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.

jealous here," Kieran whispered, his

own business," I snapped, my tone

further. For a moment, silence settled over

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

dark and stormy, revealing the turmoil he was trying to hide. He stopped a few steps away and gave Kieran a

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

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.

horse with ease and turned back to me. He extended his hand with

of them-Titus, stiff and brooding, and Kieran, laid-back and playful, both waiting for me to make a

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

me 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

me a cheeky grin. "See? Easy as pie," he

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

straightened my shoulders and turned away, refusing to feed into the unspoken battle. If Titus wanted to stew in his jealousy, that was

then mounted his horse once again before he proceeded to

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

choice, I

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

eyes darkened, the space between us crackling with unspoken words. Before

coast is

should keep moving," Scott said, glancing between us with a

as he turned to help Anna back onto the horse. I bit the inside of my

0

cheek,

initially indicated that there were other women in the house, so as to put

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

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

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 of the police station. Maeve thought

warmly welcomed by the female housekeeper and the chef. They

obvious that it had really been a long time since they showed

his clothes, the

you like some?" Maeve politely asked

sat down at the head of the table and said with a smile, "I don't really like

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

pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose, unable to conceal

a smile. "Sweet food

in a good mood

few seconds. The silver fork in her hand gently poked the cheesecake, and

sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I'm not very good with words. My son always mocks

cute with you. In

see." Warren finally

chatted happily 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 to go to the washroom." Maeve felt a faint pain in her abdomen. She guessed that it might be her period, so she

led her over and told her that there was something she

thanked her. When she was changing her sanitary pad, she realized that the back of

help but wail in her heart. 'I hope I

with a red face.

your dress was dirty just now. Shall I bring you upstairs to

it be too

do our best to make you feel comfortable." The housekeeper brought Maeve to a princess room on the second floor and took out

"May