The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 425

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Chapter 425

3rd Person’s POV

Volunteer assignment.

Next week.

Leaving.

Each word struck Ezra as a blade dragged across raw instinct.

His wolf rose violently beneath his skin.

Away.

Lylah would be away from him.

The possessive creature inside him hated the thought with immediate, savage intensity.

“How long?” Ezra asked at last, though his voice had gone noticeably rougher.

“Two weeks,” Lylah explained gently. “It’s part of the department’s program for selected students. I still don’t know where they’ll send us yet, but…” She gave a small helpless smile. “I’ll be away from home for a while. So your plan about reviewing the project together every evening…” Her fingers brushed lightly against his wrist. “We’ll have to postpone it.”

Silence settled inside the car.

For one brief moment, Lylah thought he had accepted it.

Then suddenly,

Ezra reached forward and pressed the divider button.

The glass slid down instantly.

“Tell Archer to postpone the progress meetings,” Ezra ordered flatly. “I’m taking two weeks off.”

Zyrelle nearly swerved.

“What?” she blurted, staring at him through the mirror as she’d just witnessed the moon fall out of the sky. “Are you crazy?”

“Don’t listen to him,” Lylah said quickly before Zyrelle could say more. “He’s joking.”

Then she turned back toward Ezra fully.

And this time, she made sure every word reached him clearly.

“What is this, Ezra?” she asked softly, though there was unmistakable firmness beneath it. “You’re going to abandon your responsibilities because of me? Leave your team behind? Delay your entire project?”

His jaw tightened.

“I can’t be away from you.”

“You said you’ll be gone for two weeks,” he continued quietly. “Out there alone.” His gaze darkened, silver flickering faintly beneath the surface. “Lunar Grace may provide protection, but how am I supposed to stay calm if I can’t make sure myself?”