The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

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Rowan’s POV

The table fell into a brittle stillness, but inside me, anger burned–hot and alive–rekindled by the memory of Lylah’s defiance at the boutique yesterday.

Cora laughed softly. “Don’t worry, Orion. Lylah has always liked to plan. I’m sure she’s already spun some little scheme of her own. Whatever path she’s chosen, let’s pray she’s content enough so she doesn’t feel compelled to bare her fangs for attention.”

“Plans?” Orion scoffed, lifting a brow. “She’s never stood on her own a day in her life. As a pup, she was coddled by our Father and Mother, fed from the pack’s hand. After that, she clung to Alpha Rowan’s shadow like a leech. There’s no way she’s capable of making plans.”

“If she continues roaming like a rogue, she’ll disgrace the Pack’s name,” Daia said coolly. “Better to give her a purse of gold and exile her from Verdanth entirely.”

I said nothing.

But my wolf, Nightborne, stirred violently, his growl coiling through my veins, bristling at every insult thrown in Lylah’s name.

“All right, enough,” Cora said gently, taking control of the table as if it belonged to her. “There’s something more important I want to discuss.”

“Go on, darling,” Eldric replied.

“About Lylah and me being switched at birth,” Cora continued, her voice lowering. “Only Ironcrest and a handful of outsiders know the truth. If Lylah has truly fled and carries this tale into Lunaris, it could turn against us both. I don’t want to become a target of mockery again.”

Eldric leaned back, fingers steepled, considering.

“I’ll handle it. I’ll see that such gutter gossip never takes root.” After a brief pause, he continued, voice hardening. “An official declaration will be made that Lylah was only ever an adopted pup. No one will dare harass you again.”

Something snapped.

I rose abruptly, my chair scraping harshly against the stone floor.

“Excuse me,” I said, my voice clipped and cold. “I need to return to Blackfang immediately. There’s an urgent meeting with the Corlis Prime team.”

“Oh,” Eldric said mildly. “That’s unfortunate. Thank you for coming, Alpha Rowan.”

“I’ll stay here a bit longer with Mother and Father,” Cora added. “I’ll see you later.”

I nodded once and left before the room could suffocate me further.

Outside, the night air did little to cool the rage vibrating beneath my skin. Before returning to Blackfang. I

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Chapter 33

made a detour.

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I stopped an Omega passing through the grounds and pressed far more gold into his palm than necessary.

“Flowers,” I ordered. “And something sweet.”

I leaned against my car as I waited, Nightborne pacing restlessly inside me.

When the Omega returned, arms full, I took the items without comment.

I was reaching for the car door when a familiar, irritating voice stopped me.

“You bought gifts for Lylah, Alpha?” Orion asked incredulously. “After she disgraced herself at the boutique, snapping like a feral thing?”

The growl tore from my chest before I could stop it.

“Watch your tongue.”

He took a step back, startled, but pushed on. “Why are you defending her now? She’s nothing but a parasite who stole Cora’s-”

“She is your sister,” I cut in sharply, my eyes flaring with gold light. “Before Cora ever set foot here, you clung to her. You begged her to knit your winter coats when the cold moons came. Speak of her that way again and you will regret it.”

I didn’t wait for his reply. I got into the car and left.

By the time I reached Blackfang, midnight had already claimed the sky. I headed straight for my estate and then for Lylah’s wing.

The door to her room was still sealed.

“Lylah,” I called, keeping my voice measured. “I brought you something.”

Gifts–no matter how small–always softened her. Always earned me at least a smile.

“Open the door.”

Nothing.

No scent. No heartbeat brushing against my awareness.

Unease crawled up my spine.

“Lylah!” I snapped, patience fraying. I set the flowers on the nightstand and drew on Nightborne’s strength, the power surging through my muscles.

I slammed my shoulder into the door.

Wood cracked. The lock gave way.

“Lylah!” I burst inside. “You think this is funny? Playing silent games with me? You’ve grown damned

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Chapter 33

petty-”

The words died in my throat.

The room was empty. Hollow.

As if her presence had been torn from it–gone not minutes or hours ago, but long before tonight.

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