The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 12

Lylah's POV

Someone seized my arm from the side and spun me around.

Rowan.

“Stop this.” His jaw was clenched hard enough that I felt his wolf stir beneath his skin. “Stop acting childish.”

“Childish?”

“Why do you have to answer back? Just apologize to Cora, and this will be over.”

I stared at him—at the familiar face that no longer felt familiar at all. “My work was stolen. My moment at my graduation ceremony was taken. And I’m the one who should apologize?”

“You-” Rowan’s voice faltered.

A hollow breath escaped me.

“I see it now.” My chest tightened. “This is what you meant when you promised to protect me five years ago.”

“No, Lylah. Listen to me-"

I wrenched my arm free and turned to face Alpha Eldric and Luna Daia instead. Cora was cradled in Orion’s arms, her sobs still echoing through the hall.

“You are no longer the docile child who lived under my roof five years ago,” Eldric said quietly.

“Back then,” I replied, meeting his gaze without flinching, “you paid a handful of gold to sever ties with a scared fifteen-year-old girl. That was your bargain, Alpha Eldric.” His eyes widened. “You made it clear you wanted nothing more to do with me. So who I am now is no longer your concern.”

“I built everything I have from nothing,” I went on. “And if anyone dares to claim it as theirs, I have every right to fight back.”

“You-" Eldric started, then stopped. A harsh laugh tore from him. “Fine. If that’s truly what you want—nothing to do with us—then so be it.”

“You’ve grown so arrogant,” Luna Daia sneered. “Does Alpha Rowan’s favor give it to you? Do you believe protection like that endures forever?”

She turned to Rowan. “She’s learned to bear her fangs against us. If you insist on protecting her, then keep her leashed close. Don’t send her to Lunar Grace. Let her follow you everywhere, give her a place in your pack where you can watch her every moment. At least that way she won’t be a nuisance to my Cora.”

Rowan’s eyes flickered, his wolf bristling beneath the surface, but he said nothing.

They turned and left.

But just before the doors closed, Cora wrenched herself free and dropped to her knees in front of Rowan.

“Alpha, please don’t take my parents’ words to heart,” she sobbed. “And please don’t be angry with Lylah. This is all my fault!”

“Cora!”

Eldric and Daia pulled her up at once.

Daia wrapped her arms around her protectively. “Never do that again. She isn’t worth your tears. Watching you beg only entertains her. Come."

I watched the four of them vanish behind the closing doors

Night had fallen when I stood before my vanity, the scent of crushed herbs sharp as I pressed them to the red mark flaring across my cheek.

The door opened behind me.

Rowan entered.

“Let me,” he said softly, reaching for the container.

I shoved him away.

“Lylah.” Instead of retreating, he wrapped his arms around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder.

The reflection in the mirror made my stomach churn.

“Please don’t shut me out,” he murmured. “I never meant for things to escalate like this. I never thought they would-"

“You never thought Alpha Eldric and Luna Daia would retaliate when their precious daughter was laughed at by the entire pack?" I cut in. "Even though she brought it on herself?”

He sighed, the sound heavy with Alpha authority softened into feigned tenderness.

“I’m sorry about your speech. And I’m sorry if it seems like I’ve been defending Cora. It’s nothing more than courtesy. I swear.” His arms tightened. “You have to believe me that you are the only one I will ever love. You—my future Luna.”

He didn’t see my fists clench.

Didn’t see the way my lips curled in a disgusted smile.

Rowan kept speaking, his voice gentle, coaxing—like soothing an injured pet back into obedience.

“Last year, you told me you wanted to visit Mount Silvaris again, but I was too bussy with some unfinished projects. I’ll arrange everything now. We’ll go together.”

The desire had already turned to ash, just like my feelings for him.