The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 15

Lylah’s POV

Firest

The bruises on my face faded after three days, the pain dulling into numbness. Three days of Rowan ne leaving my side. He watched every meal, every moment of sleep, every breath, as if constant supervision could undo the damage carved into me.

After dinner, he set his glass aside and looked at me with that careful calm he wore when he was decidin things for me.

“Have you packed for the trip?” he asked. “If not, I’ll do it.”

“I can manage. You’ve been here for three days straight. You didn’t even go to work.”

Once, I would have begged him to stay–just an hour more or a single night. Now his nearness pressed against my skin like a weight.

“I’m taking time off. Don’t worry about it,” he said. “It’s time to sleep. You need rest before we leave for th Silvaris Mountains. The journey will be long.”

I nodded and retreated to my room.

“If you need anything, just call me. Don’t even get out of bed,” he said.

Normally, I’d wake to find Rowan asleep on the couch beside my bed, ever watchful. Tonight I’d told him wanted to be alone

I nodded again and closed the door.

Fifteen minutes later, as I lay staring at the ceiling, a soft chime cut through the silence–the backup door had been opened,

I was on my feet instantly.

Years of spending his nights buried in his office seemed to have made Rowan forget that this house was threaded with systems attuned to my room. Carelessness did not suit an Alpha, but tonight, it served me.

I pulled on a dark coat, drew the hood low, and slipped into the night.

The night was hushed. Rowan’s figure moved swiftly down the street, his stride purposeful. I followed, silent, my wolf prowling just beneath my skin, senses sharpening with every step.

He entered an old apartment building tucked too close to his estate, half–forgotten and poorly warded.

A slow smirk curved my lips.

So this was how it was.

He wasn’t dealing with pack affairs tonight. The Moonrow family was staying at the packhouse. There was no council meeting, no emergency.

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1:12 pm MM M

Chapter 15

Finisi

Then who?

Unless my suspicions were about to be proven true.

I inhaled slowly, letting the night speak to me.

Her scent hit instantly.

“Cora…” Rowan’s voice drifted from within. He hadn’t even sealed the door behind him.

I moved closer, silent as a shadow, and peered inside.

The room was dim, washed in the dull glow of a single amber lamp.

“You’re late again,” Cora murmured, her words thick with drink and sleep.

“I waited until Lylah fell asleep.”

“How about me?” she whispered. “I can’t sleep. I’m still so restless. I can’t even face my parents.”

“Ssh.” His voice softened, intimate. “I’ll help you relax.”

Under the muted light, their shadows tangled.

“Cora, did you drink again?”

“Father invited your council three days ago,” she said weakly. “To apologize for what happened at the ceremony. I still feel so guilty. I ruined your name in front of your pack.” Her voice cracked. “I’m ashamed.”

“Don’t say that,” Rowan said sharply. “And don’t you ever hurt yourself again. I love you.”

“I love you too, Rowan.”

I’d seen them kiss before. I’d known deep down that it never stopped there.

But seeing it with my own eyes shattered something colder, harder.

Their mouths met. Breath tangled. Cora’s soft moan cut through the air as Rowan’s control frayed, his growl low and hungry.

Fabric slid to the floor. The room filled with heat, with lust, with the raw truth of what he gave her so freely.

I turned away before Selestine could tear free of my skin.

The pain I expected never came. Instead, my wolf paced the edges of my soul, furious, restrained only by my will. I memorized the number on the door as I left.

The surveillance camera office was guarded by an old woman with hollow eyes and trembling hands.

“I need a recording,” I said calmly, “Room 444.”

2/3

1:12 pm MM M

Chapter 15

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