Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 96

SAGE

I marched forward, each step heavy, with Titus keeping his distance just behind me as we made our way back to the cabin. He hadn't said a word since the heated exchange outside, and I was grateful for the silence. Every step felt like an attempt to shake off the tension lingering between us, but it clung to me, following me as persistently as he did. Finally, the familiar sight of the cabin lights came into view, casting a soft glow in the darkness.

Relief washed over me upon seeing the dimly lit cabin. It meant the others were already asleep, which would help avoid any awkward questions. My hair was still damp, clinging to my shoulders, and Titus was just as drenched. Anyone seeing us like this would immediately jump to the wrong conclusions, not that it was entirely wrong since something really did happen

between us.

As we reached the doorstep, I stopped abruptly, forcing myself to turn and face him. I hadn't realized he was so close until I looked up and found him right there, his gaze intense, his jaw clenched as if he were barely holding himself together. I cleared my throat, summoning what was left of my composure.

"We're both clear on this, right?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "We're not going to mention anything that happened tonight."

He didn't answer immediately. His eyes held mine with a dark, unreadable intensity, his silence only deepening the tension between us. I waited for some kind of confirmation, but he simply stood there, jaw clenched as if wrestling with words he wouldn't speak. I wanted to insist, to demand a response, but a faint sound from inside the cabin pulled my attention.

Lglanced back at the door, my heart racing at the thought that someone might be waiting on the other side. Taking a breath, I reached for the handle and pushed it open gently, trying not to make a sound. I felt like a kid sneaking back home after a night out, hoping to slip in unnoticed.

The room was dimly lit, soft shadows cast by the lights from the kitchen. I tiptoed through the living room, my steps quiet as I tried to avoid creaking floorboards. Just when I thought I'd made it, Elara's voice broke the silence, sharp and unmistakable.

"What are you doing?" she asked, flipping on the living room light, illuminating the room.

I froze, blinking against the sudden brightness. There she was, standing in the center of the room with her arms crossed over her chest, eyebrows arched in suspicion as she took in my damp, disheveled state. Scott was standing right beside her. He was flushed, and his lips were swollen, as was Elara.

I managed a tight smile, though I was certain my face betrayed my nerves. "Oh, hey, Elara," I said, trying to keep my voice casual, though I knew my appearance was far from innocent.

Her gaze flickered past me, and I knew she'd noticed Titus standing by the door, his soaked clothes clinging to him. She looked back at me, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if piecing together what she assumed had happened. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but I had a sinking feeling that no explanation would be convincing enough.

"Where have you two been?" Elara asked, her voice sharp, like she was waiting for us to slip up.

the way

back." I forced a casual shrug, trying to keep my expression steady. "I went for a swim," I said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to be out by the lake so late at night. "Titus and I just ran into each other.

on

her gaze lingering on the damp strands of my hair and the soaked clothes that clung

Anna was looking for you," he informed Titus. "She's waiting in your

too eager. "I'll see her now. Thank

me, his lips tracing every line of my skin. Now, his first priority was to rush to

door, it swung open before he even had the chance to knock. Anna, her face bright and eager, threw herself into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck. Her delighted squeal filled the room as she pressed her lips to his without a care for the rest

her voice brimming with excitement, her arms clinging

her expression darkening slightly as she took in my wet hair and

I turned on my heel, swallowing down the storm of emotions swirling inside me, and made my way toward my room. I didn't need to wait around

my way up to my room. I didn't look back. I don't think I'd be able to handle watching Titus and Anna

shedding them could also strip away the memories of Titus's hands on me, his lips, the ache of his unexpected mark. But just

heart pounding. Relief washed over me when I saw Elara standing there, but I couldn't hide my irritation. "Don't you

I have a good reason for barging in." Her gaze dropped to my shoulder, and I felt a rush of heat rise in

me that knowing smirk, the kind that said she wasn't buying a word of it. "Right. Nothing at all," she drawled. Her gaze lingered pointedly on my shoulder. "Are you going to tell me that isn't what I

instinctively pulling my hand over the fresh mark. It's not..." I muttered,

own ears.

me get this straight. The

wasn't going to escape this. "He did," I admitted, defeated. "But I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything

"Scott?" she repeated, sounding genuinely offended, though her face betrayed a flicker of something else. "Why on earth would I tell him about any of this?" I tilted my head, arching a

you

two?"

shade darker. "There's nothing going on!" she exclaimed, her

C

Chapter 96

gave her an amused, knowing look. "Funny, because you two looked pretty flushed when we

her face turning an even brighter shade of red as she sputtered, clearly caught off guard. She struggled for a second, finally managing, "That was... just from training! He's just... intense,

up,

she only ended up looking more obvious. "Oh, sure. Training. Because you two always look like that after a regular sparring session,

pressed into a thin line, but her blush deepened, her posture faltering for just a moment before she muttered, "You're

just saying...you don't fool me. Maybe you and Scott aren't as

me a look, huffing in frustration. "Okay, fine, believe what you want. But I did come in here to