The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 316

Chapter 316

3rd Person’s POV

Finished

Rowan said nothing, observing the scene as it unfolded like a carefully staged play. A faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips. Eldric spoke with unwavering authority as though he understood his daughters to their very marrow.

Rowan almost scoffed.

He had seen sides of them Eldric never had-especially Lylah.

At the sound of her name spoken with such cold disdain, something sharp flared inside him. His wolf bristled in silent warning. Because if anyone had the right to speak her name with that kind of familiarity— harsh or otherwise-it was him.

Six years ago, Eldric had cast her out without hesitation, discarding her like wounded prey left for the forest to devour.

And Rowan had been the one to find her.

He had taken her in, brought her into his territory, into his pack. He had shielded her, claimed responsibility where her own blood had not. Gold had changed hands that day-a transaction meant to erase her existence from Eldric’s life-but Rowan had paid that debt many times over.

A dark, possessive certainty settled deep in his bones.

Lylah was his.

And not even her father had the right to forget it.

“Rowan,” Eldric’s voice cut through his thoughts, “Cora suggested I reinvest in your project. I agreed. That venture you built with Logan… or whichever one it is now.” His tone was edged with impatience. “When do you intend to finalize it? When will it start yielding profit? I’ve waited long enough.”

Rowan said nothing, letting him continue.

“If this is just wasted time, I’d rather put my resources somewhere worthwhile.” Eldric’s tone sharpened. “I have plans for my son. I’ll place Orion in the Lunaris Research Center among the finest minds in Verdanth. After that…” His lips curved with ambition. “I may step down sooner than expected. Then the Ironcrest Alpha crown will pass to him.”

Cora went still.

Her fingers tightened around the delicate stem of her goblet, knuckles paling as something bitter and scorching twisted in her chest.

“But there’s a complication,” Eldric continued, oblivious to the storm brewing beside him. “Orion is still young. Other Alphas may see that as weakness.” His voice dropped, calculating. “So I intend to secure his position early. I’ll build alliances. If necessary, I’ll buy loyalty. A few well-placed incentives among powerful packs-their Commanders, their councils-they’ll side with Ironcrest when the time comes.”

His words faded into a dull hum in Cora’s cars.

13:19 Tue, Apr 21 MSD

Chapter 316

All she felt was suffocating anger.

Then Rowan spoke.

“Why spend so much,” he said evenly, “when your daughter could secure that alliance for free?”

Silence snapped into place.

Rowan turned his gaze to Cora, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “Isn’t that right, Cora?”

Finished

Her head jerked toward him, eyes blazing, a sheen of furious, unshed tears catching the light. “What?”

“That night at the New Moon celebration,” Rowan continued smoothly, already shifting his attention back to Eldric. “We went to Whitepine Pack, to Ivar the Fearless’ estate. Surely you’re aware your daughter has a… close relationship with Commander Ivar of Whitepine?”

“Rowan-” she tried, a sharp warning in her voice.

“What?” Eldric cut in, his gaze snapping to her, sharp and predatory, “Is this true?”.

His wolf pressed forward beneath the surface, suspicion coiling into something far more possessive.

“And you said nothing. Not to me. Not to your own family.” His voice hardened, a dangerous edge creeping in. “Everything you have, every alliance, every advantage, belongs to Ironcrest. Or have you forgotten your place?”

Cora’s chest rose sharply as fury fully ignited.

Her gaze

burned into Rowan, betrayal and disbelief twisting together. She had guarded that connection like territory-a secret she had allowed only him to scent, to step within.

Not even her own blood knew it.

Now he had dragged it into the open, exposing it under the cold light like a fresh wound.

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