The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 383

Chapter 383

3rd Person’s POV

Laughter drifted down from the upper floor, soft and bright against the quiet stillness of the Manor.

Damon slowed near the foot of the staircase the moment he heard it.

Her laugh.

TI

Tiara’s voice had already become something dangerously familiar to him in only a matter of days-a haunting melody his wolf recognized far too quickly. Smooth as silk. Sweet enough to lure a predator closer before sinking claws beneath its ribs.

And that was exactly the problem.

His gaze lifted toward the second floor.

Toward his room.

No, their room now.

A low curse left him.

“Two years,” Damon muttered under his breath. “Two damn years under the same roof with that woman.” His hand dragged through his dark hair roughly. “What if she decides to kill me in my sleep one night?”

Honestly, it didn’t even sound impossible.

When Tiara arrived this morning, one of the guest chambers had immediately been prepared for her. Damon had almost felt relieved-until Juniper calmly destroyed that hope.

“You’ll be mates soon,” his mother had said with effortless authority. “What kind of mated pair sleeps separately?”

Damon had nearly choked on air.

Now, standing beneath the glow of the manor lights, he shut his eyes briefly and imagined the coming weeks ahead.

Tiara Ashcroft in his family home.

At his table.

In his bed.

His wolf stirred darkly beneath his skin at the thought, restless with a pleasure that unsettled him.

Then suddenly-

A crushing pressure rolled across the corridor behind him.

Damon stiffened instantly.

13

Chapter 383

Every instinct inside him snapped to attention before he even turned around. The Alpha aura hit like a violent storm swallowing the air whole.

“Alpha?” Surprise flashed across Damon’s face when he saw Ezra standing there.

The Moonclaw Alpha rarely returned to the territory now that he lived in Lunaris. Yet he had come back this morning-for Tiara.

Or more specifically…

For Lylah’s peace of mind.

Damon exhaled sharply, sensing an opportunity to finally vent his frustration to someone who might actually understand.

“Did you hear that?” he said, jerking his chin toward the upper floor where the faint sound of laughter still echoed. “She’s been here less than a day and already everyone’s obsessed with her.” His mouth twisted. “Give it a week and Tiara Ashcroft will have this entire household wrapped around her finger.”

His wolf growled low with suspicion.

“She has that kind of power. I’m starting to think she has witch blood somewhere in her bloodline.”

The words spilled faster after that.

“I still don’t even know what kind of deal she made with my parents.” Damon raked both hands through his hair now, visibly unraveling. “They just informed me she’d be living here like it was already decided. I don’t love her. I swear. We barely know each other.” Though even saying the words aloud sounded less convincing than he wanted.

“I don’t even know what I feel yet,” he admitted roughly. “About her. About the baby. About any of this.”

Unfortunately for Damon, he had made one fatal mistake.

He thought Ezra was there to sympathize with him.

The Alpha’s expression darkened instantly.

A dangerous growl vibrated through the corridor-deep enough that Damon’s wolf flattened instinctively beneath the sheer dominance pouring off him.

“I don’t give a fuck whether you love her or not.” Ezra stepped forward. “But you put your pup in her womb.” His eyes sharpened. “That makes her your responsibility now.”

Damon swallowed.

Then Ezra’s gaze flicked once toward the upper floor where Lylah remained with Tiara.

Possessiveness surged violently through his scent.

“Now go entertain Tiara Ashcroft,” Ezra snarled, each word edged with jealousy sharp enough to cut flesh, “so she’ll return my Luna to me.”

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