Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 77

SAGE

As Elara and I made our way back to my chambers, I couldn't help but notice the group of people wearing black robes. I've seen those before when I was being falsely charged with treason. They were the elders. However, there's something different about them. It seems

like they were different from the one I've seen before.

I turned to Elara to ask her. She's been around the palace longer Dan I did. "Aren't those members of the Circle of Elders?" I

asked her.

Elara didn't get what I was asking until she stretched out her neck on the terrace to see those people entering the gate. I frowned when I noticed the fear in lier eyes upon seeing them.

"What's wrong?" I asked her curiously.

"Those aren't members of the Circles of Elders, my lady," she replied. She turned pale as she switched her eyes between me and those people who just arrived.

"They're not? But I know those clothes. I've seen those when I had to face the charges against me. What do you mean those aren't Circle of Elders?"

"They were elders indeed, my lady. But..." She hesitated, her face paling as fear crept into her expression. "Those were Royal Elders. Her voice quivered as she swallowed hard, her eyes wide with apprehension. "Royal Elders?" I repeated, confusion lacing my voice.

Elara's grip tightened slightly around my arm as she gently tugged me toward the terrace's edge. She guided me to the railing, positioning me so I could get a clear view of the group below, "Look closely," she whispered, pointing toward the figures gathered in the courtyard. "See those gold emblems sewn onto their robes? That's the mark of the Royal Elders. They are the highest of the council, responsible for ensuring the purity of the throne. Their duty is to safeguard the legitimacy of the one seated on it, ensuring the king is beyond reproach, free from corruption."

with an air of authority that sent a chill through me, but still, I couldn't understand her alarm. "Perhaps they're just here for a routine visit." I suggested with a dismissive shrug, trying to make light of it. "After all, they have their duties to attend to, don't

grip tightening again, and this time, there was an edge of panic in her voice. "No, my lady, you don't understand! Their presence here is not casual. It's a "bad" sign. The Royal Elders only appear when something is terribly wrong, when there's a threat to the stability of the throne." Her words came out in a hurried whisper, as if saying them aloud would somehow make them more real. "Them being here means

my gaze now focused intently on the elders below, suddenly seeing them in a more ominous light. "Someone is challenging

she hesitated, glancing nervously around before continuing. "it means the situation is far more dangerous

their presence now a looming shadow over the castle.

possibly have the courage to challenge His Majesty I asked,

lady. But this... this isn't good," Elara replied, her voice trembling slightly as she fidgeted with the

Tue, Oct 22

Chapter 77

her apron.

the gravity of the situation began to sele in. "Let's go, Elara I need to see His Majesty, I have

waiting for a response, I turned and started toward Titus office, my strides quick and determined. Elara trailed behind me, her nervous steps a sharp contrast to the urgency driving me forward. As I rounded a

mingled with frustration. "Good, you're here. I need to speak with His Majesty immediately. Can you tell me

stony; his brows furrowed in concern. "I'm afraid His Majesty is currently preoccupied, my lady," he said, his voice calm but

me. "Safety?" I repeated, frowning. "Why would I need

guards flanking him as if weighing how much he should tell me. "I'll explain later, my

the seriousness in his eyes, made me hesitate. Something wasn't right. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough

"My lady, I understand your frustration, but we don't have time. The Royal Elders are here for a reason, and it's not good. If there's a challenge to

Trust me.

my spine as his words sank in. The Royal Elders, a threat to the throne... Could Titus really be in danger? My heart pounded, tom between wanting to demand answers and the gnawing

can't leave him here. He needs all the strength, every resource, and every ally he can gather to defend