The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Cora’s POV

“Sister?” Thane frowned slightly, studying me. “You have a sister?”

Finished

I nodded. “Yes. She’s currently a junior assistant in the Traditional Healing Class. She was adopted into my family, and she hates me so much… but despite everything. I still consider her my sister.”

“Cora, you must be joking!” Alexander’s voice thundered across the room. “I will never allow that shameless leech anywhere near you again!”

The shift in Thane was instant.

The warmth in his gaze vanished, replaced by something darker–colder.

I felt his wolf stir beneath his skin, the subtle pressure of a protective dominance rolling through the room like an invisible tide. The air itself seemed to tighten.

“What exactly did this girl do to Cora?” Thane asked, his voice low.

“Thane, you wouldn’t believe half of it.” Alex scoffed. “After living in Cora’s place in Ironcrest Pack for more than a decade, she tried to steal Alpha Rowan, then sabotaged Cora’s chances to be accepted here- she’s poison. Pure evil. And she won’t stop until she’s destroyed everything Cora has.”

Rage flashed in Thane’s eyes.

Inside, I nearly smiled.

“Alex, please,” I murmured, pressing a hand to my chest as if wounded. “Don’t speak of Lylah like that. She only acts out because she’s desperate for affection. I don’t hate her…I pity her.”

“There’s no need to pity someone like that,” Thane said gently, his voice wrapping around me like silk and steel.

I nodded, grateful and demure. “I understand if you both don’t want her here. I only ask for the application form. I can give it to her myself.”

Alex shook his head. “Cora, you’re too naive. Even if she tried, with that dull brain of hers, she’d never qualify for this project.”

“Let her try,” I said with a soft smile–one that always melted him. “At least then, she can’t say I didn’t help.”

Reluctantly, Alex handed me the form.

I thanked him sweetly and glided from the laboratory, fully aware of Thane’s gaze following me. I could feel the pull of his attention, the faint tug of interest and instinct–exactly where I wanted him.

But instead of heading toward the Traditional Healing building, I turned sharply and went outside.

At the trash bin, I tore the application into strips. I crumpled the remains and shoved them deep inside.

1:23 pm

Chapter 69

Finished

“Who’s naive now?” I whispered, a cruel smile curving my lips. “You’re both fools if you think I’d ever give Lylah a real chance.” I laughed softly. “All I wanted was to make Thane see me as treasure.” My eyes gleamed. “And it worked.”

Just as I turned away, a foul scent hit me–sweat, old leather, and poverty clinging to the air.

“Young lady.”

I spun around.

An old man stood there, hunched, with a wild beard and tangled dreadlocks. His clothes were worn thin, his presence an eyesore in a place meant for elites.

“Who are you?!” I shrieked, stepping back. “Beggars aren’t allowed here! Leave now, or I’ll call the guards to drag you out!”

He straightened as much as his age allowed. “I am not a beggar. I came to visit my granddaughter–in–law. Her name is Lylah.”

My heart skipped.

He studied me “This place is very large. Perhaps you know where I can find her?”

For a heartbeat, I could only stare.

Then cruel delight flooded through me, so sharp and intoxicating that I laughed out loud, my eyes stinging with tears. Did this old, poor, pathetic beggar truly just say that Lylah was his granddaughter–in-

law?

Of course.

She ran from Rowan only to fall into the hands of some miserable, lowborn family. I could already picture it–her bound to a low–ranked wolf as insignificant and ugly as the life she’d chosen.

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