The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 312

Chapter 312

3rd Person’s POV

VPH

46

Finished

The heavy expectation in Eldric’s voice as he asked her for help struck like a whip, and Cora’s wolf stirred, agitated beneath her skin. But it was the pride that followed-rich and unmistakable-as he spoke of his son, the heir of Ironcrest, that cut deeper.

He had never sounded like that when he spoke of her.

His daughter.

Cora’s teeth clenched, her jaw tightening as something sharp and feral twisted in her chest.

“You’re certain Orion will be accepted into the Lunaris Research Center?” she asked, her tone deceptively calm. “They’ve turned Rowan away more than once, so have many of Lunaris’s most brilliant minds. And yet you’re certain my brother who isn’t even half as capable as my mate, will be accepted as one of their engineers?”

The silence on the other end lasted only a heartbeat before it shattered.

“What kind of sister are you,” Eldric snarled, his voice cracking like thunder as the edge of his wolf bled through, “to speak of your own brother that way? Instead of standing with your blood, you bare your teeth at him. And don’t you dare compare my son to Rowan.”

The words coiled, venomous, in Cora’s chest.

“Once Orion enters that field, he will build something greater than Corlis Prime. He will raise Ironcrest’s name above even Blackfang in the tech world. Do you understand me?”

Jealousy flickered before it hardened into something colder.

Cora exhaled slowly, her wolf retreating into a watchful silence.

“Yes,” she said.

It was easier that way.

“Our accommodations, Cora,” Eldric went on, as though nothing had passed between them. “Don’t forget. And arrange a proper welcome dinner for your brother. Invite Rowan as well. You will both attend tonight.”

Something in Cora snapped.

“I’m busy with my studies,” she said, the edge in her voice no longer concealed. “And Rowan has his own responsibilities. We won’t be attending. I’ll send someone to collect you and bring you

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15:46 Mon, Apr 20

Chapter 312

to the estate.”

She didn’t wait for a response.

:

The call ended with a sharp, decisive motion of her thumb.

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Finished

Miles away, the glacial winds of Lunaris tore through the station like a living thing, sending spirals of snow skittering across the platform. Frost clung to every surface, biting and relentless -yet none of it touched Eldric. Heat pulsed beneath his skin, fierce and consuming, as if something caged within him was clawing to break free.

His daughter had grown defiant.

Unruly.

Daia stood beside him, her expression paling as she lowered her gaze. Orion lingered nearby, hands in his coat pockets, his face indifferent, as though the tension in the air had nothing to do with him.

“Cora is under a lot of pressure right now,” Daia said gently, resting her hand against Eldric’s arm, “She’ll send someone. There’s no need to be upset.”

“Upset?” Eldric scoffed. “She thrives here because of my support. My resources. Don’t pretend she’s done this alone.” His lip curled faintly. “And yet others manage just fine with far less, don’t they? If they can, then my daughter should have done better.”

Daia hesitated. “You mean… Lylah?”

At the name, something unreadable flickered through Orion’s eyes before he spoke. “I heard her mate also works at the Lunaris Research Center.”

“And what is he, really?” Eldric’s gaze sharpened, his wolf bristling at the thought. “Another expendable subordinate. A lackey.” His voice dropped, heavy with command as he turned to Orion. “When you enter that place, you will not associate with him. Do you understand? You carry the Ironcrest name. You will not drag it through the dirt.”

Orion inclined his head, obedient as ever.

“You will prove yourself. Rise above them all. And if necessary…” Eldric’s eyes glinted, something predatory surfacing. “You will make sure Lylah’s mate is removed.”

Snow thickened around them, falling in heavy silence, cloaking the world in white, but it did. nothing to dull the razor edge of his command.

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