The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 292

Chapter 292

3rd Person’s POV

“What?” Lylah turned sharply toward Damon just as the call with Tiara ended.

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Finished

The words she’d heard hadn’t been imagined-Ezra’s Beta had spoken loudly enough to draw the attention of those nearby. “You’re talking about Tiara?”

“Who else?” Damon’s voice carried a rough edge now, something instinctive beneath the surface. “She’s old enough to think for herself. She chose to be out alone tonight…” His jaw tightened. “It isn’t safe. But I know she won’t listen. She’s stubborn as hell.”

“Damon,” Lylah said slowly, studying him, “you don’t even know her. How can you say that with such certainty?”

“I-”

He faltered.

For a fleeting moment, the sharp, sea-blue clarity in his eyes fractured. Something uncertain flickered there -unease, or perhaps something deeper. He broke eye contact first.

“I don’t know,” he muttered. “Excuse me. I should… check on the fireworks.”

Before anyone could stop him, he rose and strode off, too quickly to be casual, too abruptly to be anything but retreat. Like prey slipping from a hunter’s gaze, or a wolf fleeing a truth it wasn’t ready to face.

Lylah frowned after him, suspicion curling quietly in her chest.

Beside her, Zyrelle lifted her glass, amusement dancing like moonlight across her expression as she took a slow sip of wine. “Interesting.”

“What was that about?” Lylah asked, turning to Ezra.

Ezra’s gaze lingered briefly in the direction Damon had gone, his expression unreadable. “No idea,” he said at last. “But if you’re curious, I can have someone look into it.”

“I volunteer,” Zyrelle chimed lightly, a playful glint flashing in her eyes.

Lylah blinked. “You’re going to have your Beta followed? What if he gets angry?”

Ezra’s lips curved faintly, something wolfish in the gesture. “He might,” he admitted. “But satisfying my mate’s curiosity matters more.”

Zyrelle rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched.

There it was again-that change in Ezra.

Once, he had been iron and frost.

Now he spoke with a softness no one had ever heard before, his voice gentled, his edges tempered. They said the right flame could bend even the hardest steel. Watching him now, Zyrelle found herself almost

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Chapter 292

convinced.

It seemed Ezra had finally met his flame.

The celebration carried on, swelling into the night.

40

Finished

From the hilltop estate, Moonclaw Pack stretched beneath them, alive and breathing. Lanterns from the pack house flickered like earthbound stars, and beyond them, the pack members moved in restless currents. The new moon stirred something primal in the air. Even without its light, its pull was undeniable-instincts sharpened, senses heightened, the wolf beneath the skin pacing, alert:

Then the fireworks began.

They burst across the sky in brilliant cascades of gold and crimson, their echoes rolling over the forested lands like distant thunder. Cheers rose from below, wild and unrestrained, carried on the night wind. Lylah’s gaze drifted across the gathering until it settled on a familiar figure.

Vargan.

The old wolf stood among others, there was a rare lightness in him tonight-a quiet joy that softened the lines of age. Draped over his shoulders was the wool shawl Lylah had given him.

“Ezra,” she murmured, a smile blooming, “Grandpa’s wearing my gift.

“Of course he is. Didn’t I tell you? He’d treasure anything you gave him

Lylah’s smile lingered… then slowly faded into thought.

“I just remembered something,” she said. “There’s someone else I wanted to give a gift to. An elder.”

Ezra’s expression darkened, something far more primal slipping beneath the surface. “Who? Eldric?” The name left his lips like something foul, laced with open contempt. “I don’t like the idea of you going all the way to Ironcrest for him-let alone offering him anything of yours.”

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