The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172

3rd Person’s POV

+5 Pearls

The meeting with Clark Grimwood had yielded nothing for Lancel and his mate-nothing but the chilling realization of exactly who their daughter had chosen to challenge.

By the time they returned to their apartment, the air around them felt heavy, thick with defeat. Even their wolves, usually restless beneath their skin, had gone eerily still.

Soren, freshly returned from the treatment center, remained blissfully unaware of the weight pressing down on her parents’ shoulders. Why wouldn’t she be? They had never once failed her before-every desire, every ambition-fulfilled without question.

“Father! Mother!” she called the moment they stepped inside, her eyes bright with anticipation. “When do I officially begin studying under Professor Grimwood?”

Lancel’s chest tightened. His voice, when he spoke, carried a rare note of sorrow.

“Soren…” His hand lifted, brushing gently through her hair, though the gesture lacked its usual strength. “You won’t be studying under that old wolf.”

Her smile shattered. “What? Why?!”

“We’ve tried. But there are things,” Lancel said carefully, “that cannot be forced, no matter our will.”

He straightened, attempting to reclaim some authority. “That does not mean you will fall behind. Lunar Grace is filled with capable mentors. I will compensate one handsomely to guide you. I’ll arrange for you to study under Corvin Vale.”

“No!” Soren’s voice broke into a sharp, disbelieving wail.

This was not the outcome she had prepared for. Not from them.

What had happened to the parents who could bend circumstances to her will? Who could command outcomes as easily as breathing?

For the first time in her life… they had failed her.

But Lancel and his mate could not tell her the truth.

They could not repeat the warning Clark Grimwood had delivered with cold finality-that if the truth of Lylah’s identity came to light, the Alpha of Moonclaw Pack would not hesitate to make them pay.

Even the memory of it made their wolves recoil.

“I’m so disappointed in you!” Soren spat before turning and storming to her room, the door slamming hard enough to rattle the walls.

Silence followed.

Lancel sank onto the couch, the weight of it all finally settling into his bones.

Chapter 172

0:0

+5 Pearls

“Her anger will pass,” he muttered, more to himself than to his mate. “What matters is that we’ve steered her away from the Luna of Alpha Ezra.”

His mate nodded, though unease flickered in her eyes. “I still don’t understand how Soren managed to make an enemy of that girl. It would have been far wiser to make Lylah an ally.”

Lancel exhaled slowly, his gaze distant.

One question refused to leave him-circling, relentless.

“How did she do it?” he murmured. “How did Lylah earn the attention of someone like Alpha Ezra? Make him claim her?”

His jaw tightened.

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