The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 460

Chapter 460

3rd Person’s POV

By the time Rowan stepped out of his office building, Lunaris was still cloaked in darkness. Dawn lingered somewhere beyond the horizon, reluctant to arrive. The cold air should have cleared his head, yet the dull ache behind his eyes remained.

Cora’s voice still echoed faintly in his mind.

She had called moments earlier, asking when he planned to return home.

Home.

The word felt strangely foreign these days.

He already knew he wouldn’t be going back tonight. The arrangement between them was simple now- distance, but protection.

He would ensure her safety, provide everything she and the pup needed, and stay far enough away that neither of them had to endure the growing strain between them.

Rowan’s steps slowed.

A scent drifted through the night.

His gaze lifted.

There, beneath one of the streetlamps beyond the tower gates, a small figure lay curled against the pavement.

For a moment, he didn’t move.

One blink.

Two.

Three.

His chest tightened violently.

“Little Moon…” The nickname slipped from his lips before he realized he had spoken.

The sight punched straight through years of carefully buried memories.

Suddenly he was standing outside Corlis Prime again.

Back then, after endless meetings and late nights spent building his empire, there had always been one person waiting for him.

Lylah.

Curled up on a nearby bench, fast asleep with a bottle of milk and a piece of bread clutched in her hands.

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What had Rowan done back then?

Wake her up.

Tell her to go home.

Sometimes he had walked past without sparing her more than a glance.

The memory twisted like a knife.

The vision shattered as the female beneath the streetlamp stirred.

Violet eyes slowly opened. “Alpha Rowan…?”

Luén rubbed sleep from her eyes and pushed herself upright.

Reality returned.

Rowan exhaled a short laugh. “You again.”

The amusement in his voice surprised even himself.

“I don’t know if it’s even possible for us to meet under normal circumstances anymore.”

A faint flush crossed her cheeks. “Sorry. I know this is inappropriate.”

She pushed herself to her feet.

Immediately, her body swayed.

Rowan moved before conscious thought could catch up. One moment she was falling.

Next, she was in his arms.

The ease with which he caught her only emphasized how cold she was.

His brows furrowed.

“Alpha, what are you doing?”

“Ssh.” The deep rumble in his chest carried a faint growl beneath it. “Saving you.”

His eyes swept over her.

The scent of frost clung to her skin. Her hands were freezing. Her lips trembled ever so slightly from the

cold.

His wolf bristled.

She had spent the entire night out here.

Waiting.

15:15 Wed,

Chapter 460

“If my guards had found you sleeping on the pavement, they would have dragged you away without a second thought.” Carefully, Rowan adjusted his hold before carrying her inside.

Only once they were inside did he set her gently on her feet.

Yet even then, he didn’t let her go.

“You weren’t sleeping here by accident. You waited all night.” His gaze sharpened. “Were you so afraid to see me that you chose to wait outside instead?”

A flicker crossed her expression.

Rowan sighed.

“Your skin is freezing. Your lips are trembling.” His thumb brushed lightly across her wrist before he shook his head. “Was whatever brought you here truly worth spending the entire night out in the cold?”

The corners of Luén’s mouth tightened.

“Yes. I have something important to tell you, Alpha Rowan.”

The words immediately captured his attention.

Rowan stilled.

Then he stepped forward.

One hand planted itself against the wall beside her.

The Alpha caged her between his body and the stone behind her without even realizing he had done it.

His wolf watched through his eyes.

How many times had this woman crossed his path now?

Too many.

Far too many.

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