Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 109

SAGE

The journey ahead felt heavier than I expected, and it wasn't because of the terrain. Kieran, the hunter, took the lead, guiding us through winding roads that grew narrower as we neared the mountain. Eventually, we had to park the car at the base, where three horses were

waiting for us.

I should have known this wouldn't be simple. With only three horses, pairing up was inevitable. Titus paired with Anna, his hand on her waist as he helped her onto the horse. My stomach tightened as I watched them-he was so gentle with her, so attentive. I hated the pang of jealousy that crept into my chest, but it was there, gnawing at me all the same.

Scott and Elara took the second horse, their easy banter a sharp contrast to the storm brewing inside me. That left me with Kieran.

"Guess it's you and me, little lady," Kieran said, offering me his hand with a playful grin.

I hesitated, my eyes flickering toward Titus. His gaze was fixed on us, dark and smoldering, jealousy rolling off him in waves. His jaw was clenched so tight I thought he might crack a tooth.

"You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, loud enough for me to hear but not directed at anyone in particular.

Kieran chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the tension. "Relax, Alpha. I'll keep her safe," he said, his tone dripping with mockery as he mounted the horse and reached out to help me up.

Iswallowed hard, not sure if the fire in Titus' eyes was going to ignite into an actual fight. Ignoring him was impossible, but I couldn't let his reaction dictate everything. Taking Kieran's hand, I climbed onto the horse behind him.

The ride was awkward, to say the least. I could feel Titus' eyes burning into my back the entire time, even as he rode ahead with Anna. She seemed to hask in his attention, her laughter carrying on the wind. Each giggle made my heart clench tighter.

Kieran must have sensed my tension because he leaned back slightly and whispered, "Jealousy suits him, don't you think?"

"Don't push it," I snapped, but my voice lacked bite. I hated how easily he could read the situation, how amused he seemed by it all.

The trail grew steeper, the dense forest around us swallowing the sounds of our journey. I tried to focus on the mission, on the task ahead, but my emotions kept pulling me in different directions.

Titus' protectiveness over Anna. His anger at Kieran. The way he barely even looked at me after last night.

And then there was Kieran, his calm demeanor hiding the danger he represented and the secret deal hanging between us like a weight I couldn't shake.

I exhaled a shaky breath and tightened my grip on the saddle, willing myself to focus. This wasn't the time to let emotions take over, not when so much was at stake.

But as I caught another glance of Titus helping Anna adjust her position on their horse, a pang of bitterness twisted in my

chest.

The path became narrower as we climbed higher, forcing the horses to slow down. Kieran seemed completely at ease, whistling a low tune as if he didn't have a care in the world. Meanwhile, I felt like I was walking a tightrope, balancing my own emotions while trying to ignore the tension radiating from Titus.

"Not much of a talker, are you?" Kieran broke the silence, glancing over his shoulder at me with a smirk.

"I don't feel like talking," I replied flatly, tightening my grip on the saddle as the horse navigated a rocky patch.

"Suit yourself," he said with a shrug, his tone laced with amusement. "But you might want to loosen up. You're stiff as a board

back there."

"I'm fine," I muttered, but the truth was, every muscle in my body was tense. I couldn't shake the feeling of Titus' piercing gaze every time I glanced his way.

Up ahead, Anna's laughter broke the quiet again. I tried to tune it out, focusing on the steady rhythm of the horse's hooves against the dirt. But it was hard when I saw Titus leaning toward her, murmuring something that made her smile.

1 gritted my teeth, the jealousy simmering beneath the surface threatening to boil over.

here," Kieran whispered, his voice low

business," I snapped, my

further. For a moment, silence settled over us again, broken only by the sounds of the forest

a stop and dismounted, helping Anna down with practiced ease. The sight made my stomach twist, but I forced myself to look away, sliding

revealing the turmoil he was trying to hide. He stopped a few steps away and gave Kieran a sharp look. "Kieran, why don't you scout ahead?" he said, his tone firm and leaving no

thing, Alpha,"

shifted in the saddle, ready to get down by myself, when Titus moved closer and held out his hands to help me. His silent offer made me hesitate, confusion twisting in my chest. I stared

to me. He extended his hand with a casual grin, his

was stuck between the two of them-Titus, stiff and brooding, and Kieran,

but I forced myself to look away. I didn't want this tension, didn't want

down. He placed both of his hands on my waist. His grip was steady but didn't carry the weight of the emotions I was trying to avoid. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I could feel the heat

it, gave me a cheeky grin. "See? Easy as pie," he said, brushing

but my attention remained on Titus. His jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like he might crack a tooth, and the

refusing to feed into the unspoken battle. If Titus wanted to stew in his jealousy, that was his problem. I had enough emotions of my own to deal with without taking on his

once again before he proceeded to scout the area to make sure

"You really think riding with him was a good idea?" he asked, his voice low but

choice, I shot back, crossing

tightened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to argue. But instead, he took a step closer, his gaze locking onto mine. "You're playing with fire, Sage," he said softly, the warning in his voice unmistakable. onto mine. "You're playing with fire, Sage," he sa "Funny," I replied, forcing a

us crackling with unspoken words. Before either of us

is

Scott said, glancing between us

Anna back onto the horse. I bit the inside of my swallowing

0

cheek,

in his words, which initially indicated that there were other women in the house, so

he invited her to help him taste the chefs' cooking It was like an elder inviting a junior home for a meal. It

refuse, it would be a little disrespectful. "Then I'll have to trouble you

dilapidated. From the diagonal direction, one can also see the playground at the back of the police station. Maeve thought to herself, "The person who dared to live here must be someone who was honest. Otherwise, he would not dare to be so close to the

was warmly welcomed by the female housekeeper

had really been a long time since they showed

came downstairs after changing his clothes, the several desserts ordered by Maeve had

would you like some?"

head of the table and said with a smile, "I don't really like sweet food, but I think it should be good to eat

saying that, he told the female housekeeper a name of the dessert

Maeve savoring the desserts carefully, Warren pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, unable to conceal the smile on his face.

a smile. "Sweet food will improve

in a good

silent for a few seconds. The silver fork in her hand gently poked the cheesecake, and her expression

asked. I'm not very good with words. My son always

your son acting cute with you. In

see." Warren

each other for many years. No matter what topic they were talking about, they could continue and speak frankly. The female housekeeper could not help but reveal a heartfelt smile. "I'm sorry, I need to go to the washroom." Maeve felt a faint pain in her abdomen. She guessed that it might be her period, so she stood up and asked

led her over and told her that there was something she needed

When she was changing her sanitary pad, she realized that the back of her dress was dirty. No wonder the housekeeper kept

in her heart. 'I hope I haven't

she was done, Maeve walked out of the washroom with a red face. She saw that housekeeper was still waiting for

saw that your dress was dirty just now. Shall I bring you

it be

our best to make you feel comfortable." The housekeeper brought Maeve

the pink and exquisite decoration in the room and asked, "May I ask if this is the