Chapter 196
Chapter 197
3rd Person’s POV
Finished
Moments earlier, before Lylah ever sought Zyrelle out, Ezra found his cousin just outside her chamber, the corridor dimly lit, shadows stretching long across the stone.
The moment he stepped into view, the air shifted.
Cold.
Predatory.
Zyrelle stilled. Of all the sides she had seen of Ezra, this was the one that made danger coil sharpest beneath her skin.
“Cousin?” she said, arching a brow, masking instinct with practiced ease. “What is it now p>
He didn’t answer.
The silence pressed harder than any words. His aura bled into the space between them-thick, dominant, laced with warning. It curled around her wolf like a snare, tightening just enough to remind her of one undeniable truth.
He was her Alpha.
And tonight, he was not in the mood for games.
Zyrelle exhaled slowly, lifting both hands in surrender. “Alright, fine,” she muttered. “I admit it. I regret saying that…” Her voice softened, though it carried a thread of reluctant honesty. “I shouldn’t have doubted that Lylah is your Luna p>
Her lips twitched, attempting lightness.
“You can stop staring at me like you’re about to skin me alive, Ezra. You already nearly put a bullet in my head earlier-I think that got your point across p>
No reaction.
Ezra’s gaze remained fixed.
The weight of it sent a quiet ripple through Zyrelle’s wolf, something instinctive bristling beneath her skin. Never-never-had she seen him like this over anyone.
Over a woman.
“You will apologize to her,” Ezra said at last, his voice low and absolute. “I don’t take anything lightly when it comes to Lylah, Zyrelle. Even if your intent was… playful p>
Zyrelle almost scoffed-but she didn’t.
“Alright, alright,” she relented, waving a hand. “I will p>
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Chapter 197
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92 Finishe
Only then did the pressure ease-slightly. Ezra gave a short nod, as if that alone settled the matter.
The arrogance in it was so familiar.
Annoyingly so.
It hadn’t changed since they were pups.
Zyrelle clicked her tongue and jabbed a finger into his arm, not hard-but enough to make a point. “But you don’t get to throw all the blame on me p>
Ezra’s brow lifted faintly.
“Dear cousin,” she continued, her tone sharpening, “you’re well aware of who you are. In Moonclaw. In our family.” Her gaze held his, unflinching now. “You’re the Alpha. Your mating isn’t some trivial affair, it’s something we’ve all been waiting for p>
A flicker of something-hurt, buried under irritation-passed through her expression.
“And then, out of nowhere, you go and do it in secret?” she pressed. “No announcement. No word. Not even my own parents told me.” Her arms crossed tightly. “If I hadn’t come here, would I still be in the dark p>
Ezra’s jaw tightened. “I didn’t want to trouble p>
“Shut it,” Zyrelle cut him off. “You didn’t want to trouble me? Or you just didn’t care p>
She exhaled, shaking it off before it could root too deeply.
“Whatever, Ezra,” she muttered. Then, tilting her head, her eyes gleamed with renewed curiosity. “But tell me this instead-how did you even meet Lylah? And more importantly…” A slow, teasing smirk crept onto her lips. “How did you convince her to become your Luna with that personality of yours p>
Ezra huffed under his breath.
Zyrelle rolled her eyes. “And let’s not forget you just almost shot me. Honestly, Ezra, Lylah now probably thinks you’re some unhinged, trigger-happy menace instead of a respectable Alpha p>
Silence stretched between them.
“She wouldn’t think I did it on purpose!’ Ezra said at last, his tone calm-almost too calm.
Zyrelle blinked. “How? It’s not like you couldn’t see where you were aiming p>
Ezra didn’t answer.
And that-more than anything-made her eyes narrow.
Zyrelle studied him closely, something sharper than curiosity settling in. She knew him too well. Knew the way his mind worked, the way he calculated ten steps ahead without ever showing his hand.
This-his silence-was not hesitation. But a concealment.
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Chapter 197
Finished
A plan.
Something he hadn’t said… something he wouldn’t say.
Slowly, realization began to take shape.
“Ezra…” Zyrelle murmured, suspicion threading through her voice.
But he had already turned away.
And in that moment, Ezra knew Zyrelle would ask. She would go to Lylah, piece together what didn’t align, chase the gaps until she found the truth-or something close enough to it.
Which meant…
He needed an explanation.
And fast.
Before the illusion he had built began to crack.
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The Betrayed Princess Rising
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.