The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266

3rd Person’s POV

Finished

Tiara’s words fell like venom. Whatever sympathy she might have once held for Cora had long since withered, burned away by what had been done to Lylah. And she had no intention of hiding her disdain.

Across from her, Griselda stiffened, genuine shock flashing in her eyes before she carefully smoothed it over with a mask of wounded propriety.

“Oh Goddess, what a poisonous tongue,” Griselda murmured, pressing a hand to her chest as though stricken. “Sir Jude, did you hear that? Tiara Ashcroft, how can you be so vile? Lady Cora will soon be your Luna. She has shown you nothing but kindness, and yet you…” She sighed, shaking her head. “So cruelly insulting her over something so trivial.”

At first, Jude had been indifferent. A necklace was nothing.

But then Tiara, Lylah’s friend, spoke.

Something in him shifted.

His wolf stirred beneath his skin, rising fast and sharp, hackles bristling with instinctive protectiveness. He had always avoided entangling himself in the strained dynamic between Cora and her so-called adopted sister.

Now, for the first time, he thought he understood.

“Enough, Griselda,” Jude said, his voice clipped. “We’ll find something else for Cora.” His gaze slid past her, landing on Lylah with a chill edge. “Something far more valuable than that necklace.”

“No…” Griselda answered, “Lady Cora said she wanted this exact design. There’s none left in all of Verdanth. Tiara, can’t you just-”

“Hand it over?” Tiara cut in, her tone suddenly calm, almost bored. “No. I saw it first. I wanted it. So I bought it.” She tilted her head slightly, her gaze cool and unwavering. “If Cora truly desired it, she should have reserved it. In a store like this, the rule is simple-first come, first served.”

Jude’s patience snapped.

He turned to her fully, his eyes darkening. Something colder and more dangerous is surfacing. “Is this your first time, Lady Ashcroft?”

“What?” Tiara blinked, caught off guard.

“Your first time owning something of real value?” His lips curved faintly, but there was no warmth in them. “The way you cling to it, your greed, is rather telling.” His gaze dragged over her, measured and cutting. “And to insult Cora over a mere necklace? Frankly, it’s embarrassing. I suggest you keep it hidden once you have it or your family in Blackfang might wonder how you could afford such luxuries.”

He paused, voice dropping into something silkier, sharper. “Though, I suppose here in Lunaris, a young and beautiful she-wolf has… many easy ways to earn.”

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Chapter 266

The words struck like claws raking across flesh.

For a heartbeat, silence fell.

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Finished

Jude allowed himself a small, satisfied smirk. The famed designer-so poised, so admired-had just revealed her true nature for all to see. Spat without hesitation at an innocent woman.

“Perhaps this piece will suit your taste, sir,” the clerk interjected nervously, stepping forward with a velvet- lined tray.

Jude’s attention shifted.

His hand lifted, fingers reaching when suddenly,

A blur.

No one saw the moment Lylah moved. One second she stood still beside Tiara. The next, the air itself seemed to split.

A sharp, wet sound tore through the room.

The scent of blood flooded the space-rich and metallic.

“Lylah!” Griselda gasped, fingers flying to her lips. Horror flooded her features, pale and trembling. “Y-you attacked Sir Jude…!” Her voice broke, then rose, “How could you?!”

Jude staggered back a fraction, eyes widening-not in pain, but in stunned disbelief.

Warm blood slid down his skin where her claws had sliced cleanly through. Yet it was not the wound that held him frozen.

It was her.

Lylah stood before him, her breathing slow and deliberate, her fingers still tipped with elongated, gleaming claws. The calm-looking girl was gone.

In her place stood something feral. Her eyes burned violet and wild, catching the light like a predator poised to kill.

“Insult my friend again and I’ll rip your spine out through your mouth…” Lylah took a slow step forward, “…and wear it as a necklace for Cora to choke on.”

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The Betrayed Princess Rising