The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 367

Chapter 367

Lylah’s POV

M

Finished

Tiara crumpled into me, her body giving way without warning. The moment our skin met, a wave of heat slammed into me.

Fever.

She felt fragile in my arms, her strength unraveling far too quickly. I steadied myself, then gathered her more securely, one arm firm around her waist as I guided her toward the sofa.

When we reached it, I lowered her gently, easing her down against the cushions, though the heat radiating from her skin still burned against my own.

“I lied,” Tiara whispered, her voice rough, splintered. “I lied to all of them. Aunt… Uncle… even

Nana…”

“Shh,” I murmured, smoothing my hand over her hair, letting my wolf’s calm seep gently into the touch. “We can talk about that later. Right now, you need-”

“No!”

The word tore out of her, sharp and desperate. Her eyes flew open, locking onto mine-green, but no longer the bright, steady green I knew. Now they shimmered with fever and something far more jagged. Guilt. Raw. Consuming.

“I messed up, Lylah” she choked. “I’m a terrible daughter, aren’t I? Useless. I couldn’t even help them when everything fell apart. Those rogues…” her breath hitched, her fingers clutching weakly at my sleeve, “…they keep coming back. Again and again. I’ll pay that fucking debt. I swear I will. I just need a little more time… a little more money…”

Her words slurred together, tangled in heat and exhaustion. But the meaning struck clean.

Rogues.

My wolf stirred, a low, dangerous growl rippling beneath my skin.

Rogues don’t wander into pack territory without consequence, not unless something is broken. Not unless someone has failed. A flicker of anger sparked.

But then the truth settled in.

Rowan had been gone too long.

Blackfang had been left in the hands of a council unfit to hold it, leaders in name only, hollow

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Chapter 367

where strength should have stood. And now the consequences were bleeding into the lives of those who could least afford it.

“Lylah…” Her voice weakened again, barely more than a breath. “I’m a disappointing daughter…”

“No.” I cupped her face, forcing her to look at me. “Listen. You’re not.”

“Yes, I am!” Her fingers tightened around mine with surprising strength. “Aunt told me to leave right before the rogues came back. She gave me money, Lylah. Money. Like I wouldn’t notice.” A broken laugh slipped from her lips. “She thought I’d just go… enjoy myself at Starfall.”

Pain twisted through her expression.

“So I pretended. I left.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I have some savings. I just need to earn the rest…”

My chest tightened, something fierce and protective rising within me. My mind raced, turning over every possibility, every path—

And then one name surfaced, steady and undeniable.

“Ezra,” I said softly. “He can help you.”

“No!”

The reaction was immediate-violent. Tiara pushed herself up, panic flaring through her scent, sharp as shattered glass.

ag Alpha Ezra into this,” she said, shaking her head despite the obvious strain it

“I won’t drag you into it either. I won’t have Moonclaw looking at me like I’m some ome parasite to their Luna.”

My wolf bristled at the word.

“Tiara, you’ve helped me more times than I can count. Have you forgotten?” I said, my voice firm despite the tightness in my chest. “Back then, you gave me money for bread and milk even when you barely had enough for yourself.”

My fingers tightened around hers.

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