Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 124

SAGE

"Simple, make my daughter your new Luna."

The room fell silent, the weight of his suggestion settling like a heavy stone between us. My breath caught in my throat as my mind scrambled to process what he'd just said.

Titus' eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable as he studied Marcus. "You're suggesting an alliance through marriage?" Marcus shrugged, his gaze unwavering. "It's a time-

honored tradition among alphas, and it would solidify our loyalty to your cause. Since your dethronement, all the tributes were sent back to their packs, nullifying your marriage with them. My daughter, Elise, is strong and capable. She'd make a fine Luna. And both of you w My stomach churned uneasily, a tight knot forming as I glanced at Elise. Her face was calm and composed, but the spark in her eyes as she looked at Titus told a different story- interest, curiosity, maybe even hope. It was a look I couldn't ignore, no matter how much I tried.

Titus didn't respond right away. Instead, he sat there, silent and tense, his jaw tightening as he weighed Marcus's proposal. The room grew heavy with the tension, the air thick and suffocating as everyone waited for his answer.

I held my breath, my pulse quickening. Part of me wanted him to refuse immediately, to shut down the ridiculous suggestion outright. But before Titus could say a single word, someone else's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"Alpha Titus can't take her as his Luna," Anna announced, her voice strong and clear, carrying the kind of confidence that demanded attention. "That position has already been filled."

All eyes turned to her, including mine. My chest tightened, a whirlwind of emotions rushing through me at once. Relief, because someone had finally objected

to this absurd idea. And yet... a sharp sting followed her words, a painful reminder of my own uncertain place in Titus's life.

Anna's declaration sent a ripple through the room. Marcus's expression darkened slightly, and Elise's calm demeanor faltered just enough to reveal a flicker of disappointment.

But my attention remained on Titus. His crimson eyes flicked briefly to Anna, then back to Marcus. His face was unreadable, but his silence was deafening.

I swallowed hard, trying to

ady the storm of feelings threatening to overwhelm me.

Marcus leaned forward, his piercing gaze shifting from Anna to Titus. "Is that true, Alpha Titus? Has the position of Luna already been claimed?"

I waited for Titus to respond, my heart pounding against my ribcage. "Tell them, Titus. Tell them that you already decided that I'll

resolute, broke through the tension in the room. "I

hung in the air, but the silence

her wide eyes fixed on Titus. "Why don't you just tell them the truth, Titus?" she pressed, her voice rising with

toward Scott, his expression unyielding.

gaze flicking between Anna and Titus, but his loyalty was clear. "Yes, Alpha, he said firmly before moving to take Anna's

with a mix of anger and desperation. She tried to pull away, her eyes pleading as they locked onto Titus. "I'm not leaving! Titus, you

of the room. Her protests echoed down the hallway, but the thick walls soon muffled the

All eyes turned back to Titus,

carrying an air of control.

"My condition remains unchanged, Alpha Titus,"

didn't flinch, but his knuckles whitened as his hand gripped the back of a chair. "I see," he said,

in her eyes betrayed her calm exterior.

my heart thudding painfully against my ribs. Each word, each glance exchanged between them, felt like an invisible weight pressing down

my voice caught in

flicked

is clear Alpha Marcus," he said, his tone firm. "But I will need time to consider your terms. The alliance we're discussing affects not only my pack but the

eyes. "Of course, Alpha Titus," he said smoothly, "Take all the time you

ultimatum that could change the course of everything, he turned toward Elise, his tone shifting to something softer but no less

don't you be a doll and escort Alpha Titus and his

help him better consider his

seat, a flicker of determination flashing in her eyes. "Of course, father," she

inclined his head slightly. He didn't argue, didn't object, but his eyes flickered with something unreadable before he turned toward the

forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression, even though the conversation left a bitter taste in my mouth.

smooth and confident as she gestured for

without

I noticed the slight tension in his jaw, the subtle clenching of his fists at his sides. It was a small tell-something most wouldn't catch-but I'd spent