The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 343

Chapter 343

3rd Person’s POV

Since the day Corvin Vale delivered his final, ice-edged ultimatum at the conference, Cora had vanished from Lunar Grace as if swallowed by shadow. Thane Blackridge had not seen her once. Not a trace, not even her scent lingering in the corridors.

He knew she also understood. The weight of Vale’s words had not been something even Cora could defy without consequence.

Which left the MDT project-their publication agenda and everything tied to it—resting squarely in Thane’s hands… and hers.

Lylah.

Days bled into one another, cold mornings thawing into quiet afternoons as they worked side by side. Notes were exchanged, theories refined, and conclusions sharpened into something worthy of Verdanth recognition. Their collaboration was seamless.

Thane had always been a man carved from restraint, his focus unshakable. Yet lately, it wasn’t the work anchoring his attention.

It was her.

The subtle grace in her movements. The quiet authority in her voice. The way her presence seemed to hum just beneath his skin, stirring something instinctive-something his wolf refused to ignore.

And beneath it all, a nagging familiarity lingered. Something about her… reminded him of

someone.

“Thane.”

Her voice cut cleanly through his thoughts, sharp enough to pull him back.

Lylah was watching him now, her gaze keen, almost surgical. “Do you have anything to add before we close for today?”

He stilled, then shook his head slightly. “Nothing further.”

A soft hum of approval left her lips. Satisfied, she began gathering her things, ready to leave.

“Wait, Lady Lylah.”

She paused.

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Thane stepped closer, the faint pull of her scent tightening something in his chest. “There’s something I want to ask. But it’s not about the publications or the MDT.”

Her brow lifted slightly. “Go on.”

“I know you’re Alpha Eldric of Ironcrest’s adopted daughter,” he said, his gaze sharpening as it lingered on her. “But I have to wonder… since you left his pack, have you ever tried to find your real parents?”

Before she could respond, he continued, his voice quieter, edged with something probing. “Did you ever verify his story? That he found you in Ironcrest’s alleys?” His gaze sharpened. “Cora was raised by a warrior pair from Whitepine before she was brought to Ironcrest and claimed by her real parents. Which means…” He paused, the weight of his words settling between them. “It’s not impossible that you have a family out there too. One you’ve never found.”

Lylah’s expression did not shift-but something flickered deep in her eyes.

Before the moment could stretch further, the shrill ring of Thane’s phone shattered the

tension.

His jaw tightened.

“I need to take this.”

He stepped away, voice low as he answered. Whatever was said on the other end drained the last trace of calm from his features.

When he returned, his expression had hardened.

“I’m sorry, Lady Lylah. I have to leave.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode out.

The drive was fast. Instinct coiled tightly within him, his wolf restless beneath his skin, guiding him toward a place he knew all too well.

He and his friends’ headquarters.

Or what used to be.

The moment Thane stepped out of the car, the scent hit him.

Blood. Rage. Dominance.

The air itself felt torn, thick with the aftermath of violence.

Inside, the scene was worse.

Jude and Logan stood on opposite sides of the room like opposing alphas, both battered, both breathing hard. Claw marks raked across Jude’s arm, still fresh, while Logan bore bruises and cuts that spoke of a fight neither had intended to lose. Their wolves hovered just beneath the surface-eyes burning gold, muscles taut, control hanging by a thread.

“What the hell happened here?” Thane’s voice cut through the room, sharp with authority as he stepped between them. “Clawing each other apart like rabid strays? I could’ve sworn you used to call each other brothers.”

“I wouldn’t have started anything,” Logan spat, his voice rough, feral. “If that bastard hadn’t crossed the line.”

Thane’s gaze shifted slowly to Jude, something wary flickering beneath his calm. “What did he do?”

Logan let out a humorless laugh, low and bitter. “He thinks Lunaris Research Center is some kind of playground.” His lip curled. “Wanted me to sneak Eldric’s useless son inside. All for Cora.”

The name lingered like a spark in dry grass.

Logan’s expression darkened further, frustration bleeding into something colder. “We’ve done enough for her. More than enough. And what do we get?” His jaw tightened. “Nothing. To her and that damn family of hers, we’re not brothers, not allies. Just tools. Cash cows they can bleed dry whenever it suits them.”

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