The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 160

3rd Person's POV

Evening settled over Lunaris in a wash of amber light when Lylah and Iris finally reached the restaurant Iris had been talking about all afternoon. A line of wolves stretched far beyond the entrance, curling along the lantern-lit path like a silent procession.

Lylah slowed.

Her gaze drifted across the waiting crowd and the faint rumble of engines from the expensive vehicles parked across the lawn. Luxury cars. Dozens of them. Influential wolves in Lunaris, without a doubt.

A flicker of unease stirred inside her.

The last time they had eaten at Victor’s restaurant, things had turned unpleasant rather quickly. But the worry wasn’t for herself.

It was for Iris.

What if another insolent worker decided to treat them the same way?

Her eyes slid to Iris, but the girl seemed completely unbothered, humming softly as she stared at the building ahead.

That alone eased Lylah’s tension a little.

“Iris,” Lylah asked quietly, glancing at the long line, “why are all these people waiting outside?”

Iris followed her gaze and shrugged.

“I guess we have to wait too. The place is small, so they only let people in a few at a time.”

Lylah frowned.

“Seriously? That line is ridiculously long. What’s so special about this place that wolves are willing to wait like this just to eat?”

“The food is incredible, apparently. But the prices are ridiculously low. Everyone says it feels less like a business and more like a charity.” Iris grinned. “Like some ridiculously rich Alpha got bored one day and impulsively decided to open a restaurant.”

She paused, then added with amusement,

“Isaac said Victor nearly lost his mind when he heard about it.”

Lylah chuckled under her breath.

They had just settled into the line when someone brushed past them.

The woman slipped directly in front of them as if the rest of the waiting customers didn’t exist. Raven-dark hair spilled down her back, and her crimson lipstick was sharp enough to look like a warning.

Soren.

Iris immediately stiffened.

“Excuse me,” she said, her voice firm. “Please step aside. You’re cutting the line.”

Soren turned slowly, as though the request itself amused her. Her gaze slid lazily over Iris

and then dropped to Lylah.

A faint curl of disdain twisted her lips.

“What are you two doing here?” she asked coolly. “It’s not as if you could afford a place like this.”

Iris blinked, stunned. “What did you just say?”

“I’m only stating the obvious,” Soren replied, her eyes flicking over their clothes.

A ripple of irritation stirred beneath Lylah’s skin.

Iris crossed her arms. “Does that mean you think you can cut the line? If you don’t move, I might have to speak to the manager. My brother knows the manager who runs this place."

Soren only laughed softly.

“Your brother?” she repeated, her gaze turning colder. “Not your connection then.” Her lips curled. “I’m not surprised. There's no way someone like you could make connections with the influential wolves of Lunaris.”

Her eyes hardened.

“And no,” she added sharply, “I won’t be stepping aside for someone beneath me.”

Lylah felt her wolf stir restlessly beneath her skin.

Soren's words had been unnecessarily rude.

A slow breath left Lylah's lungs before she spoke.

“If insulting people makes you feel better,” she said calmly, “then I can only imagine how miserable your life must be, Soren.”

Soren’s eyes narrowed immediately.

“How do you know my name?”

Before Lylah could answer—

A familiar voice cut through the tension.

“Lylah?”

They turned.

Cora stood a few steps away, surprise flickering across her face as her gaze moved between them.