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

of my hair and the soaked clothes that clung to

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

response was quick, almost too eager. "I'll

taste filled my mouth at his words. Just moments ago, he'd had his hands on me, his lips tracing every line of my skin. Now, his first

into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck. Her delighted squeal filled the room as she pressed her lips to his without a

her voice brimming with excitement, her arms clinging to him like he was all she'd

perfect. Her gaze shifted then, and her eyes fell on me, her expression darkening slightly as she took in my wet hair and damp clothes. I could practically see the questions forming in her mind, each one waiting to tumble out. She looked back at Titus, as though waiting for an explanation, for something that

I didn't have the energy to stand there, waiting for her to start prying into why both of us looked like we'd been through a storm together. I turned on my heel, swallowing down the storm

eyes on me as I made my way up to my room. I didn't look back. I don't think I'd be able to handle watching Titus

trembled as I peeled off my damp clothes, as if shedding them could also strip away the memories of Titus's hands on me, his lips, the ache of his unexpected mark. But just as I tugged my shirt over my head,

shouted, heart pounding. Relief washed over me when I saw Elara standing there, but I

heat rise in my cheeks. "So, are you going to tell me what happened between you and Alpha

that knowing smirk, the kind that said she wasn't buying a word of it. "Right. Nothing at all,"

pulling my hand over the fresh mark. It's not..." I muttered, though the lie felt flimsy

own ears.

crossed her arms, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Let me get this straight. The Alpha who just rejected you marked

"He did," I admitted, defeated. "But I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything to anyone about

I hadn't seen from her often. "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 skeptical eyebrow. "Come on, Elara. Are you seriously

you

two?"

going on!" she exclaimed, her voice a touch too high-pitched, too

C

Chapter 96

her an amused, knowing look.

came out, 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

up,

laugh at her transparent attempt to dodge. She was flustered, and though she tried to cover it she only ended up looking more obvious. "Oh, sure. Training. Because you two always look like

blush deepened, her posture faltering for just a moment before she

"But, just saying...you don't fool me. Maybe you and Scott aren't

fine, believe what you want. But I did come in here to