Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 108 SAGE

The next morning, the air in the hotel restaurant buzzed with tension. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in a warm glow that felt at odds with the icy atmosphere at the table.

Kieran, the hunter, lounged casually in his chair, sipping coffee like he hadn't a care in the world. His sharp, calculating eyes roved over the group, landing briefly on Titus before flicking to me.

"Morning," he greeted with a grin, gently raising his coffee cup.

That gesture immediately earned a sharp look coming from Titus.

He was glaring at me, and his eyes were filled with accusations.

I quickly look away from Titus after responding a stiff nod towards Kieran, sliding into the chair across from Titus. My movements were deliberate, but my pulse quickened as I felt Titus's eyes boring into me from across the table. His sharp gaze hadn't softened since last night, and I didn't need to look to know he was still fuming.

"Coffee?" Scott offered, clearly trying to break the tension as he handed me a steaming cup.

"Thanks," I murmured, avoiding Titus's glare by focusing on pouring cream into my coffee.

Kieran leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening as he glanced at Titus. "Alpha, you look like you didn't sleep a wink. Too much on your mind?"

Titus's fork clattered against his plate, his grip tightening around the silverware. "Stay in your lane, hunter," he said coolly, though the edge in his tone was unmistakable.

"Easy now," Kieran chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Just trying to make conversation," he added before turning his attention squarely to me. "How about you, little lady? Glad you made it back safe and sound last night."

My body stiffened, and my heart skipped a beat. Panic rose in my chest as his words sank in. We had an agreement-no one was supposed to know about the deal we struck last night. I shot him a wide-eyed warning look, silently begging him to stop talking.

But of course, nothing escaped Titus's sharp gaze. His jaw tightened, the muscles ticking as his piercing eyes darted between me and Kieran, suspicion written all over his face.

my head, the sudden intensity at the table almost suffocating. "I have no idea what you re talking about,

voice cutting through the air like a blade. "What's going on?" he demanded, the authority in his tone sending

his playful smirk widening. "Must've been the whiskey. I probably mistook you for someone else. The woman I spoke to last night was... charming, though I doubt she could hold a candle to you, my lady." His tone was light,

lingered on me, sharp and unrelenting. It was as if he were peeling

boiling point. "Hunter, keep in line," he said, his tone firm. "We've got a mission to plan. Save the theatrics for

course, Beta," Kieran replied with mock deference, tipping an imaginary hat in Scott's direction before turning

who was still watching me with those searing eyes, and quickly looked away. My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of his suspicion pressing down on me. I needed to tread carefully-one wrong move,

team trickled into the dining area, the conversation turned to the mission ahead. Maps were unfurled, strategies debated,

his tone shifting to business. "We head out at noon. The target location's about a four-hour trek from here. It's remote, but I know the

risks?" Titus asked, his

relished the danger. "The usual-hostile forces, traps, and possibly worse. But you knew that when you hired

the discussion continued, I kept my head down, picking at my food. I could feel the weight of Titus's gaze

there made my

I barely heard anyone's response as I hurried out

stepped onto the veranda,

moment to myself. The

staring out at the horizon as if the answers I sought might be written in the pale light

startled me, soft and cautious, like she already knew I

standing in the doorway, framed by the soft light of the morning. A light breeze tugged at the loose strands of her hair as she

"I'm fine. Stop worrying about me,"

didn't believe me

slightly, her sharp eyes scanning me like she was piecing together a puzzle. Crossing her arms, she let out a

not? Trouble

you around

got your name on