The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 355

Chapter 355

Cora’s POV

Filth like him-how dare he show his face here?

Finished

My wolf stirred beneath my skin, a low, offended growl curling through my chest. How had he even learned about tonight?

“Cora,” Erik said smoothly, as though we were still bound by something sacred. “You and Alpha Rowan are getting engaged. Of course, I came to offer my congratulations.” His gaze dragged over me, lingering too long, too familiarly. “We lived under the same roof once. And now look at you… a Luna wrapped in wealth and power.” His lips tilted. “Don’t you think it’s only fair to share a little with your old family?”

A brittle smile pulled at my mouth.

When he and his wretched parents crawled here from Whitepine, I had already given them money-more than enough to erase their existence from my life. And yet, like parasites, they returned. Always hungry. Always grasping.

“Erik,” I said softly, though steel threaded every syllable, “I am not the true daughter of your aunt Vala. That makes us nothing. Not family. Not even acquaintances worth remembering.”

His expression faltered.

“The days we shared that miserable hut?” My voice dropped, colder now, edged with something feral. “They’re centuries dead to me. You and your parents don’t exist in my world anymore.”

“Cora, why would you—”

“Don’t push your luck.”

The warning slipped free with a quiet snarl, my wolf pressing closer to the surface, baring its teeth through me. “You know what I am now. The Luna of Blackfang.” I stepped closer, letting my aura breathe. “If you irritate me, I can make you and your entire bloodline disappear without a trace.”

He froze.

Good.

“And one more thing,” I added, my voice lowering into something far more dangerous. “Never come to me again just to drag up that past. That life was hell. I buried it for a reason and I have no intention of digging it back up.”

I turned on my heel and walked away, refusing to grant him another glance.

Some wolves truly had no shame-leeches clinging to whatever power they could smell.

“Cora.”

My steps halted instantly.

10:30 am

Chapter 355

ppp.

I looked up, and Rowan stood before me.

“Rowan?” My voice softened, the sharp edges melting away as quickly as they had risen.

Finished

“I heard you and your father talking about Commander Ivar earlier,” he said, his tone measured, but something tight coiled beneath it. His eyes searched mine. “Tell me the truth, did you leave him out of our engagement because… he doesn’t approve of me?”

“What?” I forced confusion into my expression, even as my pulse quickened.

“I’ve heard things, Cora.” Rowan continued, his jaw tightening slightly. “They say he’s not easily impressed. That only a handful of Alphas have ever earned his respect. And I know I’m not one of them.”

His gaze flickered, just for a second-but I caught it-the crack beneath the Alpha.

“Maybe because I wasn’t born into a legacy. I didn’t inherit power. Blackfang fell hard once. Everything I have now, I had to rip out of the jaws of failure-”

“Rowan,” I cut in gently. Cupping his face between my hands.

I shook my head. “No.”

The lie came smoothly, too smoothly.

“Commander Ivar isn’t a man who judges by wealth or lineage,” I said, keeping my voice soft, convincing. “And you-” I let my thumb brush against his cheek, anchoring him to me. “You are no less than any powerful Alpha standing in Verdanth today. Don’t diminish yourself like that.”

His scent shifted, uncertainty still lingering, though it weakened.

“He couldn’t attend because he’s busy,” I continued. “But I heard he’ll be visiting Lunaris soon, for a business event held by the engineers. You’ll have the chance to meet him then.”

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