Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 82

SAGE

We didn't have to travel far. Thanks to Elara's growing magic abilities, she created a portal that led directly to the secret passage. As soon as we stepped through, the portal behind us shunered and disappeared, leaving us in the dim, cold tunnel that stretched ahead "Let's go," I whispered, nodding to Scott and Elara. But we didn't even take a single step before Elara suddenly stumbled, nearly hitting the ground. "Elara!" Scott and I called her name in unison, our voices hushed but laced with panic. We rushed to her side.

"What happened?" I asked, my heart pounding as I kneeled down next to her, concern flooding my eyes.

Elara took a shaky breath, pressing a hand to her forehead. "I ju got dizzy. I'm sorry I'm still new to all this magic stuff," she admitted, looking embarrassed.

"Are you sure you can do this?" I asked, my voice gentle but worried. "Maybe you should go back to the hideout and wait for us there. Scott and I can handle the rest."

Elara looked up, her eyes narrowing as if I'd insulted her. "And how do you plan to come back?" she challenged, her tone sharp. "Are you planning to fight your way through thousands of royal guards with a... dead weight when you successfully rescued His Majesty?" Jbit my lip, realizing she had a point. I'd been so focused on her well-being that I hadn't thought through our escape plan. Scort remained silent beside us, but his frown showed he was considering the same thing. throwing the word around," muttered, shaking my head. "No Not today, not any day."

Elara smiled weakly at my attempt to lighten the mood. Sure, sure, she replied, but I could see the fatigue in her eyes. "I think the best solution is that I stay here and wait for both of you. I'll be a lookout, and that way I won't be a hindrance to your rescue mission. She rifling through her bag before pulling out a small device that looked like an earpiece. "This will be our communication. Signal's terrible inside the palace, so I tweaked it with a little magic. We'll be able to hear each other as long as we're in the same general

paused,

I stared at her in surprise, impressed by her resourcefulness. "You're a genius, Elara," I said, a proud smile tugging at my lips.

Elara gave me a smug grin, clearly pleased with herself. "I know, I know,' she teased, her eyes twinkling with that familiar confidence.

Scott, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "Alright, let's move. Élara, stay hidden and stay alert. We'll keep in touch through these. If something bad happened, save yourself, okay?" He took one of the earpieces from her, securing it in place. She raises her eyebrow at Scott's last words. "As if I will let you two die here alone." "Elara"

"Shut it,

Scott. Go back safe. That's not a request; that's an order, she said firmly.

We both nodded in response.

we

"You two be careful, she said, her voice softer now. "And remember, I'll be right here if you need me."

reassuring smile. "We'll

toward the tunnel. The heavy atmosphere of the underground passage pressed down

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Chapter 82

sure whether we'll be able to get out of this place alive, But I'd like to stay positive. As soon as we reached the end of the tunnel, we halted just before the exit. The passage opened into a small, hidden alcove behind the palace walls, a perfect vantage point. I cautiously peeled through the cracks in the stone, my heart pounding in my chest. The first thing that caught my eye was the rows of flags hanging from the castle towers,

my

over to take a look. His eyes nanowel, recognizing the symbol emblazoned on the flags. It wasn't the royal emblem

only mean one thing," Scott said grimly, his voice heavy with the weight of what this meant. "They've

was no way the royal elders or anyone else could have taken him down without resistance. My heart ached with fear, the thought of what they could "There's only one way to know for sure, Scott said, his voice breaking through my spiraling thoughts. He straightened his shoulders, determination in

determined glance before hurrying in that direction. The palace, now under the control of the Royal Elders, was crawling with guards, making every corner we turned a dangerous gamble. We had some close calls along the way. The guards were scattered all over the palace, their sharp eyes and keen senses making it difficult to

on.

praying not to be discovered, we finally reached our destination the special prison. This wasn't just any prison-it was designed specifically to hold the most dangerous and powerful

4

opposite corners of the cell, his once- proud figure now kneeling on the cold stone floor. His head hung low, his face obscured

B9%8

the cell, their posture tense, their eyes sharp. They were the final barrier standing between us and Titus. And judging by their numbers and the steely look in their eyes, they weren't going to be easy to get rid of. Scott and 1 exchanged a quick, determined glance, tension cracking between us like a live wire. Five werewolves stood→ → our way, their eyes glowing with a mix of suspicion and hostility. As soon as they caught sight of us, their forms ripple d contorted, fur sprouting from their skin as they shifted into their wolf forms. A low growl rumbled through the chamber. but I knew that was their fir mistake. In their wolf forms, they were faster and more dangerous, but they also couldn't

my chest but my hands steady. There was no room for hesitation. We had to strike quickly and efficiently, or we wouldn't stand a chance. The first wolf lunged at Scott, jaws snapping, but Scott dodged to the side with a fluid motion, slicing through the air with his dagger. The blade found its

on us in a flash, their massive forms circling us, but we were ready. Scott met one head-on. ducking low as it charged, and drove his dagger into its chest with brutal precision.

between us and the fallen bodies of its comrades. It snarled, baring its teeth, but Scott didn't give it a chance to attack. He threw his dagger with deadly accuracy, the blade embedding itself in the wolf's throat. It crumpled to the floor, lifeless. Breathing heavily, I wiped the sweat from my brow, my heart still racing from the fight. Scott and I exchanged a quick look of relief, but we weren't out of the woods yet. The werewolves were down, but now we had to face the real challenge getting Titus out of that silver cage. We rushed toward the cell, and my heart clenched at the sight of Titus still shackled inside. His skin was pale, his body weak, but his eyes-though half-closed-still flickered with life. But the silver... it was everywhere. The bars of the cage gleamed with it, and even the chains that bound him were made of the same cursed metal. I could see the way it burned his skin, leaving angry red

he inspected the silver bars. "We can't touch it. Not with

under my breath. "There has to be something-anything we can use to break these bars

off him"

it," he growled, throwing a wrench to the ground in frustration. "Even if we had something strong enough, we'd need more time. The moment we start trying to break these bars, someone's going to hear it." Time

what I was about to do. "My lady, not he exclaimed. He reached out to

searing pain I expected to feel. But to my surprise, the burn didn't come. My skin didn't blister or sizzle under the touch of the cursed silver. I could feel the sharp edges digging into my palms, cutting into the soft flesh, but the silver's poison didn't affect me like it should have. It was a miracle,

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