Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 70 SAGE

My mind was in haze as we walked back to my chamber after that awkward breakfast with Her Majesty. She hasn't crossed my mind since I got here. Now that Her Majesty mentioned her, I can't help but think about what happened to her. "Elara, do you have any idea where they were keeping Annika?" I asked her. She looked surprised upon my sudden ínquiry about my sister. "What could be the reason for your sudden inquiry about your sister, my lady?"

"I'm just curious, that's all," I replied -

i

"I don't think this is a good idea, my lady. It will only bring up painful memories for you," she said.

"You may be right, but there's something that's been bothering me since then. I stopped right there. Though Elara proved herself to be a trusted friend, I don't think I'm ready to tell her about the truth behind Annika and my father. She blew a loud sigh of defeat before she spoke again. "I heard from one of the maids that Annika was being held in the dungeon, awaiting her sentence."

Still, the pull to conf I to confront Annika-to finally get answers-was undeniable.

I forced a a smile, a small one, to avoid giving anything away. I stayed silent, not offering any confirmation or denial. But her words had already set something in motion within me. Right then and there. I made a decision. I was going to visit Annika. Elara watched me watched me closely, her eyes scanning my face as if e as if searching for some clue about what I was thinking. I kept my expression neutral, not wanting her to see the conflict brewing beneath the surface. I knew what I had to do, but I wasn't entirely sure I was ready for it. "I'll be fine, Elara," I said softly, hoping to ease the concern I saw in her eyes. "I just need to handle a few things Elara tilted d her head, clearly not

convinced but wise enough to know when to step back. "Then let me accompany you, my lady" she said, her voice gentle but laced with worry.

I smiled, "I wished to to be alone, Elara. Elara. I hope you don't mind," I I insisted.

I can see the hesitation etched on her face, but she keeps mum about it.

"As you wish, my lady. Don't hesitate to call me if you need reading to where Annika was held captive. With every step, my heartbea quickened, my mind racing as I thought about what might happen to her after what she did.

I nodded. I nod offering a I slipped out of the room, the cold stone floor beneath my feet

before turning toward

the palace, each turn bringing me closer to the dungeon. The dungeon was always a place of shadows-dark, damp, and oppressive. As I descended the

wish to visit Annika," I said, my voice steady,

then gave a curt nod. "As you

He

Tue, Oct 22

Chapter 70

narrow hallway lined with cells, the faint clinking of chains

of dampness and decay clung to the air, making the atmosphere even more

floor, her back against the wall, her once-fine clothes now disheveled and tom. Her eyes flickered up to meet mine, and for a

voice cold, filled with all the hurt and

her was small and filthy, with rough stone walls stained by years of neglect. Her hands, chained by heavy iron shackles, rested weakly in her lap, her wrists bruised and raw, showing the toll of her long imprisonment. Her hair, which used to shine, was now dull and tangled, sticking to

in them now-maybe guilt, or regret. But underneath all that exhaustion I could still see a spark of defiance, refusing to be snuffed out completely. "So, you're back," she sai she said, her bitter, the words thick the word with i irony. "It took him long to find you" I stared at her, my heart battling between anger and pity. The cell stank of mildew and rot, and the small slit of a window high above her head barely let in any light. This place was a grave, designed to break even the strongest of spirits.

emotions swirling inside me. If it was up to me, I'll never step foot into this horrible place ever again." She scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. "And look how that turned out. You're here, walking free, while I'm rotting in

but steady, the accusation clear. "You brought these all upon yourself.

laugh, a sound that echoed in the narrow chamber, and for a moment, she looked as though she might break. But then she spoke again, her tone laced with something I hadn't expected-bitterness, yes, but also pain. "Do you really think I was all to blame? I'm like this

let it show. I had spent too many years carrying this weight, protecting the memory of my father from the venomous words of others. I wouldn't let Annika's words crack the foundation I had built around him. bringing into this," I snapped, voice colder than I intended, but I didn't care. "You

had prepared for. But it didn't matter.

loved my mother, I continued, the words spilling out faster now, sharpened by the raw hurt that burned in my chest. "He adored her. He would never have looked at another woman, much less a child." My voice trembled slightly at the end, but I forced it to remain steady. "What you're suggesting. it's vile. Disgusting" Annika's bitter smile only deepened, but this time there was something sad behind it, something almost resigned. "You don't want to believe it, I get that. I didn't want

her cell. I couldn't be near her. I couldn't let her words

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her poison the one thing I had left of my father-his memory. "You're lying." I spat, my fists clenching at my sides. "You're just what to justify what you did by dragging him through the mud "Believe what you want," she said sofily, her voice carrying a weariness that unsettled me. "But ask yourself-why would I