The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64

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3rd Person’s POV

Rowan had endured humiliation in many forms throughout his life. Challenges to his pack. Betrayals from allies. Battles that had shattered his empires and left rivals broken at his paws. But none of it compared to what unfolded before his eyes now.

Lylah moved to kiss Ezra again.

Not a fleeting brush. Not a forced courtesy.

It was a claiming kiss.

Ezra, his rival. The bastard who challenged not only his authority, but his tech empire, his influence, his very standing in Verdanth.

Rowan lunged forward, his wolf surging violently beneath his skin. But Gavriel seized him from behind. iron–strong arms locking around his chest, while Damon stepped into his path, blocking him without hesitation.

“Lylah!” Rowan’s voice shattered through the hall, raw with fury and disbelief.

From where he stood, her lips lingered on Ezra’s far too long. Too intimate.

Her lips were a line Rowan had never crossed. He had kissed her brow, her temple, and the corner of her mouth. He had told her it was a matter of respect. But in truth, it had been possession.

A prize meant for their bonding night. A purity Rowan had claimed in his mind long before any

ceremony.

Now all of it was shattered.

Another Alpha had claimed it.

When they finally parted, Lylah’s eyes gleamed, her cheeks flushed, her scent thick with heightened emotion.

Rowan’s chest burned like it had been carved open.

Before he could speak, the massive doors of the hall burst inward.

Two powerful figures entered, their auras rolling through the chamber like a pressure wave. Lesser wolves instinctively lowered their gazes. Even the air seemed to tighten beneath their authority.

“Thorvald Storm…” Bjorn, High Judge of Lunaris, went pale. The very male Rowan had paid a fortune to control this outcome now looked terrified.

Rowan bared his teeth slightly. “Who are they?” he demanded. “They’re not going to ruin our plan, are they?”

Bjorn swallowed hard. “Alpha Rowan, my apologies, but-”

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Chapter 64

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“How dare you, Bjorn?” Thorvald Storm roared. His voice carried layered dominance. “What gives you the right to summon Alpha Ezra and his Luna here and disturb their peace?”

“I am the High Mayor of Lunaris.” Thorvald’s gaze swept the room like a blade. “Anyone who dares interfere with Alpha Ezra will answer to me.”

Rowan’s eyes flashed.

He had believed securing Bjorn meant victory was already in his grasp.

How wrong he had been.

“It appears my Alpha and his Luna were summoned,” a younger male said coolly, stepping forward, “because someone filed a petition to annul their mating bond, claiming it violated Verdanth law.”

His gaze locked with Rowan’s.

“I am Sigurd North,” he continued. “Alpha Ezra’s personal attorney. I have secured evidence that will make our plaintiff regret ever bringing this before a court.”

Rowan’s wolf snarled beneath his skin.

“Mr. North, that will not be necessary,” Thorvald cut in sharply. His eyes turned to Rowan, hard and unimpressed. “Alpha Rowan Blackfang, your presumption is astonishing.”

“Alpha Ezra and his Luna’s bond is fully legal,” Thorvald continued. “Recognized under Pack Law and Verdanth’s highest statutes. I personally handled their mating license. I welcomed them myself when Alpha Ezra brought his Luna to Lunaris. How dare you question it?”

Rowan’s gaze snapped to Bjorn.

The judge would not meet his eyes.

“Bjorn,” Thorvald commanded, pointing. “After this, you will issue a formal apology to Alpha Ezra and his Luna for enabling this disgrace.”

“I will,” Bjorn said quietly, bowing his head.

Rowan felt something twist violently in his chest.

After all the bribes. The leverage. The obscene amounts demanded.

Just to watch this fool betray him?

“Alpha we’ve lost this,” Gavriel said under his breath. “The path is closed. If we stay, they will move against

1. us. Let’s leave.”

Thorvald turned to Ezra and bowed deeply.

“I offer my apologies once again for this insult, Alpha,” Thorvald said. “You and your Luna will not be disturbed again. You have my word.”

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Chapter 64

“Very well,” Ezra replied smoothly, his voice calm. “Then this matter is settled?”

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“Yes.” Thorvald reached into his coat and produced a sealed file. “I even brought the archived record of your mating license. Officially stamped by Lunaris City Hall.”

He opened the file and thrust it into Rowan’s line of sight. There’s Ezra and Lylah on it, the Lunaris seal glowing faintly over the photo.

Whispers rippled through the hall. Rowan’s ears burned as they reached him–mockery, pity, murmurs that he had never truly let go of his past.

Amid it all, Lylah spoke.

Her voice was soft but it burned hotter than any roar.

“You heard that, Alpha Rowan,” she said calmly, lifting her chin. “You bring your lawyers. We have ours. If I ever hear you slandering my mating bond again, we will see you in court. And we will let all of Verdanth witness it.”

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