The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 379

Chapter 379

Lylah’s POV

The confrontation with Cora at the boutique yesterday had already slipped from my mind like something trivial-scattered and forgotten beneath the passing wind. This morning, Ezra and I moved through our usual routine together, peaceful in the quiet intimacy only mates could understand.

The rich scent of cedarwood and dark spice lingered around him as he sat across from me at breakfast, sunlight pouring through the towering windows behind him and glinting faintly against the silver threaded through his dark hair.

Then my phone suddenly lit up against the table.

Tiara.

The moment I opened the message, my eyes widened.

“You have to hear this,” I looked up at him. “Tiara’s going to Moonclaw tomorrow. To Damon’s family estate.”

Ezra’s brow lifted slightly.

I quickly read the rest of the message, disbelief growing with every line

“She said she and Damon’s parents made an agreement.” I blinked slowly. “Tiara agreed to keep the baby and pretend to become Damon’s mate for two years. In exchange, Damon’s family will support her financially, protect her, and help erase suspicion surrounding the pregnancy.”

Even saying it aloud sounded surreal.

“And when the agreement ends,” I continued, “they’ll give her assets here in Lunaris. Businesses. Property. Enough for her to build a future entirely on her own.”

For a second, I could only stare at the screen.

Then a laugh escaped me softly. “She actually agreed to it.”

Across from me, Ezra leaned back in his chair, completely unsurprised.

“That sounds beneficial for both sides,” he said calmly. “Your best friend is smarter than most.”

I nodded slowly.

It really did sound exactly like Tiara. Even cornered, she always found a way to turn the game back in her favor.

As if sensing we were talking about her, my phone suddenly buzzed with an incoming call.

I answered immediately.

“Tiara,” I said, barely waiting for greetings, “does Damon even know about this arrangement between you and his parents?”

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Chapter 370

A lazy yawn drifted through the phone.

“Maybe,” she replied carelessly. “Maybe not. But does he actually care?” Her tone turned dry. “It’s his family desperate for an heir. Whether he knows or not, I doubt it matters to him.”

Something about her words made my wolf stir uneasily.

I remembered the look in Damon’s eyes at the treatment center-the violent possessiveness. that had erupted the moment Tiara said she wont giving birth to the pup.

“You’re really going tomorrow?” I asked quietly.

“Unfortunately yes,” Tiara sighed. “A deal is a deal.”

My fingers tightened slightly around the phone.

Images from my own visit to Moonclaw rose instantly in my mind-the suffocating scrutiny of Ezra’s insufferable elders, their sharp eyes and colder words hidden beneath noble smiles. The thought of Tiara walking alone into the same den of wolves made unease tighten painfully in my chest.

“I have classes tomorrow,” I said carefully, “but maybe I can leave early and accompany you there. If you don’t want to go alone-”

“Lylah.” Tiara cut me off immediately, sounding half amused. “That’s completely unnecessary.”

I hesitated.

I wasn’t worried about Tiara being weak. I was worried about what those elders might say to her. A she-wolf pregnant outside a mating ceremony. Carrying the heir of one of the most powerful bloodlines in Verdanth.

Some would see her as a blessing.

Others would see her as a stain.

As if reading my thoughts perfectly, Tiara snorted softly through the phone.

“Are you worried because… the elders are going to insult me for carrying Damon’s pup outside a mating ceremony?” Her voice sharpened with dangerous confidence. “Without me, their precious Beta bloodline could disappear entirely. They’d better thank me I slept with their son that night.”

A grin tugged at my lips despite myself.

There it was.

That sharp-edged pride. That fearless confidence made Tiara impossible to crush.

Her voice lowered slightly, silk wrapped around steel. “Lylah darling, if any of those old wolves try to bare their teeth at me, I’ll remind them exactly who holds their future in her hands.” A soft laugh followed. “So no, I’m not worried. They are.”

Even through the phone, I could almost feel her wolf lifting its head proudly beneath this twist of fate.

And somehow… instead of worrying more, I found myself smiling. “You’re damn right.”

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11:44 Tue, May 12 M

The Benaved Princess Rising