Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 68

making the hinges greke

I marched back to my chamber, each step feeling heavier than the Tax My mind was a swirling mess of frustration d confesses and 1 could mill feel the wright of Time words (ling to me. When I reached my door, I pushed it open without heathering to knock the force of it Inside. Elara was bony laying out my dress for the day, her handiamwothing over the delicate fabric as she carefully arranged in on the bed. She jumped in the sound of the door timing against the wall, her eyes wide as she looked up in "My lady" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with concern. "What happened last night? Are you okay?"

ין

I barels registered her question, my mind ton tangled in the eve of the morning to offer a clear response. My fron deepened as I moved toward the window, needling air, needing space to think. But Elara was quick to follow her worried gare tracking my every movement Nothing happened last night. Elara I snappel, the irritation in my tone unmistakable. I hadn't meant to lash out, but the temsson was unbearable. Evenaling fell wrong

Elara, however, wasn't convinced. She studied me closely, her sharp eyes not missing a single detail of my demeanor-the tightness in my shoulders, the agitation in my movements. "Clearly, something did happen," she said, her voice softer but I probing unwillme to let it go.

till

Leould feel her staring at me, waiting for an answer, but I had none to give. How could I explain the overwhelming mess of emotions battling inside me! How could I tell her about the tangled web of desire, defiance, and confusion that Titus had stirred up within me! I turned away from the window, crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive gesture. "He's infuriating." I muttered, more to myself than to Elara, but she caught it.

!

Her brows lifted slightly, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "The king?" she asked cautiously, though I could see her interest piquing

I sighed heavily, not wanting to rehash the details but unable to stop myself from venting. "He thinks everything can just fall. into place because he wills it so. That everything-and everyone will bend to his will I shook my head, the anger bubbling up again as I thought about our exchange

lara's eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent, sensing that I needed to let it all out. Her quiet presence was a comfort, though the storm of emotions swirling inside me was anything but.

"It's maddening"ntinued, my frustration spilling over as 1 began pacing across the room, the movement a weak attempt to burn off the restless energy gnawing at me. "I don't understand why he feels the need to bring me back to this awtul place" My vouce rose with each word, the confusion and anger bubbling just beneath the surface.

I stopped abruptly, turning to face Elara. "I'm already cleared with all the charges against. That's more than enough reason to let me be and let me live my life peacefully outside his territory. I threw my hands up in exasperation, as if the answer was written somewhere in the air, just out of reach.

wants"

Elara's brow furrowed, her expression softening with concern. Maybe he sees something in you," she suggested gently, her tone careful, like she wasn't sure how I'd respond. "Something he needs." I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "What could he possibly see in me? He's a king, Elara. He doesn't need anyone, least of all someone like me. If anything. I'm just a problem he thinks he needs to fix. A piece of his twisted destiny puzzle that won't fit the way he The thought made my stomach churn with frustration. I had never asked to be part of this. And yet here I was, being pulled hack into a world I had longed to leave behind. Chapter 68

he

114

unchecked. He sed me aside in easily.

about us being mates" I scoffed the hittemess in my voice fear Which

waiting for And now,

her eyes full of empathy, In on the edge. "My lady, sometimes. Late

there

there, as if she knew I was teetering to be Maybe" to

Play like his good linle girl Sty voice broke, despite my best efforts to keep it strady. I felt the old wounds reopening, the hurt, and betrayal, raw and vivid as the

!

Elara's

she wanted to comfort me but wasn't sure how "I'm sorry, my lady," she said gemily "I can't imagine how painful that must have been for you" stopped pacing my breath coming faster now as I struggled to keep the anger-and the sadness from overwhelming me "It's not just pamful, Elara" I admitted, finally meeting her gaze. It's infuriating. He rejected me for his fate mate, and now he has the nerve to act like like it didn't happen. Now, he will reappear into my life and claim that I was his mate and not Annika. And that be just fall into a trap which makes him believe that it was her who's his fated mate? Thira's expression tightened, but she remained silent, giving me the space to let

Despite everything, despite knowing I

also a hint of resolve. "You're stronger than you think, my lady," she said softly. "But I also know that strength doesn't mean shutting off what you feel. It means facing it, and deciding what you'll do with it." 1 frowned, , biting back the rising tide of emotion. "What I'll do with it?"

my arm now, grounding me. "Maybe. But he can't force you to stay bound to him. not in your heart. That's your choice. And maybe he's realizing that now, too. Maybe that's why he brought you back-not to control you, but because he knows he can't." Her words settled over me like a blanket, offering comfort even if they didn't erase the hurt. But they gave me something to think about, something to cling

smiled softly. "Exactly, my lady. You hold the most important power of all-your own

commanding pulling

the door

in the omare uniform of the queen's personal attendants. Her

slightly. "Her Majesty has requested your presence for breakfast. She would be

!

frowned, an instinctive knot tightening in my stomach. The last thing I wanted was to sit through a

Chapter 6

T

walk with her white pretending that nothing was amun teh like an unbearable task. My hands enched at my des the demon in

choice here. No polite way to refuse without eos, and the last thing I needed was more attention drawn

only make things wome. If I was going to

my

since I'd arrived at this place. Let me go get changed I'll be there in a few The attendant bowed, her expression unreadable, before turning on her heel and leaving without

In a

abrad, she hurried to the bathroom, her soft steps the only none in the quiet room. a few minutes, I cou I could hear the water running, steam rising from the bath she had prepared. I stood by the window, staring out at the garden below, but my thoughts were far away. That uneasy feeling had been sitting in my stomach ever since the queen's attendant knocked on the door. "My lady, the

way she moved-quick and efficient-made it dear she knew how heavy this morning felt for me. She did everything she could to help me get through it. I stepped

much, my lady," she said softly

mumbled, gripping the side of the tub. "Nothing is ever just