The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 377

Chapter 377

3rd Person’s POV

Jude had spent years building his name within Lunaris. Designers and merchants most answered his calls. without hesitation, which was why, at first, he’d been certain Cora’s problem would disappear within the hour.

Yet by late afternoon, not a single boutique had accepted his offer.

The silence itself felt wrong.

His wolf paced uneasily beneath his skin as he stood inside his office overlooking the silver-lit skyline of Lunaris, fingers drumming once against the mahogany desk.

Then his assistant finally entered.

“Sir,” the man said carefully, tension obvious in his scent, “none of the boutiques agreed to serve Lady Coraline’s request.”

Jude frowned immediately.

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“Why?” he asked flatly. “These people practically compete for high-ranking clients. Since when does anyone in Lunaris refuse Cora?”

His assistant hesitated before speaking again.

“Their statements were consistent.” He slid a tablet across the desk. “According to them, Lady Coraline has a history of mistreating staff whenever her expectations aren’t met. They claimed she frequently used Alpha Rowan’s name and status to pressure stores into special treatment.”

Jude stared at him.

For a second, the words barely registered.

Cora?

The same soft-spoken girl who smiled so sweetly at him?

“No.” Jude’s jaw tightened. “That doesn’t sound like her.”

“Sir…” His assistant lowered his gaze slightly. “There’s more.”

He tapped the screen.

A video recording began to play.

The boutique.

The confrontation.

Jude watched in silence as Cora struggled against Moonclaw’s wolves with claws bared and fury twisting her face into something almost unrecognizable.

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He saw her strike first. Heard the venom in her voice. Watched Zyrelle retaliate with terrifying restraint only after Cora attacked.

And suddenly.

The version of events Cora had fed him shattered apart like thin glass beneath a hammer.

“That…” Jude blinked slowly. “That was really her? Cora?” Disbelief rippled through him.

No.

Not disbelief.

Betrayal.

His wolf recoiled sharply inside him, disturbed by the deception.

By the time night fell over Lunaris, the city’s moonsilver lights glowing across rain-dark streets, Jude met Cora again inside one of his private lounges.

She arrived smiling.

Almost relieved.

As though she already knew he would fix everything for her.

But the moment her eyes landed on him, her smile faltered slightly. Jude sat motionless on the leather sofa, broad shoulders rigid beneath his dark shirt.

“Jude?” Cora approached carefully. “How did it go? Did you find me another boutique?”

“Yes,” he answered evenly. “Mine.”

Relief flashed across her face instantly.

“You can choose whatever you want there.”

Her shoulders loosened.

But Jude’s expression never softened. “But I want to ask something,” he said quietly, “why didn’t you tell me the truth about what happened this morning?”

The air changed.

He watched her freeze almost imperceptibly.

“I…” Cora faltered. “What do you mean?”

“You weren’t attacked by innocent clerks, Cora.” His gaze held hers steadily now. “You fought first.”

Silence.

For the first time since he’d known her, Jude could hear panic beneath her heartbeat.

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11:43

Tue, May 12

Chapter 37

Cora quickly lowered her lashes, tears gathering beautifully in her eyes. “That was because of Lylah,” she whispered. “She appeared with her mate and humiliated me on purpose.” Her voice trembled softly. “Everything would’ve gone smoothly if she hadn’t been there.”

Jude didn’t answer immediately.

His wolf listened carefully now.

Not to her words.

To the spaces between them.

“If everything had gone smoothly,” he asked at last, “then why did nearly every luxury boutique in Lunaris blacklist you?”

The question landed like a blade.

Cora’s composure cracked for half a second before she forced it back together.

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