The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 23

Lylah's POV

Elowen of Blackfang Pack was renowned as the finest stylist across Verdanth, so exclusive that even nobles flinched at her price. Yet here she was, circling me like a sculptor before unfinished marble, tending to every detail.

“You have beautiful hazel eyes,” she murmured, meeting my gaze through the mirror. “And your features—Crafted by Selene herself, truly. It’s a crime you’ve never enhanced them with makeup.”

I barely knew how to respond.

My life had always been consumed by study, helping Rowan, sleepless nights. Vanity had never been a luxury I could afford.

And this was the first time anyone here had spoken of me with admiration.

“Your hair,” Elowen continued, lifting a silken strand, “so long and glossy. I’m sure many females here envy you.”

The door slammed open with a sharp crack.

Cora.

“Elowen,” she said sweetly, “could you step out for a moment? I need a private word with my sister.”

Elowen hesitated only a second before bowing her head and slipping out.

I rose slowly and turned to face Cora.

“What is it?” I asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

Her lips twisted. “Why are you still here, Lylah? Shouldn’t you have left Blackfang today?”

“What are you talking about-"

“Oh, spare me.” Cora cut me off sharply, stepping closer. “There’s no need to pretend in front of me anymore. You know everything already. Your sudden rejection from the academy, Rowan’s intervention, how I conveniently took the place that should have been yours...” She smiled, slow and cruel. “You panicked when you realized his attention was slipping, didn’t you? So you staged this little display.”

I said nothing.

“Poor Lylah,” she crooned. “You truly believed you were the only one for Alpha Rowan. When In reality you were merely useful.” Her gaze burned. “But when he needed comfort? When he needed warmth? He came to me.”

My chest tightened.

“Do you remember that night?” Cora pressed. “When Father hosted that business gathering in Ironcrest?”

I did. It was three years ago.

Rowan had known how strained things were between Eldric and me. He had told me I didn’t need to attend.

And I hadn’t argued.

“That night under Ironcrest’s stars, I gave Rowan my sacred maidenhood, and he claimed me,” Cora said softly, savoring every syllable, “Our wolves awakened, recognized their other half. The bond snapped into place.” She smiled. “We are mates.”

The bond he had never claimed with me.

Rowan had told me he loved me countless times, but he had never once named me his mate.

“And after that?” she went on. “I traveled with him countlessly. Pack to pack. Council to council. While you exhausted yourself tending Blackfang, burning through your strength, collapsing with fevers… I was at his side.” Her smile sharpened. “You were never that special.”

She wasn’t wrong.

There had been times I couldn’t accompany Rowan—when duty chained me to Blackfang, when my body failed under the strain. I had been grateful he never forced me.

I understood now why.

“Why, Cora?” I asked, the word hollow. “Why hide it? Why pretend to be good with me only to stab me in the end and steal what I believed was mine?”

Her eyes flared, her wolf surging to the surface.

“Steal?” Cora snapped. “I am the true daughter of Alpha Eldric and Luna Daia. The Ironcrest Princess. Your place was never yours, it was stolen from me for ten years!”

So every smile, every promise of sisterhood—it had all been a lie.

I felt only regret that Cora had never been honest about her hatred.

“And yes,” Cora screamed, hysteria bleeding through her control, “I will take everything back! Everything you think you own! Including Rowan!”

"No need to act so pathetic," I met her gaze, calm as ice. "Take him. You can have my leftovers.”

Her lips twitched, her expression darkening.

“Pathetic?” she hissed. “I’ll show you what pathetic really looks like.”

Her hand moved in a blur—too fast.

Cora snatched the small razor Elowen had used to trim my hair from the vanity