The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 205

Chapter 205

Cora’s POV

“Cora!”

Finished

Orion’s voice cut through the courtyard as he strode out from the manor, urgency sharp in every step.

I had invited my family here in Blackfang with the hope of drawing us closer. But standing beside Rowan now, feeling the cold distance rolling off him like a winter wind, I realized just how fragile that hope truly

was.

It was already coming apart.

I didn’t know what had changed, but since returning from what he had vaguely called ‘unfinished business’ in Blackmaw Pack, Rowan had not been the same. Harder. Colder. Untouchable.

Even when I pressed him about Gavriel’s death, he brushed it off with a careless shrug-claiming it was the work of some rival, insignificant and not worth speaking of.

But I knew a lie when I heard one.

Swallowing the ache that flared when he pulled his arm from my touch, I forced a smile toward Orion.

“Welcome to Blackfang,” I said lightly, as though nothing was wrong.

Rowan remained silent.

“Cora, Alpha Rowan-Mother and Father are already waiting for lunch,” Orion added, glancing between

“Really?” I said, turning to Rowan with quiet expectation.

But his expression did not soften.

“Send my apologies to Alpha Eldric and Luna Daia,” Rowan said, his tone distant, clipped. “I have matters that require my attention.”

My heart sank. “Rowan… they traveled all the way from Ironcrest. You can’t be serious.”

“I’ll see them at dinner.”

He leaned down, pressing a brief kiss to my cheek-but there was no warmth in it.

Then he was gone.

The silence he left behind felt heavier than his presence.

“What happened to him, Cora?” Orion muttered,

I blinked, pulled from the hollow space in my chest. “What?”

1/2

1:05 pm P p pp.

Chapter 205

“Don’t pretend you don’t see it. Rowan has changed. Drastically.”

A flicker of irritation stirred beneath my grief. “What exactly are you implying?”

Finished

“The way he looks at you….” Orion hesitated, then pressed on. “There’s no warmth. I don’t even see love for you in him anymore. Is that why he keeps postponing your mating ceremony?” His eyes sharpened. “Did something happen in Lunaris? Did another she-wolf catch his attention-”

The crack of my hand against his face echoed through the courtyard.

“Watch your tongue, Orion,” I snapped, my wolf bristling beneath my skin. “Just because you’re my brother doesn’t mean I’ll hesitate to cast you out if you cross me.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked inside, my pulse still raging.

The dining hall was thick with tension.

Father and mother sat at the head of the table, their presence alone enough to make the air feel heavy.

I forced myself forward.

“Rowan sends his apologies,” I said carefully. “He won’t be joining us for lunch.”

The moment the words left my mouth, Father’s fist slammed against the table.

The impact rattled the silverware, the sound sharp as a warning growl.

“Eldric!” Mother snapped, her tone cutting through the rising tension.

“What kind of insult is this?!” Father’s voice thundered, his Alpha aura flaring, pressing against my chest like a weight. “I come all this way, and he dares dismiss me like I am nothing?”

His gaze shifted to me-cold, assessing.

“And you couldn’t even make him stay? This is a future Luna?” His gaze hardened with disdain. “You have no hold over your mate, Cora. Powerless. That title will be nothing more than an ornament on you.”

My vision blurred, stinging with unshed tears.

Before I could speak, Mother rose swiftly and crossed the room.

“Oh, my sweet daughter,” she murmured, gathering me into her arms. “None of that is true. Don’t cry”

516

2/2

1:06 pm pppp.

The Betrayed Princess Rising