Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 98

SAGE

"What do you mean I'm not coming?" I asked, the disbelief clear in my voice as I took a step closer to Titus. I felt the weight of his decision settle like a stone in my stomach.

"You heard me. I said what I said," he replied, his tone calm but unyielding, his eyes hard as if daring me to challenge him.

I blinked, thrown by his blunt dismissal. Just moments ago, he'd taken my suggestion seriously and had even agreed with me in front of Scott. For a brief moment, I'd actually felt like an asset, like he'd finally seen that I could be helpful to their cause. But now, door had slammed shut, locking me out and making me feel as though I was back to square one.

"Why?" I pressed, my arms crossing tightly over my chest, holding back the rush of hurt and frustration swelling inside me. "You agreed with my idea. Wasn't that enough to prove that I can actually be helpful?"

was like a

Titus took a slow, measured breath, his gaze faltering just a fraction as it softened, if only for a heartbeat. "Sage, this mission is dangerous," he said, his voice carrying an edge of finality. "This isn't like strategizing around a table or honing skills in training. It's fieldwork. There's no margin for error, no space for anything to go wrong. I can't risk you jeopardizing everything."

sting of his words settling deep.

underestimating me," I shot back, trying to steady the wave of indignation rising in my

hardness in his

mean?" His voice was low, laced with suspicion and a touch of curiosity, as if he

any mention of the past, knowing one wrong word could ruin the fragile balance between us. But as upset as I was

make things complicated and would lead to questions he might not be ready to hear or even ones I wasn't ready to answer. But I was so tired of being underestimated and of him assuming he knew me when he clearly didn't. It felt like he couldn't see me at all, like I was just someone in the background, even though I'd

silence for a reason, but now I couldn't keep quiet anymore. Titus needed to know the real me, not the cautious, careful version he thought he knew. And if he couldn't

him frown. Titus's hand flew to his temple as he grimaced, the struggle to remember taking a visible toll on him. I watched as he winced, his face contorting with a mixture of frustration and pain. Just as he started to say something, Anna appeared at the doorway, her face clouded with concern. She didn't waste a second, rushing over to him and placing a hand on

Chapter 98

voice laced with a gentleness

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could even speak, she had his arm around her shoulder, guiding him toward the door. Titus leaned on her, clearly struggling, his face still a mask of pain as he fought through whatever fog clouded his memories. And though her touch was light, almost tender, there was something too controlled, too practiced about the way she handled him, as if she knew