The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 287

Chapter 287

Lylah’s POV

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I wanted to hold on to the anger. It burned hot and righteous in my chest, sharp enough to steady me. I needed it, needed something solid to brace against the way they spoke about Ezra, as if he were nothing more than a position waiting to be filled.

But no matter how tightly I clung to it, something inside me began to unravel.

The fire dimmed. Folded in on itself. And in its place came something softer.

Sadness.

It swept through me in a slow, crushing wave, stealing the air from my lungs. A deep, aching throb pulsed through my chest, as though an invisible thread had been hooked into my very being and pulled taut. My breath faltered.

Was this… our mate bond?

“That’s not how family should speak of each other, Ezra,” I said quietly, “What makes them treat you like this?”

I knew this pain-the kind that came not from enemies, but from those meant to stand beside you.

And I wouldn’t let my mate carry it alone.

A smile touched his lips, caught me off guard.

“I don’t see anything funny,” I muttered, nudging his arm.

His smile deepened, softer now, almost fond.

“Hearing you being so protective of me… It makes me happy. But truly, you don’t need to worry about it, my love.”

Before I could answer, a voice cut cleanly through the room.

“Lylah!”

Conversations stilled. Heads turned.

Vargan was already striding toward us, his sharp eyes bright with recognition. He took my hand without hesitation and turned to face the gathered wolves.

“You can all put an end to that meaningless discussion,” he announced, his voice carrying the unmistakable weight of authority. “Your Alpha and Luna have arrived.”

“Luna?” someone echoed.

An elder stepped forward, her gaze cold and measuring, devoid of warmth. It settled on me like a blade.

I met it head-on.

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Even as uncase coiled beneath my skin, I smiled.

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“So this is the Luna of Moonclaw,” she said slowly. “Alpha Ezra’s mate? I assumed it was nothing more than a

rumor.”

Another voice followed, smooth but edged. “She is indeed a beautiful lady. Fitting, perhaps. Though it is rather unfortunate.” His eyes flicked to Ezra. “Why were none of us informed of your mating ceremony?”

A third joined in, “When you choose a mate, Ezra, you are not only choosing for yourself-you are choosing a Luna for this entire pack. We are your elders. We had every right to witness it!”

“And which pack is she from?” someone else added, openly scrutinizing me. “I’ve never seen her before. She looks…” His gaze dragged over me, dismissive. “Fragile. Moonclaw is not a place for the delicate. Tell me, Luna, surely you are not with our Alpha simply because of his status?”

The temperature dropped.

I felt it before I saw it.

Ezra’s aura darkened, something ancient and predatory stirring beneath his skin. Ager flashing like bared fangs beneath the surface.

Without thinking, I slipped my hand into his.

Grounding him.

Anchoring him.

“I understand your concerns,” I said, forcing calm into my voice despite the tension tightening my chest. “But I assure you, I am not with Ezra for something so shallow.”

Asharp laugh cut through the moment.

“Funny how you all suddenly care now.”

Zyrelle stepped forward, her presence slicing through the crowd as she came to stand beside us. “And trying to meddle in Ezra’s affairs after all this time?”

“Suddenly?” one of the elders scoffed. “We are his family, Zyrelle. It is our responsibility to be concerned. Since his parents passed, it has been our duty to ensure what is best for him and for Moonclaw. We are bound by blood. He should at least respect us.”

“Family…” I echoed softly.

But there was nothing soft in my gaze.

I let it sweep over them-one by one-taking in the faces that claimed that word so easily.

“The only people Ezra has ever named to me as his own family…” I continued, my voice steady now, “…are Grandfather Vargan, Lady Zyrelle, and Beta Damon. They are the only ones I’ve seen stand beside him. The only ones who have ever reached out.”

My fingers tightened slightly around Ezra’s.

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“As for the rest of you…” My gaze hardened. “If your idea of concern is silence year after year, only to appear when it suits you to question him, to judge him, then tell me… what is that, if not a false pack dressed as family, poised to drive the blade into their own Alpha?”

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The Betrayed Princess Rising