Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 103

SAGE

Scott pushed the heavy door open, the creak echoing through the dimly lit interior of The Rusty Fang. The scent of old wood, spilled ale, and a faint metallic tang greeted us. Inside, the bar was quiet except for a low murmur of voices. A handful of patrons lingered at scattered tables, their faces shadowed under dim hanging lanterns.

We followed Scott as he led us to a secluded corner where a man sat alone. His presence was imposing despite his seemingly relaxed posture. The hunter exuded an air of rugged charm that was impossible to ignore. His chiseled features were weathered, as if he'd spent more time battling the elements than under a roof. A faint scar traced the length of his right cheekbone, a testament to a life lived dangerously. His jawline was strong, covered in a day's worth of scruff that only added to his appeal, and his piercing green eyes seemed to see far more than they let on.

His dark, tousled hair fell just to the nape of his neck, giving him an untamed look that paired perfectly with his broad shoulders and muscular build. He wore a worn leather jacket over a black shirt that clung to his frame; the fabric frayed just enough to suggest years of hard use. A faint, earthy scent of leather and pine seemed to follow him, making him seem like he belonged more to the wilderness than any civilized city.

Despite his rugged appearance, there was a sharpness in his gaze-a wit and intelligence that hinted he wasn't just brawn. His smirk, quick and crooked, carried the confidence of a man who had seen it all and survived to tell the tale. Yet, beneath the surface, there was a shadow in his eyes, a glimpse of someone who had paid the price for the life he led.

"You're late," the man said, his voice low and gravelly.

Scott offered a tense smile as he pulled out a chair and sat across from him. "Had to make sure we weren't followed. You know how it is."

lingered for a moment, narrowing slightly before he returned his attention to Scott. "Let's skip the pleasantries.

your expertise," he began, his deep voice cutting through the

"So, we're not hunting rouges this time, huh? It sounds like you're not

wary of outsiders. Others are outright hostile. We need someone who knows the terrain, their

less serious. And someone who knows how to

in dangerous dealings. "You're not just

hunter's gaze without wavering. "We need someone who can navigate

a mix of amusement and intrigue. "I can.

reach his eyes. "You'll get the full picture when you need to. For now, all you need to know is that we're building something bigger than any one pack.

signaling to Scott, who placed a heavy envelope of cash on the table. The hunter glanced at it briefly before

pulled out an envelope filled with cash, tossing

said. "And there's more where