The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123

3rd Person’s POV

By the time Lylah returned to the penthouse, night had already settled over Lunaris.

The place was unusually quiet. Even Bambi was nowhere in sight, and for a moment, she assumed Ezra hadn’t returned home yet.

Lylah headed to her room, washed away the day, and changed into something more comfortable. Only when she stepped back into the living room did she notice him.

Ezra was sitting on the couch.

His eyes were closed.

Sleeping.

A book rested loosely in his hand, his posture awkward, like he had meant to read but had accidentally drifted off. She approached slowly.

Up close, the dim light softened the sharp lines of his handsome face, but it also revealed the faint exhaustion shadowing it–likely from the meetings he’d attended all day.

A quiet pang of sympathy stirred in her chest.

Carefully, she reached forward, intending to slip the Alpha’s jacket off his shoulders and adjust his position so he could rest more comfortably.

But the moment her fingers brushed the fabric-

His hand shot out and clasped her wrist.

His eyes snapped open.

“Ezra-”

She barely managed his name before his arm slid around her waist and pulled her down, settling her onto his lap in one smooth motion.

“I thought you were asleep,” Lylah said calmly, though her heart had already begun to race,

“I was,” he replied quietly. “But after my training in Moonclaw, deep sleep became a luxury I rarely get. Warriors are accustomed to staying alert. It’s a habit that never truly leaves.”

His gaze softened as his fingers lifted her chin gently.

“You’re home.”

Lylah nodded.

“You said this afternoon there was something you wanted to talk to me about.”

She nodded again.

A sharp pang of guilt tugged at her chest. The thought that he might have spent the entire day waiting- wondering what she meant–made her uneasy.

Her fingers rose, brushing gently along the line of his jaw.

“It can wait,” she murmured. “I’ll make dinner first-”

“I can’t wait any longer, Lylah.”

His voice was low, rough, the restraint in it stretched thin.

She swallowed, nerves tightening in her chest. What she intended to confess tonight suddenly felt embarrassingly fragile–something that might sound foolish once spoken aloud.

“Ezra,” Lylah shifted slightly, hoping to hide her face. “Put me down.”

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