The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Lylah’s POV

Finishe

A maid slipped into my room just as I finished my bath, the scent of lavender still clinging to my skin.

“Alpha Rowan had to leave last night for an urgent new project with allies,” she said briskly. “He’ll be gone for two days. He asked me to tell you that you’ll depart for Silvaris when he returns.”

I didn’t even feel anger anymore–only a thin, bitter smile.

The Omegas here were trained so thoroughly in deception that I sometimes wondered how long Rowan had been teaching them.

And the idea of waiting two days for him? Pathetic. I didn’t need Rowan to get there.

I left the manor without another thought and went to find Tiara.

I told her about the plan and when I was done, her eyes lit up like fire.

“A trip to Silvaris? Just the two of us? And you’re going without Alpha Rowan?!”

“Yes. Just us.”

“Why didn’t you ask me sooner?!” She hugged me so tightly I could feel her pulse before springing to her feet, excitement practically radiating from her.

That afternoon, Tiara and I departed.

Mount Silvaris lay within the Starfall Pack’s territory, not far from here, and traveling in our wolf forms promised its own kind of freedom.

But this time, we came prepared–luxury in our human forms, first–class tickets, a taste of a life I hadn’t fully allowed myself to savor until now.

I had been to Silvaris twice before. The first time was alone, a month after Rowan had brought me to his Pack. The second, alongside him, when his legs still betrayed him with pain.

My previous journey had been grueling–cramped, sweat–stinking train compartments and the ever- present threat of Rogues. Curled against him, I let the steady thrum of his heartbeat calm me.

When Rowan’s pain flared, my wolf carried him without hesitation. Twice my size he leaned on me, but I bore it without complaint. Because his case had always mattered more than my own exhaustion

“How foolish I’ve been,” I murmured, flinching at the memory.

“You said something?” Tiara asked, tilting her head.

“Just realizing how many foolish things I’ve allowed myself to endure.”

When we arrived, dusk had fallen over Starfall Pack, its majestic highlands alive beneath the fading light. My wolf leapt in my chest, aching to run.

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4:13 pm M MM

Chapter 17

Finist

After settling our belongings at the inn, Tiara and I readied ourselves.

The crisp air thrummed with the call of the shift, and we let our wolves take over.

‘Lylah, let’s play catch–up!‘ Tiara’s voice flickered in the mind–link, teasing and playful.

‘Are you challenging me?‘ I shot back, the thrill of the hunt igniting in my veins.

‘I want to see if you’re still fast,‘ she laughed, her reddish fur blending with the shadows of the forest

trunks.

It had been too long since I had given Selestine the freedom she deserved.

‘You won’t make it far.‘ I warned, claws sinking into the moss, then I bolted.

We ran for hours, our wolves chasing the night.

I had almost forgotten the rush of wind and earth beneath me, how intoxicating it feels to run free beneath open skies. Rowan had shifted only a few times since his injury before giving up entirely.

I had mirrored his restraint, holding my wolf in check so he wouldn’t feel alone in his weakness.

But now, I am free.

Late into the night, we shifted back into our human forms and paused at a roadside food stall.

Throughout the evening, I had sensed another presence, a faint pressure against my mind.link, but I forced myself to ignore it.

“Rowan keeps sending me messages,” I muttered, staring down at the phone in my hand now.

“Ignore it. You promised yourself you wouldn’t let him ruin this moment, right?”

‘I’ll be back tomorrow, little Moon, and we’ll depart for the trip. I can’t wait to see you, the message read, every word heavy with his claim.

I rolled my eyes, switched off the device, and shoved it aside.

“Tomorrow we will climb Silvaris and visit the Great Sanctum of the Moon Goddess,” I murmured, my eyes tracing the jagged outlines of the mountain slopes.

The sanctum held a sacred prayer I had once entrusted to the wrong person.

Tomorrow, I will take it back.

“But first…” I hesitated, a small smile tugging at my lips as I glanced at Tiara. “I need to buy something. What kind of gift do you think would suit a little boy?”

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The Betrayed Princess Rising