The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 311

Chapter 311

Cora’s POV

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Finished

I hadn’t realized how long she’d been standing there, but it hardly mattered. If anything, I was glad Lylah had heard everything: the praise from Professor Vale, the admiration in my friends’ voices, the quiet envy they couldn’t quite hide.

Let her see it all. Let her feel the difference between us.

Because every time I saw her, she was alone.

A lone wolf, they called it. Lone wolves were usually the ones no one chose. I called it what it was-pathetic.

“Lylah,” I said, letting sweetness lace my voice as I turned toward her. “Why stand so far away? Come closer, if you’re so interested in our conversation.”

“Lylah, come here,” Seraphina chimed, her tone bright but edged with mockery. She lifted my wrist deliberately, letting the bracelet catch the light like captured starlight. “Aren’t you curious about Alpha Rowan’s gift for Cora? It’s exquisite. Not many males would go to such lengths… especially when the bond is already secured, right?”

Lylah didn’t so much as glance at it.

“I’m not interested,” she said flatly. “You’re blocking the way.”

The air shifted.

My wolf stirred, a low, restless growl curling beneath my skin. That indifference as though I were nothing, ignited something sharp and burning in my chest.

Who does she think she is?

“Why do you sound so bitter?” I murmured, stepping into her space, my voice honeyed but laced with something far less kind. “You just walked out of Professor Grimwood’s office, didn’t you?” I tilted my head, studying her face like something to be picked apart. “Did he finally say what everyone’s been thinking about your work?”

A soft laugh slipped from my lips, “Oh, don’t look like that. Those comments aren’t even official yet. Just preliminary impressions.”

She didn’t flinch.

“Not yet, perhaps,” she replied coolly. “Though I see someone is already celebrating.” Her gaze flicked to my bracelet, then back to me. “When reality catches up, I doubt I’ll be the one

15:46 Mon, Apr 20

Chapter 311

disappointed.”

For a fraction of a second, my wolf bristled.

Then she walked past me.

Just like that.

Behind me, a chuckle rippled through the corridor.

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Finished

“Why is she always so bitter like that?” Seraphina muttered. “I heard she has a mate already, maybe he didn’t even bother giving her anything for the New Moon?”

“Maybe,” another voice added. “Not after seeing how devoted Alpha Rowan is to Cora. Anyone would burn with jealousy.”

A smile curved at my lips, slow and satisfied.

Let her hear them. Let it sink in.

My phone rang before I could add anything else. The sound cut clean through the chatter, sharp enough to pull me away.

I turned, stepping aside as I answered.

“Yes, Father?” I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice. His calls never came without inconvenience.

“We’ve arrived in Lunaris,” he said. “I realized I didn’t arrange any proper accommodations yet. Can you find us a suitable estate?”

I frowned slightly. “Us?”

“Your family, of course. Your mother, your brother, and I.” His tone carried that familiar, expectant weight. “We’re here for the Lunaris Research Center. You know they’ve been scouting the most gifted wolves across Verdanth. Your brother has the mind for it, I’m certain he’ll be accepted. Once Orion graduates from Ironcrest College, he’ll step right in.”

My fingers tightened around the phone,

A strange, creeping cold slid through my chest, sinking deep into my bones.

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