The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 14

The Betrayed Princess Rising

Chapter 14

Cora’s POV

Finis!

The moment we returned from Rowan’s mansion, my father wasted no time asserting his authority. His command rolled through the hall, sending Omegas scrambling to prepare a formal dinner. He had invi the same council members who had witnessed my speech earlier that day.

“To cleanse your name of jealousy’s stain,‘ he said.

Now the dining room glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.

Silverware chimed against porcelain. Wine flowed endlessly, its scent mingling with roasted meat, herbs and spice. Across the long table, my father and mother sat in effortless grace as they entertained the gue

Laughter rose and fell like waves.

“Lady Cora.” The voice slithered too close.

Gamma Fenrir–one of Rowan Pack’s high–ranking warriors—already leaned toward me,

“We’ve met before,” he said with a crooked smile. “At Commander Ivar’s house.”

My fingers tightened around my goblet.

Commander Ivar.

A name carved into legend.

He was from Whitepine Pack, the same serene territory where I came from. Yet his name echoed across the Verdanth Continent, spoken with reverence among warriors. A living war god.

“It’s an honor to see you again, Gamma Fenrir,” I replied politely, lowering my gaze just enough to appear deferential while scanning the table. Too many ears.

“No, my lady,” he chuckled. “The honor is mine. Ever since that day, I’ve been curious. Commander Ivar turned everyone away after his retirement, yet you were welcomed into his home.” He squinted at me. “How did that come to be? And how did you know him?”

A ripple of tension slid beneath my skin.

One careless word. One slip. And everything I had protected would unravel

“I was raised in Whitepine Pack,” I said evenly. “Before the Ironcrest family found me.”

“Ah.” Realization dawned on his flushed face, “Of course. The lost daughter of Alpha Eldric and Luna Daia.

You.”

I returned the smile, practiced and empty.

“That explains it,” Fenrir went on, drunk on both wine and confidence, “After such a harsh upbringing, it must be a blessing to finally be reunited with your true blood.”

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4:12 pm M MM

Chapter 14

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Finisher

I said nothing. Just stared into the crimson liquid in my glass.

Whitepine Pack was never harsh. But I would not correct him.

The tale of my suffering–of Omega poverty and neglect–was a convenient lie I made.

The truth was far gentler.

Before the Moonrow family ruined my life, I had been far more cherished.

Jax and Vala–my parents in every way that mattered–were seasoned warriors, respected and formidable They loved me fiercely, guarding me like a rare treasure. I went to school and laughed freely.

Then Jax died when I was ten.

With him, my shield fell.

School was where the cruelty took root. I was beaten, kicked, and spat on daily. But Vala stood fiercely between me and the world, until her death three years later.

After that, I was all alone.

Seven years ago….

A storm tore through the forest as I ran, soaked and shaking, toward a lone hut hidden among ancient trees. Two days after I became an orphan.

“Commander Ivar,” I fell to my knees before him, my body small beneath his towering presence. His aura crackled like thunder, ancient and lethal. “M–my name is Cora. I–I’m the daughter of Jax and Vala. Before she died, my mother told me to find you if I ever needed anything.”

My voice broke as I drew back my sleeves, exposing purple bruises and half–healed wounds

“I need your help!”

His eyes darkened, fury igniting beneath the surface.

“You are my student’s little pup…” he said slowly,

“I am!”

Silence stretched, heavy as fate.

“Tell me,” he said at last, power rippling through the air, “Who who had dared to hurt you.”

From that day on, my classmates no longer dared to raise a hand or a voice.

Commander Ivar gave me his protection–an oath stronger than blood, binding until death.

But I was foolish.

Dissatisfied and blind, I fled to Ironcrest to claim my birthright. Before Vala’s death, she revealed the truth

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1:12 pm 04 0

Chapter 14

-that I had been switched at birth in the Ironcrest forest.

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