The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 46

Lylah's POV

Tomorrow is my first day of work, and sleep has completely abandoned me. Nervousness coiled tight around my chest, refusing to loosen no matter how hard I tried to breathe through it.

I spent the night hunched over my study table, combing through every piece of material I thought might be useful—healing notes, training manuals, and the academy’s histories—until pale dawn slipped through the windows without my notice.

By then, it was too late to sleep.

I bathed quickly, then dressed in the assistant’s uniform: a crisp white fitted shirt, a black skirt, and a narrow tie embroidered with the silver crest of Lunar Grace.

Panicked, I slipped out of my room.

“Didn’t you say you were starting work today?”

The voice made me jolt.

“Good morning, Ezra.” I hurried into the dining room where he was already seated. Bambi stood at his side, ever watchful. “Yes, today’s the day. I think I might be late.”

"Good morning," Alpha Ezra smiled, slow and knowing. “You won’t be. They start in thirty minutes. And Damon drives fast.”

"Alph- I mean Ezra, I can go on my own.” Beta Damon had already spent the entire previous day driving me through Lunaris. Asking again felt excessive. “I don’t want to keep burdening him.”

“He’ll be more restless if I don’t give him work.” Ezra’s amusement deepened. Then his gaze sharpened slightly. “And you don’t need to feel that way. You’re my Luna. Serving you is part of his duty too. Do you understand?”

"Alright,” I said.

Yesterday, I returned to the penthouse long after sunset. The place was quiet, and Ezra had been in his room. I hadn’t wanted to disturb him.

“Ezra,” I’d said then, “I came home a bit late last night. I didn’t tell you when I arrived cause I thought you were asleep.”

“Don't worry. I told you it was your day to explore Lunaris,” he’d replied easily. Then he paused, his eyes narrowing just a fraction—enough to make my spine straighten. “But there’s something I want to ask.”

“Sure.”

“Did you meet someone before coming back?” His voice remained calm, but the air shifted. “There was another scent on you. Not yours.”

My eyes had widened despite myself.

We hadn’t even faced each other yesterday, and yet he’d sensed it. An ordinary wolf never could have.

His was another level of awareness—sharp, predatory, a gift carved by Selene herself.

“Yes,” I’d admitted. “I meet an old man, he's a wanderer. Some teenagers were harassing him outside the apartment building, so I intervened.” I hesitated. “Was that… not allowed?”

“Of course it’s allowed.” His tone softened, but the power beneath it remained. “Just be careful. Lunaris is not as gentle as it appears. There are very few people I would trust with you.”

Guilt had prickled my chest then, a reminder of how reckless I’d been.

Thankfully, that old man had been decent. If he hadn’t… I would have caused Ezra trouble.

We finished breakfast quickly. Time pressed in around me. I grabbed my coat and headed for the door—only to realize I hadn’t said goodbye.

I turned.

Ezra was already there.

So close that our bodies nearly touched.

My breath caught, my heart slamming wildly against my ribs. Too loudly.

I was suddenly certain he could hear it, feel the frantic rhythm that betrayed me.

“Damon will pick you up when you’re finished,” he murmured, leaning closer. His warmth brushed against my temple, his scent enveloping me. “And good luck on your first day, Lylah.”

The way he said my name sent a shiver through my blood.

Selestine purred in response.

“Thank you, Ezra,” I whispered.

He stepped back, releasing me.

Only then did I breathe again.

I smiled, waved goodbye, and left—wearing calm like a fragile mask, while inside my chest, the storm raged on.