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.

head, the sudden intensity at the table almost suffocating. "I have no idea what you re talking about, I said, my voice deliberately calm as I focused on my plate, cutting into

air like a blade. "What's going on?" he demanded,

Kieran replied smoothly, 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, but the glint in his eyes told me he was enjoying this far

His gaze lingered on me, sharp and unrelenting. It was as if he were peeling back layers, trying to get to the

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

mock deference, tipping an imaginary hat in Scott's direction before turning back to

in my chest, the weight of his suspicion

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

shifting to business. "We head out at noon. The target location's about a four-hour

asked, his

glint in his eyes said he relished the danger. "The usual-hostile forces, traps, and possibly worse. But you knew that when

of Titus's

intensity there

while, I couldn't take it anymore. "Excuse me." I mumbled, standing abruptly. I barely heard anyone's

onto the veranda,

to myself.

air wrapped around me, soothing the storm brewing inside my chest. I gripped the railing, staring out at the horizon as if the answers I sought might be written in

Elara's voice startled me, soft and cautious, like she already knew I was lost

A light breeze tugged at the loose strands of her hair as she stepped closer, her face filled with concern

fragile and fake. "I'm fine. Stop worrying about me,"

believe me for a

like she was piecing together a puzzle.

I not? Trouble

you around

your