Chapter 81
The Betrayed Princess Rising
Chapter 81
Finished
3rd Person’s POV
“Barth Hollow came to Ironcrest once. You and Daia locked me in my room, I didn’t even understand why,” Lylah’s voice was trembling–not with fear, but with memory. “Later I learned from the servants what kind of man he really was, what kind of man you’re trying to shove me into right now p>
She paused, her throat tightening.
“Wasn’t it enough when I left Ironcrest? When I left Blackfang? Why are you still trying to mess with my life here too? ”
She couldn’t stop the tears gathering in her eyes, but her voice remained raw with fury.
Eldric stared at her, stunned. He had never expected the girl he had raised for decades–the quiet, obedient child in his mind–to stand before him now and throw the truth in his face.
Inviting Barth Hollow hadn’t been easy. Eldric had paid the old drunkard a fortune in gold to secure his cooperation. He wouldn’t let Lylah destroy it.
“Lylah my daughter, why are you slandering your own father?” Eldric’s lips twitched, voice tight with feigned hurt. “Locked you up? Lylah, Sir Hollow is nothing but a good, honored man p>
But the damage was already done.
Barth had heard everything.
“Well, Alpha Eldric,” Barth slurred, swaying slightly as he moved, his face flushed with drink and anger. “You win most of your gambling rounds because of me, and this is how you speak about me behind my back? Even to your daughter p>
His lip curled.
“Forget this shit! I won’t help you or anyone in your family p>
He hurled his glass onto the floor, where it shattered, Then stormed out.
The door slammed shut behind him.
And with it, Eldric’s plans shattered too.
Standing there, his face red, veins bulging, his rage boiling over with nowhere to go.
“You ruined everything!” he roared, lunging forward, his hand reaching for Lylah’s hair.
But she dodged.
He froze.
This was the same girl who had once endured every slap, every blow, every fist tangled in her hair without resistance. The same girl who had collapsed at his feet that night, sobbing and begging, as he ordered the
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Chapter 81
guards to drag her out of his mansion.
But now,
She caught his wrist midair.
His eyes widened.
“You don’t have the right to discipline me anymore,” Lylah said.
Her voice was calm, quiet as passing wind.
Finished
“You lost that the moment you threw me away with a few golds paid to Rowan Blackfang just to keep me out of your perfect little family p>
Eldric’s breath hitched.
“Rowan poured all that money into Corlis Prime,” she went on. “And you took your share from it. You’re still taking it p>
She released his wrist and shoved his hand away.
“So no, Eldric. I don’t owe you anything. We’re even p>
Her eyes hardened.
“You can keep Barth Hollow for your real daughter. From now on, stay out of my life p>
Then she turned and walked away.
Lylah didn’t look back.
Eldric stood frozen, staring at the space where she had been.
Even Cora, who had shrunk behind the couch while everything fell apart, could only stare, her lips parted in shock.
Then something in him snapped.
“She dares act high and mighty in front of me?” Eldric roared, his control finally snapping.
He kicked the table, sending it screeching across the floor. “She is just a stupid girl. A shameless whore who let some random male claim her in a mating bond so easily p>
Even Cora trembled at the venom in his voice.
“She’ll crawl to that low, poor, uncivilized male she let claim her right now, crying,” Eldric’s eyes flashed with malice. “But I doubt he even cares about her, let alone waste his strength supporting a useless female like her. She’ll always be alone p>
He let out a cold, mocking laugh.
“Lylah is a fool thinking she can survive without my or Rowan’s influence. A bigger fool if she thinks she
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Chapter 81
Finished
can stand against us. And you Cora,” His voice hard as iron. “I don’t want to hear you speak about helping her again. You will not see her. You will not contact her p>
“Yes, Father p>
Outside, the night wind wrapped around Lylah like ice.
The moment she crossed the threshold, whatever strength had held her together shattered.
Tears spilled freely down her face, her body trembling as everything she had held back finally broke loose.
She didn’t see him until he was already in front of her. A tall figure stepped into her path, blocking her
escape.
Lylah didn’t have the strength to tell him to move.
“Please…” she whispered brokenly.
“Lylah p>
The voice was deep.
Familiar.
Safe.
Her head lifted slowly, her tear–blurred eyes meeting a pair of dark eyes she would recognize anywhere. Deep as midnight, steady as the earth beneath her feet.
“Ezra?” she breathed. “Why… are you here p>
“To take you home.” That was all he said.
He pulled her against his chest. His arms wrapped around her like a shield, like he could hold every broken piece of her together just by refusing to let go.
“I’m sorry,” Lylah choked.
Her mind dragged her back to that night–to the cold floors of Ironcrest, to Cora standing in her place, to the guards dragging her away while she begged and cried.
She had promised herself she wouldn’t cry for them again.
She had failed.
Ezra embraced her in silence. His hand gently stroked her hair, then her back, grounding her, letting her break apart safely in his arms as she buried her face in his chest and wept.
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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.