The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 20

Lylah's POV

I spent two more days in bliss at Starfall Pack with Tiara before returning to Blackfang. Night had already swallowed the estate when I arrived.

The estate loomed in silence, and I allowed myself a fragile breath of relief. With Rowan buried in his 'project', he should have been long gone.

I stepped into my chamber and reached for the lamp.

Then a voice cut through the dark.

“Did you enjoy your trip?” Rowan stood near the window, half-cloaked in shadow.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded.

He didn’t answer.

In two strides he crossed the room, his strength slamming me back against the wall. The impact drove the breath from my lungs as pain flared across my shoulder.

“You hurt me,” I hissed.

His eyes glowed, wolf-gold bleeding into the whites.

“You erase my name from your prayers. Who replaced it, Lylah?” he growled. “The man you’ve been secretly calling behind my back? Was he worth lying to me?”

I met his stare, refusing to bow.

“He must mean something to you. Answer me, don’t just stand in silence.”

His weight pressed harder, dominance crushing, a silent demand for submission.

“I went with Tiara. Now get off me. Don’t smear me with your filthy judgments.”

“Then why did you leave without a word? Without me?” His voice dropped, dangerous. “Have you already forgotten the vow you made three years ago?”

Three years ago—under a leaking roof in a broken apartment, when the world had turned its back on us—Rowan and I had bound ourselves with a promise to never lies at each other.

I shoved him with all the strength I could muster. He staggered back, stunned.

“Yes. I lied,” I said, lifting my chin. “But what about you? Was that so-called 'urgent project' Corlis Prime—or my sister?” My voice sharpened. “You rush to Silvaris with Cora to erase your name and replace it with hers. Funny how you’re furious I moved faster than you.”

My jaw clenched. “Remember, I’m the one who climbed that mountain and carved the amulet into the stone back then. If I want it undone, it will be undone. You had no right to touch it.”

Silence swallowed the room.

"You broke our vow first,” I said evenly. “Don’t lay your failure at my feet.”

Shock rippled across his face, followed by guilt—then fear.

“Lylah…” Rowan's breathing slowed, his voice losing its edge.

I didn’t respond.

I brushed past him. “Leave.”

He didn’t listen.

In a blur of motion, his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back into his chest. His scent—pine, iron, and dominance—flooded my senses as he turned me to face him.

“I was wrong,” he murmured, forehead nearly touching mine. “But you misunderstood. I never intended to carve Cora’s name. I meant to bind my Pack’s name instead. I didn’t want you climbing that mountain twice. I was going to explain everything.”

His remorse was too smooth.

“Yes, Cora came with me,” he admitted. “And yes, we’ve grown closer lately because of my alliance with your father. But she means nothing to me.”

My lips curved into a hollow smile.

“Of course,” I said. “I trust you.”

Relief washed over his face.

“I'm so sorry. Jealousy made me lose control."

His gaze swept over me as if I were something breakable. “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” I replied. “You should go. I need rest.”

Rowan hesitated, then nodded. “Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast together. Then I’ll take you for a walk.”

I watched Rowan retreat, the trace of his care leaving a bitter tang in the air.

Watching him soften—not from guilt, but from the worry of his own rot being exposed—made my wolf bristle in disgust.