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.

his voice low

business," I snapped, my tone sharper than I

silence settled over us again, broken only

dismounted, helping Anna down with practiced ease. The

turmoil he was trying to hide. He stopped a few steps away and gave Kieran a sharp look.

an eyebrow, clearly amused, but didn't argue. "Sure thing, Alpha," he

his hands to help me. His silent offer made me hesitate, confusion twisting in my chest. I stared at

decide, Kieran hopped off the horse with ease and turned back to me. He extended his hand with a casual grin, his teasing

two of them-Titus, stiff and brooding, and Kieran, laid-back and playful, both waiting

me, but I forced myself to look away. I didn't want this tension, didn't want to let things escalate. So, I made the

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

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

jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like he might crack a tooth, and the tension in his

shoulders and turned away, 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

to scout the area to make

his attention to me. "You really think riding with him was a good idea?" he asked, his voice low but laced with

choice, I shot back, crossing

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

Before either of us could say

is clear!" he

glancing between us with a knowing

his expression unreadable as he turned to help Anna back onto the horse. I bit the inside of my swallowing the words I

0

cheek,

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

taste the chefs' cooking It was like an elder inviting a junior home

that if she continued to refuse, it would be a

home is located by the lake behind the police station. It is a white modern-style villa with a garden. It looks like it has some history, but it's not that dilapidated. From the diagonal direction, one can also see the playground at the back

housekeeper and the chef. They took out the tablet menu and

had really been a long time since they showed their great cooking

clothes, the several desserts ordered

Richard, would you like some?" Maeve politely

with a smile, "I don't really like sweet food, but I think it should be good

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

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

"Sweet food will

in a good mood today? Can

in her hand gently poked the cheesecake, and her expression was

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

immediately smiled. "That must be your son acting cute with you. In my opinion, you're very good with

see." Warren

like old friends who had not seen 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

over and told her that there was something

that the back of her

in her heart. 'I hope I haven't dirtied Warren's

was done, Maeve walked out of the washroom with a red face. She saw

I saw that your dress was dirty just now.

it be

course not. I've already asked Mr. Richard for instructions." The housekeeper smiled considerately. "Since you're here as a guest, we naturally have to do our best to make you feel comfortable." The housekeeper brought Maeve to a princess room on the second

in the room and asked, "May