The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 406

Chapter 406

3rd Person’s POV

Damon ended up staying at a hotel not far from Blackfang territory.

At least, that was what he told himself he was doing.

Because despite every rational thought insisting he should leave Tiara behind and return to Moonclaw, something inside him refused to go too far away from her. His wolf had been restless ever since they left the Ashcroft estate, prowling violently beneath his skin like a beast refusing confinement.

And the most infuriating part?

The cause of it all was her.

That woman truly had a talent for turning his life upside down.

Now, as he stood near the hotel window overlooking the dark pine forests surrounding Blackfang territory. Damon found his thoughts drifting back toward the argument he’d had with his parents earlier that evening.

The memory still irritated him.

“What exactly made you trust Tiara so easily?” he had demanded after leaving the Ashcroft estate. “All my life, you warned me about outsiders. Gold diggers. Opportunists. Females willing to use the Moonclaw name for status and money.”

Juniper and Oberon had exchanged a glance.

Damon pressed on before either could answer.

“You could’ve secured the heir without forcing Tiara into the family. She didn’t need to become my mate for two years. We barely know her.”

Oberon’s eyes sharpened dangerously, and the crushing dominance of an elder Beta rolled through the room like a storm.

“Is this truly the son I raised?” Oberon asked coldly. “A coward who plants his seed inside a woman, then refuses to acknowledge her place beside him afterward?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“No?” Oberon’s voice deepened with warning. “Then explain yourself properly.”

Before the confrontation could worsen, Juniper stepped in smoothly.

“Damon,” she said quietly, disappointment lingering beneath her calm tone, “Tiara carries your pup. Soon, she will become your mate. Whether you admit it or not, your wolf already cares for her.”

Damon’s jaw had tightened hard enough to ache.

Chapter 436

Juniper’s gaze softened almost sadly. “You simply haven’t realized it yet,” she murmured. “And I refuse to let my son spend the rest of his life drowning in regret because he pushed away the woman fate placed in his path.”

The sharp vibration of his phone suddenly shattered the memory.

Damon blinked once before pulling the device from his pocket.

Tiara.

“What?” he answered flatly.

“I wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t important,” Tiara muttered.

There was no arrogance in her voice tonight. No claws. No fire.

Somehow, that unsettled him more.

“My Nana wants you to stay here tonight,” she continued. “Listen, I already know you’ll hate the idea. But…”

A quiet exhale brushed through the line. “But this isn’t for me, Damon. It’s for her. So please.”

His wolf reacted violently to that word.

Please.

No challenge. No mockery. Just sincerity.

Damon shut his eyes briefly in irritation. Some part of him almost preferred when she was snarling at

him.

“Damon-”

“Fine,” he cut in roughly. “Fine. I’ll stay.”

Relief immediately flooded her scent even through the phone.

“I knew you would,” she said, sounding almost shocked herself. “Thank you!”

The line disconnected.

Damon stared at the dark screen for several long seconds.

Then he muttered a curse beneath his breath and dragged a hand through his hair.

She was becoming a problem.

A dangerous one

Back at the Ashcroft home, Tiara slipped her phone into her pocket before returning to the family room. The tension that had been lingering inside the old house finally eased when she spoke.

“Okay. Damon agreed to stay.”

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Chapter 406

Relief swept visibly across the room.

Then her uncle cleared his throat awkwardly.

“There’s something else,” he said carefully.

Tiara frowned.

Finwned

“The Moonclaw family left compensation for us before they departed. Gold. Property deeds. Investment assets. More wealth than our family has ever seen.”

“And?” she asked slowly.

Her uncle exchanged another uneasy glance with his wife before speaking again.

“We discussed it already,” he said. “All of it should belong to you.”

Silence.

Tiara blinked once.

Then fury exploded through her veins so fast her wolf nearly surfaced. “What?”

The word cracked through the room sharply enough to make everyone flinch.

‘No,” she snapped instantly. “Absolutely not. That wealth was given to this household-not me.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why would you hand it over?”

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The Betrayed Princess Rising