The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200

3rd Person’s POV

“Yes, Mr. Stone? Please, go ahead.”

Finished

He had been her mentor back at Blackfang College-one of the very few who had treated her as an equal. While other mentors looked down on her, whispering behind her back, questioning her place, Stone never once did.

“Lylah, the graduation ceremony is tomorrow.” he began, his tone carrying a note of hesitation, “You remember how we always hold a series of events afterward, don’t you?”

A faint smile touched her lips. Of course, she remembered.

“And the students I’ve been mentoring were hoping you might attend as an honored guest.” he continued. A quiet chuckle followed. “It seems they’ve been keeping up with you. They’re very proud you made it into Lunar Grace.”

Before she could respond, he added quickly, “Wait,”

The call shifted.

The screen flickered, then filled with faces-bright-eyed, eager, and achingly familiar.

“Lylah-sister! I’m your secret admirer!”

“It’s been so long since you came back! Will you attend this time?”

“Do you still remember us?”

The voices overlapped, full of life and excitement, their energy practically spilling through the screen.

Lylah’s chest tightened.

“Emerie… Ben… Donna,” she said softly, her gaze warming as she took them in one by one, “Of course I remember you all.”

More voices chimed in, calling her name, asking the same question again and again-come back. Visit Blackfang. Please.

“I’m sorry, Lylah,” Stone said, dragging a hand over his face with a sigh. “I tried to reason with them, but they wouldn’t listen.”

Lylah fell silent.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her phone as her thoughts drifted-back to Rowan’s estate, to the cold stares of pack members who had never truly accepted her, and to everything she had given them, even when it had never been returned.

She hadn’t planned to return.

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Chapter 200

Not after everything.

Finished

But beyond the shadows of the past, there were still people waiting for her. People who had looked up to her, who had seen her strength when she had barely believed in it herself.

Her juniors.

Their hopeful voices still echoed in her ears.

It would only be for a day.

*I think…” she began carefully, then steadied herself. “I think I can come.”

“Really?” Stone’s voice lit up instantly.

“Yes,” Lylah said, though her gaze softened with something more thoughtful. “But there’s something you should know. You remember I didn’t come to Lunar Grace as a student. I came because of the junior assistant position you offered me.”

‘Yes, but that’s changed now, hasn’t it?” Stone replied quickly. “You’ve already secured your place as an undergraduate Healer.”

‘I have, but…” Lylah hesitated, her wolf stirring faintly, uneasy. “I don’t want to disappoint them. There are others far more suited for recognition. Soren, for example, she arrived and was immediately accepted as a full student.”

There was a pause. “You mean Lancel’s daughter?”

‘Yes.”

‘Hmm.” Stone sounded unconvinced. “I doubt my students even know who Soren is. Let alone have any nterest in seeing her.”

Lylah bit the inside of her cheek.

As long as Rowan remained in Lunaris, she should be fine. It would only be for a day after all, she told herself. She could leave as quickly as she arrived.

And she wanted to see them. To surprise Tiara. To meet those Blackfang students again.

That mattered far more than any lingering hate of crossing paths with Rowan again.

‘I’ll attend,” Lylah said finally.

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The Betrayed Princess Rising