The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 389

Chapter 389

3rd Person’s POV

She shot upright so fast the blankets tangled around her legs.

“Damn it,” Lylah muttered, panic instantly surging through her veins. Guilt clawed at her chest as she shoved a hand through her hair. “I overslept. Ezra must’ve already gone ahead…”

The bedroom door opened before she could spiral further.

“So the sleeping Luna finally awakens.”

Lylah turned sharply to find Zyrelle leaning against the doorway with folded arms, amusement dancing in her sharp eyes.

“Ezra already left,” she said casually. “He didn’t want to wake you.

Lylah groaned softly and pressed both hands over her face. “I’m an idiot. I should’ve gotten up earlier.”

“You’re overreacting.” Zyrelle pushed off the doorway and walked inside. “The event hasn’t officially started yet.” Her lips curved faintly. “But your mate is the head of Lunaris Research Center. Ezra had to arrive early unless he wanted Archer and the others breathing down his neck all night.”

At that, some of the panic loosened inside Lylah’s chest.

“Ezra already arranged everything,” Zyrelle continued. “Your seat, your escort, all of it. Someone will guide you once you arrive.” She lifted a brow. “So stop looking like the world is ending. Get dressed. I’ll drive you there.”

Relief hit Lylah hard enough to make her knees weak.

“Thank you, Zyrelle.”

After a rushed bath, Lylah prepared herself quickly.

By the time she finished dressing, her exhaustion had vanished beneath sharpened instinct. She stared at her reflection one last time before leaving. Then she and Zyrelle departed for the city hall.

Lunaris’ grand central hall blazed beneath the night like a palace forged from gold and moonlight.

Towering marble pillars lined the entrance while enchanted lanterns cast warm amber light across the sprawling courtyard. Luxury vehicles arrived one after another, releasing wolves wrapped in velvet, jewels, and expensive scents into the crisp evening air.

Zyrelle pulled to a stop near the entrance steps.

“I’ll spend my evening somewhere less suffocating,” she muttered dryly.

Lylah huffed a quiet laugh before stepping out.

The moment her heels touched the marble ground, countless scents flooded her senses at once-perfume, wine, polished cedar, expensive leather.

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Chapter 389

“Luna Lylah?”

May

A young woman approached quickly through the crowd with a polite smile.

“I’m Vanessa,” she introduced warmly. “Zephyr’s mate. He works under Alpha Ezra at the Research Center.”

Recognition flickered faintly through Lylah’s mind.

Vanessa dipped her head respectfully. “Alpha Ezra asked me to stay by your side tonight since he’ll be busy handling matters for the venture.”

Lylah relaxed slightly.

At least she wouldn’t have to walk into an event this massive alone.

“Thank you, Vanessa.”

Together, they started toward the grand entrance.

The closer they drew, the thicker the atmosphere became. Conversations drifted through the air in elegant murmurs while crystal chandeliers gleamed beyond the massive open doors.

Lylah barely recognized half the faces around her.

Then,

“Lylah?” The familiar voice carried surprise more than hostility.

She halted instantly.

Turning, she found Orion standing several feet away, dressed sharply in formal navy attire. His eyes widened slightly upon seeing her.

“Orion?”

Before either of them could say more, another voice cracked through the air like a whip.

“You foolish boy!”

The pressure of Alpha dominance slammed outward a second later.

“How many times have I warned you not to approach her?”

Eldric.

The Alpha of Ironcrest descended the marble steps beside Daia, both dressed in luxurious velvet finery befitting high-ranking guests. Lylah’s eyes narrowed faintly.

What was he even doing here?

This event was exclusive to Lunaris’ circles. Eldric had no established business standing within the city.

So how had he secured entry?

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13:06 Wed, May 13 MJO

Chapter 389

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“Father.” Orion said carefully, tension immediately entering his scent, “I was only surprised to see Lylah

here.”

“And what she’s doing here is none of our concern,” Eldric sneered.

His cold eyes swept over Lylah from head to toe with open contempt.

“Perhaps she came searching for another powerful male to cling to.” His lips curled. “That does seem to be what she’s best at.”

Vanessa stiffened beside her.

Eldric continued mercilessly, “Or maybe she simply followed behind that troublesome mate of hers like a stray begging for shelter.”

A dangerous silence settled.

Lylah felt her wolf stir beneath her skin-not wounded.

Her chin lifted slightly. “It’s strange hearing that from you,” she replied evenly. “Considering you’re the one who doesn’t belong here.”

“This venture isn’t open to every pack,” Lylah continued calmly. “And Ironcrest has no business roots in

Lunaris.”

Eldric’s eyes flashed gold.

The beast beneath his skin surged violently enough for his aura to ripple outward in sharp waves.

“So you wish to compare status with me?” he said darkly. “The Alpha of Ironcrest versus a discarded nobody like you?” His voice lowered into a threatening growl. “Very well. Let’s see who truly has the right to stand here tonight.”

Vanessa’s anger spiked instantly beside her.

But before Vanessa could speak, Lylah reached over and gently caught her wrist.

“It’s fine,” she murmured. “Let’s go.”

Then, without another glance toward Eldric, Lylah turned and walked toward the entrance.

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13:07 Wed, May 13 M

The Betrayed Princess Rising