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. "You think I'll somehow mess things up

betrayal simmered beneath each syllable. "So, you're underestimating me," I shot back, trying to steady the wave of indignation

processed my words. He looked at me, stunned, a flicker of something unspoken behind the hardness in his gaze.

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

letting that slip out. I'd been so careful for so 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 by and let him think I was weak-someone

the past 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

needed to know the real me, not the cautious, careful version he thought he knew. And if he couldn't see

to explain it further when I saw 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

Chapter 98

come on," she murmured, her voice laced with a gentleness I hadn't seen

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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