly. Her brows knitted with worry. “Alex, I was getting concerned. Is everything alright?”

“Yes,” I answered curtly.

“Where’s Lylah?” Cora continued. “You two went together to treat that patient, didn’t you?”

Her question drew several curious glances from the other students—including Professor Vale himself.

The old wolf stopped walking and fixed me with a sharp stare.

“Where have you been?” he demanded. “Did it truly take you this long to handle a single old stray, Alexander Blackridge?” His voice hardened. “You’ve slowed the entire team and embarrassed me.”

I lowered my gaze slightly, feigning frustration.

“Professor, I was handling the situation smoothly,” I said. “But that woman interfered and slowed everything down.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Lylah. The student from the traditional healing class.”

A murmur passed among the students.

“What exactly are you implying?” Professor Vale asked coldly. “And where is she now?”

I sighed as if exasperated.

“She panicked the entire time,” I said smoothly. “All she did was stand there and shout. She doesn’t even understand the basics of treating a sick wolf.”

The lie slipped easily from my tongue.

“Frankly, Professor, I believe she should be removed from this project. She’s only causing trouble.”

I paused, then added the final blade.

“Especially now that she’s run off without a shred of shame.”

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Lylah's POV

Gwyn studied me thoughtfully.

“But I still don’t understand, Lylah,” she said slowly. “You’re still so young, and you don’t even carry the aura of a battle wolf. How could Yorik mistake you for one of his seniors from the war camp in his youth?”

Her confusion lingered in her honey-brown eyes.

“Has he said something like that before?” I asked carefully.

“He rambles sometimes..." Gwyn admitted. “But earlier… he was fully conscious. I could tell.”

My chest tightened.

“Maybe… he just thinks my face resembles someone he knew,” I said with a small, strained smile.

Gwyn tilted her head, clearly unconvinced.

“I also come from Whitepine Pack,” she continued. “Maybe I should ask my father about this. He knows many of the warriors who fought alongside Yorik at that time. We might be able to figure out who he meant.”

A flicker of unease shot through me.

“His seniors were famous warriors,” Gwyn added thoughtfully. “Jax and Vala Stillward. Everyone in the northern packs knew their names.”

She paused.

“But they—and their daughters—died years ago.”

My heart skipped.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I said quickly, forcing my voice to stay light. “You mentioned Yorik had taken a large dose of calming tonic, didn’t you? That must have affected his mind.”

If Gwyn’s father started investigating…

Things could become complicated. Dangerous, even.

Gwyn studied me for another moment before her expression softened.

“Well… if that’s what you prefer.”

She smiled warmly.

“Still, I want to thank you for treating Yorik the way you did.”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Most healer students look down on patients whose treatment is funded by the academy. Especially old wolves who can’t pay for themselves anymore.” Her gaze turned gentle. “But you didn’t.”

She clasped her hands behind her back.

“I’m certain that one day you will become a great healer—one whose name will be spoken with respect in every hall of healing across Verdanth.”