The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 248

Chapter 248

3rd Person’s POV

Finished

By the time they reached the penthouse, Lylah was already drifting at the edge of sleep, her strength spent. Ezra didn’t wake her. He simply gathered her into his arms, instinct guiding the motion as naturally is breath, and carried her into his room-their room now.

He laid her down with a care that belied the power coiled beneath his skin. Her shoes were slipped off, a billow tucked beneath her head, the blanket drawn up to her chest. For a moment, he lingered. Watching. Assured only when her breathing deepened into the slow, even rhythm of true sleep.

Only then did he leave.

The study was dim, shadows stretching long across the walls. Ezra closed the door behind him, his expression hardening as the Alpha replaced the man who had just carried a sleeping girl to bed.

Damon had answers tonight.

Everything Ezra had ordered him to uncover-the truth behind how Cora had woven herself so eamlessly into Thane Blackridge’s circle.

Ezra had always known Thane to be more open than most wolves. Easier. Less guarded. But not careless. Never careless enough to extend protection to a near stranger without reason.

t had to be more than charm.

t had to be deception.

So,” Ezra said, his voice edged with something dangerous beneath the calm. “Thane and his circle never :new? Not once did they suspect it was Lylah who carried Jax and Vala’s blood, not Cora?”

Damon turned the laptop toward him, its cold glow cutting through the dimness. “No, Alpha. According to verything I’ve found, they only knew one truth-that Cora was not Jax’s true-blood. But the rest…” He >aused. “They were deliberately kept blind.”

Ezra’s eyes darkened.

Cora told them the real daughter died at birth,” Damon continued. “And she wasn’t alone in making that ie convincing. Someone ensured the story held.”

Ezra’s jaw tightened, the beast within him stirring at the familiar name forming in his mind.

‘Eldric,” he muttered, the word laced with quiet fury. “Of course.”

The lie had spread through Lunaris like wildfire-telling anyone who would listen that Lylah was nothing more than a pitiful orphan Eldric had taken in out of charity. Not the child switched at birth.

No wonder no one questioned it.

No wonder no one looked closer.

1/2

Chapter 248

Finished

“The Ironcrest family is more decayed than a carcass left to fester under a blood moon,” Damon said, his voice cold as steel. “Luna Lylah stood alone while they circled her like vultures, tearing her apart piece by piece. Should we reveal Luna Lylah’s true identity?”

Silence fell.

Beneath Ezra’s skin, his wolf prowled restlessly, anger clawing at his restraint.

The thought of what Lylah had endured-of how thoroughly she had been stripped of her place, her truth -made something feral rise within him.

‘They are never her family,’ he reminded himself coldly.

“Later,” Ezra said. “The perfect timing isn’t here yet.”

Damon shifted slightly before continuing. “There’s more, Alpha. The disguised investment project we orchestrate meant to draw Eldric in. He hasn’t taken the bait.”

Ezra exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just enough to suggest this was expected. “Not yet. I knew Eldric wouldn’t pull his resources away from Rowan so easily.”

A faint, humorless curve touched his lips.

“And that greedy little viper Cora will make sure every coin her father has is poured into her mate.” He added.

“Rowan Blackfang has already been stripped of his title as Coravia’s leader, but if Eldric continues backing him, he still has power. There’s still a threat,” Damon said, his voice edged with concern. “What if Rowan makes another move, Alpha?”

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