The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 318

Chapter 318

Lylah’s POV

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I was sad that Tiara had to leave so soon. The feeling lingered heavily in my chest, like something unfinished clawing at the edges of my ribs. Still, this was the best decision for now. Once her nana recovered, we could bring her here as well-let her spend a holiday in Lunaris.

Her packing, however, was a chaotic mess.

“I didn’t even know half of these things existed,” I muttered, staring at the mountain of purchases scattered across the room.

Two suitcases, full. And a backpack stuffed to its limits.

Tiara only laughed softly from the bathroom, where she was stuffing toiletries into a pouch.

“Sorry I won’t be here tomorrow to celebrate with you,” she called.

I frowned, leaning against the edge of the bed. “Celebrate what?”

She peeked out, brows knitting as if I’d said something absurd. “Your paper, obviously. We already made plans to get dessert with Iris, remember?”

“Hmph.” I folded my arms, though the gesture felt hollow. “I haven’t received any official notice from the judge yet. Professor Grimwood said my work was appropriate, but the other students’ works are just as brilliant.” The insecurity slipped out before I could stop it, quiet but sharp.

With Tiara, I didn’t have to pretend.

From the moment we met, something in me had recognized her as safe. Not just as a friend, but as someone my wolf didn’t feel the need to guard against.

She crossed the room and dropped beside me with a soft huff. “That’s not true, and you know it.”

I glanced at her, but she only smiled, steady and sure.

“My friend is going to be one of the greatest healers of our generation. Whether you win or not doesn’t change that, Lylah.” Her voice softened. “You’ve already won-l in my heart, Iris’s… and Alpha Ezra’s. We’re all proud of you. Always.”

Something warm unfurled inside my chest, melting the tight knot I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying.

Before I could stop myself, I pulled her into a tight embrace.

11:16 Thu, Apr 23

Chapter 318

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She laughed, but hugged me back just as fiercely.

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Fifteen minutes later, everything was packed.

I dropped onto the bed, exhaustion settling into my bones. But just as I let myself relax, my wolf stirred.

A scent.

Wrong and out of place. It didn’t belong to anything in the room, not the hotel’s artificial diffuser, not Tiara.

I knew her scent. Bold florals, laced with fresh citrus-bright, alive, unmistakably hers. But this was different. Musk and pine, raw and untamed like the heart of a forest after rain. And beneath it, a bitter citrus edge that stung my senses.

Male.

My instincts sharpened instantly, something primal rising beneath skin..

A stranger had been here.

And my wolf did not like it.

my

I sat up slowly, eyes scanning the room as my wolf pushed forward, alert and uneasy “Tiara, do you smell that?”

She froze. “Smell what?” Her voice came too quickly.

“There’s someone else’s scent here.” I stood, moving instinctively, drawn toward the source. “It’s faint, but it hasn’t faded completely. Like someone was here.”

Her reaction was immediate.

“Lylah!” She rushed forward, panic threading through her voice.

“Really?” I crouched, eyes narrowing toward the space beneath the bed. “Then let me check—”

She grabbed my arm.

“There’s nothing,” she said, words tumbling over each other. “It’s just… there’s a blanket under there. Mine. It’s dirty. Stained from my moon cycle. I didn’t have time to clean it.” She didn’t meet my eyes.

Thu, Apr 23

Chapter 318

Tiara never rambled.

Never avoided eye contact.

Something was off.

My wolf paced beneath my skin, restless, unconvinced.

But I exhaled slowly and straightened.

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