The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 187

Ezra’s POV

I let the silence stretch as I watched Peter and Logan sit rigid across from me. Their bodies were too still, controlled–but their wolves betrayed them. Fear bled into the air in sharp, sour waves, the instinct to submit curling low beneath their skin. They were choosing every word, every breath, with care.

Good.

That was exactly why I had arranged this dinner.

Peter, especially, needed to learn. What he and Rowan had done–what led to that accident that happened to my Lylah–was not something I intended to forgive.

Never.

Vargan had insisted on coming the moment I told him Lylah was here. He arrived not long ago, bringing Ivar with him–the same Ivar whose name alone could unsettle seasoned warriors. The shift in Peter and Logan’s scent when they saw them had been immediate… thicker, heavier with unease.

Now, Ivar remained seated beside me, a silent storm contained in human form, while Vargan had taken Lylah outside.

I set my glass down with deliberate calm. “Let’s not waste time.”

Both men stiffened further.

“Rowan Blackfang proposed a collaboration with Lunar Grace,” I continued, my voice even, “and you accepted without hesitation.”

Peter swallowed hard. “Y–yes, Alpha. But only because my proposal to you was declined before–I believed it was an opportunity. I didn’t know…” His voice tightened. “I didn’t know the nature of his connection to your Luna. Had I known, I would never have allowed him anywhere near her.”

“Alpha Rowan has learned his lesson,” Logan added quickly, his tone careful. “He wouldn’t dare cross you again.”

A quiet chuckle left me, cold and humorless.

“Wouldn’t he?” I tilted my head slightly. “He drugged my Luna. At that meeting.”

Peter’s hands curled into fists. “How dare he…”

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“Peter,” I said mildly, gesturing to the man beside me, “you remember who this is, don’t you?”

Peter’s gaze flickered to Ivar, and something like shame flashed across his face.

“How could I forget,” Peter said. “Commander Ivar was my trainer and mentor when I was still young- back when I still had the fire for battle.”

Ivar leaned back in his chair, utterly unimpressed.

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12:46 am

Chapter 187

W

Finished

“And here I am, too ashamed to admit you were ever my student, Peter,” Ivar said coldly. “To see you now —stripped of your morals, standing behind a man like Rowan Blackfang? Power has truly fainted your heart.”

“It’s not like that,” Peter insisted, his voice strained. “I truly didn’t know what kind of person Alpha Rowan

was.”

Logan said nothing, but the embarrassment rolling off him was just as loud.

I let the tension coil tighter before speaking again.

“The project you started with Rowan,” I said, my gaze settling on Logan, “Damon tells me you’ve been seeking additional investors.”

Logan nodded stiffly. “Yes, Alpha.”

“I’ll fund it.”

Both of them froze.

“Not partially,” I added, picking up my glass again. “I’ll fund the entire project. From beginning to end.”

Logan’s eyes widened, disbelief flickering across his face. “Alpha…?”

I took a slow sip, savoring the moment before setting the glass down again.

“One condition.”

The air shifted. Even their wolves seemed to lean in.

“You will remove Rowan Blackfang from his position as a core holder,” I said, my voice dropping just enough to let the command settle deep. “Strip him down to something insignificant. You will take control of the project, and every move you make will be reported to me.”

I held Logan’s gaze, my dominance settling over him like a quiet, inescapable weight.

“Let me be crystal clear,” I added softly. “Rowan Blackfang will hold no power here whatsoever.”

Logan looked like he’d forgotten how to breathe.

Beside me, Ivar scoffed. “What are you hesitating for, Silver? Opportunities like this don’t come twice. Take it. As for Rowan… you can deal with that problem later.”

Logan swallowed hard, then bowed his head.

“Yes, Alpha.”

I leaned back and raised my glass again, letting the moment settle.

The sip was slow.

Satisfaction burned rich on my tongue.

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