The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118

3rd Person’s POV

At the Lunaris Research Center, a strategic meeting was underway.

Normally, when Ezra was unavailable, Archer West would preside in his place. But today, the Alpha himself had chosen to lead the discussion.

Ezra had just begun addressing the next phase of the project when his phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

Lylah.

Without hesitation, he rose from his seat.

The door slid shut behind him as he answered the call.

“I was just about to call you,” Ezra said, warmth instantly filling his voice. “How was the first training session for your project?”

A soft laugh came from the other end. “Ezra, you sound more excited than I am.”

Finished

“Just want to make sure everything went smoothly. That no one gave you trouble.” His tone sharpened slightly. “Including Grimwood.”

“Not at all,” Lylah replied. “Professor Clark was very supportive. And the training went smoothly.”

A small pause followed. “Where are you right now?”

“At the Research Center,” Ezra said, relief easing the tension in his shoulders now that he knew she was fine.

“Oh right!” she said suddenly. “You mentioned you had a meeting today. I must be interrupting. I’m so sorry!”

“Don’t say that.” Ezra’s voice softened immediately. “You’re never an interruption, Lylah.”

Silence lingered between them for a moment.

Then she spoke again.

“Let’s talk more tonight. There’s something I want to tell you, but I think it’s better to say it face–to–face.”

Inside the meeting room, the Lunaris‘

Chief engineers were beginning to grow restless.

Archer West remained standing at the head of the table, arms folded.

“Stay in your seats, gentlemen,” he said calmly. “Alpha Ezra will return shortly.”

One of the younger engineers frowned.

“But that’s so unusual. Alpha Ezra never takes calls during meetings. Is everything alright?”

“That must be someone very important to him,” Archer said.

“Could it be Master Vargan?” someone suggested. “Or his High Council? Did something happen to Moonclaw Pack?”

Archer shook his head.

“No.”

He allowed a faint smirk to form.

“He’s most likely speaking with… his Luna.”

“Yes,” Archer replied with a scoff. “Once.”

“When I visited the Alpha’s penthouse,” he continued. “And she happened to be inside. That’s the closest I’ve ever been to the Luna of Moonclaw.”

“You fool, West!” one of them groaned. “You wasted a priceless opportunity!”

“You try it yourself,” he said, shaking his head. “Try getting close to Alpha Ezra’s Luna. You’ll feel enough adrenaline to last a lifetime without ever stepping onto a battlefield.”

He leaned back casually.

Damon was waiting there.

It wasn’t often that Ezra shared his worries with his Beta. But today, something weighed heavily on his mind.

“Lylah said she wants to talk tonight,” Ezra said quietly. “Something serious.”

Damon raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like good news, Alpha. Why are you worried?”

“I’m afraid it won’t be.” Ezra exhaled slowly. The usual calm authority in his eyes was replaced by something far more vulnerable. “I’m afraid she’ll bring unpleasant news… something that proves I failed her again.” His voice dropped. “That I failed to give her the best. The life she deserves.”

He held Damon’s gaze firmly. “I wouldn’t forgive myself if that happened again. I cannot lose her.”

A dangerous edge crept into his voice. “I would rather burn all of Verdanth to ashes and challenge Selene herself than be separated from her again.”

“Alpha,” Damon said quietly.

There was no confusion in his expression.

In a life long buried beneath the turning of time, he had stood at Ezra’s side–as his soldier, his blade, his most loyal shadow upon the battlefield. Through war and ruin, his allegiance had never wavered.

Damon had carried the truth of Ezra’s past for far longer than anyone realized. He simply played the fool before others, burying the truth beneath a mask of harmless ignorance.

Ezra studied him for a long moment before speaking again.

“Tell me, Darion… will I fail her again?”

The name–Damon name from their past life–hung heavily in the air.

Never before had he seen his commander this shaken. Damon shook his head without hesitation.

“No,” His gaze did not waver. “Fate has given the two of you another chance. And this time will not be like before.” He paused, the weight of memory lingering in his eyes. “I believe that you and she will finally reclaim the future that once slipped through your fingers.”