The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145

Lylah’s POV

I had never imagined something like this would happen.

The moment I stepped into the hall earlier, Professor Grimwood had seized my arm and dragged me straight into the center of the room. After that, everything had blurred together–voices rising around me, warm congratulations, applause echoing against the stone walls.

But it wasn’t the students offering those smiles.

It was the professors.

Every healer in the department had gathered, their sharp gazes softened with approval as they praised me. The attention felt overwhelming, almost unreal.

By the time the crowd finally thinned, my arms were full of bouquets, small wrapped gifts, and handwritten notes of commendation.

“Professor,” I said as I walked toward Professor Grimwood, struggling to balance the armful of offerings. “Why didn’t you tell me something like this would happen? At least I could have prepared myself.”

He snorted, waving a dismissive hand.

“As if I knew,” he said. “Those old wolves are usually far too proud to bother honoring a student’s achievement.”

I blinked. “So… this is unusual?”

“Unusual?” He huffed. “This is the first time it’s happened in years. The last time the department made such a fuss over a student,” he said slowly, “was for the Alpha of Moonclaw, when he was still studying under me.”

My breath caught.

Professor Grimwood chuckled to himself.

“I thought I’d never see the day again,” he continued. “But here we are. And this time… It’s his Luna standing in the center of it all.”

His eyes returned to me, glinting with quiet amusement. “Funny how fate works, isn’t it?”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

To be mentioned in the same breath as Ezra-

to follow even a small step behind him-

It felt strangely beautiful.

“I haven’t said it before,” Professor Grimwood added gruffly, “but I’m proud of you.”

The words hit me harder than all the applause combined.

Professor Grimwood was not a man who handed out praise easily.

And hearing it now made a ridiculous, unstoppable smile spread across my face.

“Cora?”

“If it weren’t for my parents raising you, and my mate’s influence back then,” she added icily, “you wouldn’t even have been able to step foot in this academy, Lylah.” Her voice dropped lower.

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