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.

like someone's jealous here," Kieran whispered, his voice low enough for only

business," I snapped, my tone sharper

a moment, silence settled over us again, broken only by the

reached a 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

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

argue. "Sure thing, Alpha," he replied smoothly, a hint of mischief in

twisting in my chest. I stared at him, unsure. Accepting his hand meant feeling his

I could decide, Kieran hopped off the horse with ease and turned back to me. He extended his

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

but I forced myself to look away.

weight of the emotions I was trying to avoid. As soon as my feet

a

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

to stew in his jealousy, that was his problem. I had enough emotions of my own to deal with without

horse once again before he proceeded to scout the area to make sure it's

me. "You really think riding with him was a good idea?"

wasn't exactly my choice, I shot back, crossing my

said softly, the warning in his voice unmistakable. onto mine. "You're playing with fire, Sage," he sa "Funny," I replied, forcing a calm I didn't feel. "I was about

the space between us crackling with unspoken words. Before either of us could say

coast is clear!" he

keep moving," Scott said, glancing between us with

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

0

cheek,

feinale housekeeper in his words, which initially indicated that there were other

It was like an elder inviting a junior home for a meal. It was

if she continued to refuse, it would be a little disrespectful. "Then I'll have

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.

the female housekeeper and the

that it had really been a long time since they

clothes, the several desserts ordered

you like some?" Maeve politely asked

at the head of the table and said with a smile, "I don't really like sweet food, but

he told the female housekeeper a name of the dessert

on the bridge of his nose, unable to conceal the smile on his

a smile. "Sweet food will improve one's

a good mood

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

not very good with words. My son always mocks me for only having a

your son acting cute with you. In my opinion, you're

Warren

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

led her over and told her that

pad, she realized that the back of her dress was dirty. No wonder

couldn't help but wail in her heart.

a red

dress was dirty just now. Shall I bring you upstairs to change into clean

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

the room and asked, "May I ask if this is the room Mr. Richard