The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 236

Chapter 236

Lylah’s POV

“Yes, I’m already back in Lunaris,” I said, leaning into the seat.

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Finished

“Oh, thank the Goddess,” Iris exhaled dramatically. “I was half convinced Blackfang would trap you there forever. I can’t wait to see you at Lunar Grace tomorrow. We’ll hang out like always.”

“Me too.” I replied, though the dullness in my voice betrayed me.

“Is everything alright?” Iris asked, her tone shifting. “Why do you sound so down?”

I hesitated, then released a quiet breath. “Iris… can you believe it? Ezra left me. I woke up, and he was already gone.”

“Gone?” Her voice sharpened instantly. “Left? What do you mean? Did he go back to Moonclaw?”

‘No, no,” I said quickly. “He just… left for work. Damon said he had something to handle and asked him to takeʻme back later. We’ll see each other again, but still…” I frowned, staring out the window. “How could I not feel disappointed? The last thing I saw before I fell asleep was him, and then I woke up and he was gone.”

Silence lingered for a heartbeat.

Then Iris burst into laughter.

‘Lylah! You scared me for a second,” she said between breaths. “I thought he abandoned you or something dramatic like that.”

‘Iris-”

‘But your feelings,” she continued, her tone softening with amusement, “they’re completely normal for mates. Whether you realize it or not, his presence has already settled into you. Your wolf recognizes him as part of your world now. So when he’s not there…” She hummed lightly. “Of course it feels wrong.”

I blinked. “Really?”

“Congratulations,” Iris added cheerfully. “You can stop pretending now. That’s not just a crush anymore. You’re attached to him.”

“Iris!”

“Alright, alright,” she cut in playfully. “I’ll leave you to process that. See you tomorrow, darling.”

The line went dead before I could respond.

I stared at my phone, speechless.

Damon’s soft chuckle broke the silence.

Heat crept up my face, and I looked away.

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12:49 pm P

Chapter 236

Finished

We reached the penthouse not long after, and I stepped inside without hesitation-

Only to stop short.

Darkness greeted me. The curtains hung drawn, sealing off every trace of light. The city beyond had dissolved into nothing more than a distant, muted pulse. The usual hum of Bambi was gone.

No movement. No sound.

And beneath it all, a faint, unmistakable trace of Ezra.

My wolf stirred instantly, recognizing him before my mind could catch up, drawn forward as though by an invisible tether pulled taut in the dark. I moved deeper into the room.

Then I saw him.

He stood by the table in the living area, his back to me. His scent wrapped around me-sandalwood, night air, and something darker beneath it that always pulled at my core. His broad shoulders tensed as he arranged something with careful precision.

“Ezra?”

He stiffened, then turned-

But I didn’t let him speak.

I crossed the distance in a heartbeat and threw myself into him, my arms wrapping tightly around his frame, uncaring of dignity or restraint. My wolf surged forward-relieved, soothed, whole again.

When I finally pulled back, my gaze drifted to the table.

A Dawn Rose rested in a vase.

Beside it lay a pair of bracelets unmistakably crafted as a set.

And a ring.

No-

Two.

One shimmered with diamonds, catching even the faintest light. The other remained simpler, yet no less deliberate. A matched pair. For mates.

Understanding struck all at once.

My eyes snapped back to his. “You lied again,” I said, my breath catching. “Damon lied too.”

My voice softened, though accusation threaded through it.

“You didn’t leave for work. You left to get these, didn’t you?” I stepped closer, my gaze searching his. “You made me stay behind so you could come back first to set this up. You planned all of this to surprise me.”

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12:49 pm

The Betrayed Princess Rising