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.

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 my food to avoid

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

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

me, sharp and unrelenting. It was as if he were peeling back layers, trying to get to the truth hidden

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

an imaginary hat in Scott's direction before turning

in my chest, the weight of his suspicion pressing down on me. I needed to tread carefully-one wrong move, and

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

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

Titus asked, his voice

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

weight of Titus's gaze on

and the intensity there

mumbled, standing abruptly. I barely heard anyone's response as I hurried out of the restaurant, needing a

stepped onto the veranda,

to

inside my chest. I gripped the railing, staring out at the horizon as if the answers I sought might be written

she already knew I was lost in my

tugged at the loose strands of

fragile and fake. "I'm fine. Stop worrying about me," I said, trying to sound

me for a

me like she was piecing together

I not?

around every corner

got your name on