Chapter 493
Chapter 493
3rd Person’s POV
“My love.” Ezra caught her before she could stumble.
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Finisord
Her body felt unusually warm against his arms, and a faint flush colored her cheeks. Instantly, concern replaced every other thought.
“What happened?” His hand rose to cup her face. “Lylah, don’t scare me p>
She wasn’t unconscious, far from it. A soft smile curved her lips as she looked up at him. Yet something was undeniably wrong. Her eyes were hazy, carrying the dreamy look of someone caught between sleep and intoxication.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Ezra.” Her voice emerged soft and slightly slurred. “You were angry at me. I’m sorry. I should’ve understood p>
“Lylah p>
“Where were you?” The question carried genuine hurt.
For a moment, Ezra couldn’t answer.
Then her fingers drifted upward and caught the front of his shirt.
“What are you doing p>
A sleepy smile appeared. “They said it would help. They said we should do it p>
His brows furrowed.
“Did what p>
She seemed to think very hard about it.
“Sex.” Lylah leaned closer. “I want it too. I wanted to make up with you. To make your anger disappear.” Her brows knit together. “I don’t like it when you’re like that, Ezra. It’s scary. You’re terrifying when you’re upset p>
The innocence in her expression only made it worse.
He caught her hands before they could wander any further, even though her touch sent heat racing through his entire body.
“I’m not angry at you.” His voice came out rougher than intended.
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Carefully, he lifted her into his arms. She immediately relaxed against him.
Ezra carried her to the bed.
“I’m sorry if I frightened you earlier.” He lowered her onto the mattress and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I should’ve explained myself better p>
Before he could say anything else, Lylah suddenly reached for him. The movement was clumsy, slowed by sleep and wine, yet no less effective. Her fingers curled against his shirt as she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.
Ezra froze.
For a heartbeat, his mind went completely blank.
This was the first time she had ever sought him out so boldly.
The sensation sent warmth rushing through him, awakening every feral instinct his wolf possessed. For one dangerous moment, he wanted nothing more than to lose himself in her.
But unlike Lylah, he was completely sober.
Slowly, reluctantly, he pulled back.
Lylah made a small sound of protest before her eyes drifted closed again. “Not angry? Liar. You looked so unhappy. Then you left me. What’s that if not anger and irritation p>
A faint smile touched Ezra’s lips despite everything.
“My love.” His hand rose to brush several loose strands of hair away from her face. “That’s not
true p>
His voice softened.
“If anything, you have far more reason to be angry at me.” The smile faded. Something heavier settled in his eyes. “I’ve hidden too much from you.” His thumb stroked her cheek. “Too many secrets. Too many lies p>
The confession came easier in the darkness.
Perhaps because she was already half asleep.
Perhaps because he knew she wouldn’t remember every word.
“Fear got the better of me p>
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Chapter 493
His gaze lingered on her face.
Finished
“If you ever learn the truth… if you see me as a monster…” Fear flickered across his features.
“If one day you discovered I’m not the mate you know and decided to leave p>
Lylah murmured something incoherent.
Already drifting deeper into sleep.
She never heard the rest.
Never heard the truth trembling beneath his careful composure, or the fear lurking in the shadows of a heart that belonged entirely to her.
Ezra leaned forward until their foreheads touched.
For a long moment, neither moved.
Then he pressed a gentle kiss against her brow and finally rose from the bed.
His attention shifted toward the nearby table.
The open gift box immediately caught his eye. So did the bottle of fragrant wine sitting beside it. His brows slowly furrowed, curiosity led him closer. A folded note rested beside the box, Ezra picked it up and began reading.
This entire situation was so unlike Lylah that Ezra had suspected something was off from the beginning. Now he had proof. The moment he finished reading, a dangerous silence settled over the room.
It seemed his Beta’s mate had wholeheartedly convinced herself that this plan was an excellent idea.
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17:03 Mon, Jun 15
The Betrayed Princess Rising