The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 95

After leaving Iris‘ house, I didn’t call Damon. Instead, I chose to walk.

Finished

Lunaris evening wrapped around me–cool, silver–touched air whispering against my skin, carrying the faint pulse of life in the distance. It had been so long since I’d allowed myself something this simple.

By the time I reached the penthouse, Damon was stepping out.

He stopped short when he saw me, his brows drawing together.

“Luna? Why didn’t you call for me? It’s already late.”

I offered a small smile. “I’m fine. I just wanted to walk, I haven’t done that in a while.”

“Alright,” he relented at last. “But please don’t do that again. If anything happened while you were unguarded, Alpha Ezra would hold me accountable.”

There was a pause before he added, “He is inside. You can see him, but just be careful. He’s not in a good mood right now.”

I nodded, though the warning sat uneasily in my chest. It felt strange to hear that. Ezra was rarely ever in a bad mood. Every emotion I’d witnessed from him had been controlled–calm and impenetrable, like the still surface of a deep lake that hid something vast and dangerous beneath.

“Alright,” I said.

I stepped inside.

The living room was empty, Ezra’s presence nowhere in sight. I assumed he was in his room.

Not wanting to disturb him, I quietly retreated to my own.

I took a shower, changed into comfortable clothes, and gathered a few of my books before settling onto the couch beside the balcony’s glass doors. This had become my favorite place to study. Here, my mind could fully focus, undisturbed by anything beyond the pages in my hands.

Minutes slipped by as I turned each page, my concentration sharpening until the rest of the world dissolved into silence.

The balcony door stood slightly open, and a cool draft slipped through, brushing faintly against my skin.

Aside from the whisper of the wind, everything was silent.

I wouldn’t have noticed anything at all-

If not for his scent.

I turned.

1:49 pm

Chapter 95

“Ezra?” My heart skipped. “Since when were you there?”

Finished

For a man his size, it was impressive that he hadn’t made any sound at all. But then again, he was an Alpha. Moving like a shadow, silent and undetectable, was a skill he must have mastered long ago.

“Fifteen minutes,” he said.

“Fifteen?” My eyes widened. “Why didn’t you say anything then?”

His gaze softened, “You were peaceful. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

The words did something strange to my chest.

“I’m cramming,” I admitted, lifting the papers helplessly. “There’s too much.”

“Is it about the class?”

I shook my head. “Not exactly. It’s Professor Clark,” I said. “He’s taken me on as his student.” I hesitated, glancing down at the thick stack of material in my hands. “But before I can officially join the MDT project, he wants to test me.”

I stared at the pages, suddenly unsure. “I don’t know if I can memorize all of this…”

Ezra stepped closer.

Looking at him now, Professor Clark’s words echoed in my mind.

I laughed softly.

“He talked about you.”

Ezra stilled.

“He said you were my cheat,” I continued, smiling faintly. “I didn’t realize you two were so close. Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

I meant it lightly. I’d asked out of pure curiosity and quiet amazement–nothing more.

But the moment the words left me, Ezra’s expression tightened.

“Lylah,” he said quietly, “Sorry I never told you before.”

My smile faded. “What is it? Is everything alright?”

“Clark Grimwood and I weren’t merely acquaintances,” Ezra said at last, his voice quieter than I had ever heard it. “We were more than that. I was his student, the one he believed in above all others.”

He paused.

“But I walk away.”

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