The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 167

Cora's POV

The sharp crack of bone sliding out of place was sickening.

Soren’s scream tore out of her like a wounded animal's howl as she crumpled to the floor.

“My shoulder!” she shrieked, clutching her arm, her face twisted in agony. “You dislocated my shoulder!” Her trembling finger shot toward Lylah. “How dare you!”

I froze.

Part of me wanted to rush to her side—to help her, to pull her up, to defend her.

But something colder held me back.

The moment I saw what Lylah had done, a chill crept down my spine, spreading through my body like frost. There had been no hesitation in her movement. No mercy. Just pure, predatory precision.

And deep down, I knew one thing with terrifying clarity.

I did not want to become the next target of her anger.

“What are you doing?” Thane asked, his voice steady but edged with warning as he looked at Lylah.

Lylah barely glanced at him.

“Ask her,” she said coldly, nodding toward the girl writhing on the floor. “Ask her what she told Iris to do. I’m certain it involved some kind of trick. Iris would never have followed her willingly otherwise.”

Thane’s brows furrowed, confusion flashing across his face. “But what makes you so sure Soren would do something like that to Iris? Did they even know each other?”

“They didn’t,” Lylah replied. “But Soren was holding a grudge.”

Her voice remained calm, but the words cut cleanly through the tension in the air.

“Last night, Iris and I went out for dinner. We ran into her. Iris said something by accident that bruised her pride.” Her gaze flicked briefly toward Soren. “And today, she chose to repay it.”

Silence followed.

Thane still looked uncertain, as if the pieces hadn’t fully fallen into place yet. But Isaac Grey...

Isaac’s expression changed.

Understanding dawned across his face like a gathering storm.

“Iris did go out to dinner with you last night,” he murmured slowly.

Lylah met his gaze. Then her eyes lowered to the floor. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop what happened,” she said quietly. “If you want to hold me responsible for Iris’s condition… I’ll accept it.”

Isaac didn’t answer.

His silence was heavier than anger.

And suddenly, a terrible realization sank into my stomach.

Damn.

Oh, damn it.

This was bad.

If this reached the Dean…If Isaac decided to bring the matter before the Lunar Grace officials—or worse, the law—Everything could collapse.

My thoughts were spiraling when I suddenly felt it.

Soren’s gaze.

She was staring straight at me. The message in her eyes was unmistakable.

'Move. Defend me. Or I’ll drag you down with me.'

My heart lurched.

Damn that idiot.

She had caused this entire disaster—and now she expected me to clean it up.

Grinding my teeth, I forced myself to act.

“But Lylah just dislocated Soren’s shoulder,” I said quickly as I knelt beside her. “That can’t be ignored. Our priority should be getting Soren treated first.”

Isaac’s gaze dropped to us, cold and unyielding.

“The fall dislocated my sister’s leg,” he replied flatly. “She won’t be able to walk properly for weeks, Cora.” His eyes hardened. “If it’s true that Soren pushed her, then this is the least she deserves. I’ll check the hidden surveillance in the library.”

The words sent an icy shiver racing down my spine.

“Cora.” Thane’s voice pulled my attention back. He was watching me carefully now. “We don’t know the truth yet, so it would be wiser if you didn’t take anyone’s side. Including Soren’s.”

His tone wasn’t harsh. But the quiet disappointment behind it stung.

Still—

Soren’s glare was still burning into me like claws against my back.

If I stepped away now…

She would destroy everything.

My teeth clenched.

Her reckless actions had created this mess—and now I was the one trapped in it.

“T-Thane…” I said, forcing the words out. “Soren is the daughter of one of Alpha Rowan’s councilmen. And I am the future Luna of Blackfang Pack. Indirectly... I am expected to stand on her side.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I felt the weight of them.

Isaac looked at me. His voice dropped, low and heavy with disappointment. “Even if she’s proven guilty later?”

His eyes hardened.

“You choose pack politics even now? I thought you were better than that.”