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."

I'd expected. "Jeopardizing?" I echoed, the sting

head, his jaw clenched as he spoke with thinly veiled impatience. "It hasn't been long since you started training. Do you have any idea how many years we spent honing our skills before we were ever allowed on a mission? You'd only be a liability, Sage." The words hit me like a slap, my stomach twisting with a mixture of hurt and disbelief. I forced myself to keep my voice even, though the betrayal simmered beneath each syllable. "So, you're underestimating me," I shot back, trying to steady the wave of indignation rising in my chest. "I may not have the years of training, but let me remind you of who I am, Titus. Despite my past, I am still an alpha's daughter.

He looked at me, stunned, a flicker of something unspoken behind the hardness in

suspicion and a touch of curiosity, as if he were

long, avoiding any mention of the past, knowing one wrong word could ruin the fragile balance between us. But as upset as I was with myself, I couldn't just stand

would 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

not the cautious, careful version

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 his shoulder as if she'd rehearsed this moment countless times. 19:40 Tue, Nov 12

Chapter 98

laced with a gentleness I hadn't seen

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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 more than she was