The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Ezra’s POV

0:01

Finished

“What? You’re declining?” Rowan’s eyes shifted first–human brown bleeding into molten gold as his wolf surged closer to the surface.

Inside me, Ragnar lifted his head, calm and calculating.

“We don’t do charity,” I said evenly.

Rowan took a sharp step forward, his Beta mirroring him on instinct. He pointed at me, anger flaring hot and reckless. “What the hell do you mean? You’re not making decisions based on logic. Just because you don’t like me, you’re refusing cooperation. Afraid my skill and reputation will overshadow yours here, Alpha Ezra?”

Archer shifted beside me, preparing to intervene–but I lifted a hand.

I hadn’t intended to engage. But if Rowan wanted a confrontation, I would give him one.

I rose slowly to my feet. The room seemed to tighten around my presence.

“Overshadow?” I said coolly. “You certainly have an impressive amount of confidence.”

Rowan’s expression twisted.

“Our research center exists for our future, not to bankroll yours. If you’re here to profit without paying the price, you can leave now.” I added.

This time it was Rowan’s Beta who spoke.

“Alpha Ezra,” the Beta said carefully, “forgive me, but it seems you may have misunderstood us.”

“No,” I replied flatly.

“Then perhaps you could clarify?”

I turned my gaze to him. “Corlis Prime presents a platform model, inviting outside developers to build on it. But under your contract, any ecosystem created within Lunaris becomes the sole property of Blackfang.”

My lips twitched. “You collect the innovation and intellectual property of our engineers without compensation. Then if Rowan withdraws, all outcomes remain with his company. That is your definition of cooperation?”

Silence slammed into the room.

Archer’s face darkened. “Wait. That’s… that’s completely true. That benefits Corlis Prime entirely. What does Lunaris gain?”

Rowan said nothing. His eyes burned into ne, fury barely contained.

1/3

1:21 pm

Chapter 57

0431

Finished

His Beta hurried to recover. “That’s a legal oversight. The clause can be amended. It’s a minor issue.”

I tilted my head slightly. “You expect me to entrust the future of our research center to a pack whose legal team overlooks ownership of an entire ecosystem?”

The silence deepened.

“That’s not minor,” Archer said grimly.

“You’re free to consider what this collaboration would truly bring to Lunaris, Archer. And whether our engineers would welcome it,” I replied.

Archer answered immediately. “They won’t, Alpha. They’ll reject this outright.”

Good.

There was nothing left to say.

I drained my wine and turned away.

The door had barely closed behind me when Rowan’s enraged curse echoed through the room–followed by the sharp crash of shattering glass.

Outside, the night air cooled my skin. Damon waited by the car, alert.

“Alpha Ezra.” Archer hurried out after me.

I stopped, but I didn’t turn around.

“I regret missing your mating ceremony,” he said carefully. “If you would allow me the honor, I would like to convey my congratulations to your Luna personally.”

Small talk. A polite excuse.

A classic probe.

Archer wanted to see who had claimed the Alpha bond that so many in Lunaris had failed to earn.

I had known Archer long enough to trust that his curiosity held no malice. Still, Ragnar stirred at the thought, a low, territorial growl echoing through my blood. The idea of another male setting eyes on Lylah tightened something dark and possessive in my chest.

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