The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 171

3rd Person's POV

Two days later, Lancel made his move, prompted by Soren’s complaint.

Clark Grimwood hadn’t allowed work-related visitors in his private home for years. Yet here they were—an insolent wolf and his mate—pushing their way in simply because he had once graduated from Lunar Grace’s Healing Department.

It was morning. Grimwood was absorbed in his reading when Lancel of the Blackfang Pack and his mate arrived.

Reluctantly, Grimwood let them pour out the reason for their visit—a reason he neither remembered nor cared about.

When Lancel finished speaking, Grimwood closed his book and leaned back, letting a dry, humorless laugh escape.

“It would be so kind of you to help our daughter, sir,” Lancel’s mate said, her tone clipped yet sweet, as if rehearsed. “Soren is brilliant—one of the shining students in Blackfang College—”

“Save your breath,” Grimwood said, eyes narrowing. “I wouldn’t be interested even if I listened.”

Lancel stepped forward, his jaw tight.

He hadn’t come to be dismissed. His daughter’s wishes were not something he would let slide.

“You will accept my daughter as your student, won’t you?” he demanded. “I graduated from Lunar Grace myself. My record was impeccable—though perhaps you’ve forgotten.”

“I’ve mentored more talented wolves than I care to remember. Your daughter’s talent won’t impress me,” Grimwood said flatly. “And no, I will not take her.”

Lancel’s irritation spiked, a low, simmering heat that threatened to spill.

Soren had warned him the professor might refuse, but hearing it now—he could hardly believe it.

“Why?” he pressed, voice sharp.

“Because I’ve already chosen my student,” Grimwood said simply.

Lancel’s wolf bristled, his patience thinning. “Who is she? Who is so worthy that you reject my daughter?”

“You don’t need to know,” Grimwood replied casually, as if the answer were beneath explanation.

“I have to know, Professor Grimwood. I need to measure her worth. Who is this someone you’ve chosen over my daughter?” Lancel asked, his tone bordering on insolent.

“Just someone from some unknown background, I bet,” he added with a scoff. “My Soren, on the other hand, has true healer blood running through her veins. She comes from a high-ranking family. Taking her as your student would bring you many advantages.”

Grimwood’s eyes flashed, irritation flaring at the man’s audacity.

But he wasn’t surprised. Blackfang Pack had always been full of insufferable wolves.

“Since you insist,” Grimwood said, rising slowly, “I’ll show you.”

He walked to his desk and pulled out a portrait—a printed copy of a painting an old acquaintance had sent him.

It had been sent by the old lord of Moonclaw, who had been overjoyed to receive the finished painting of his grandson and his Luna.

Grimwood had grimaced at the imposing figure of Moonclaw’s Alpha—but Lylah’s presence in the portrait made him smile, a warmth stirring in him that he hadn’t felt in years.

He tossed the print onto the table, sliding it toward Soren’s parents.

Lancel and his mate leaned in, their eyes scanning the portrait.

“The woman,” Grimwood said, letting the words land, “is my student. And yes, you recognize the man beside her. That is her mate. My student is his Luna.” He raised his glass of wine in a quiet, almost imperceptible toast.

Lancel’s fingers trembled as they hovered over the photo.

That was the Alpha of Moonclaw.

And the woman on his lap—his Luna.

The realization hit him like a blade to the gut. His daughter hadn’t picked a fight with some ordinary wolf. She had provoked the mate of the most powerful Alpha on the continent.

All the boldness Lancel had arrived with drained away in an instant.