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?"

as if I were the one being interrogated. My breath caught as I waited for Titus to respond, my heart pounding against my ribcage. "Tell them, Titus. Tell them that you already decided that I'll be your Luna once you reclaim your throne," Anna

resolute, broke through the tension in the room. "I will not reduce it to a mere bargaining chip, no matter the

words hung in the air, but the

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

turned his head slightly toward Scott, his expression unyielding. "Beta Scott,

hesitated for a fraction of a second, his gaze flicking between Anna and Titus, but

to pull away,

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

remaining tension palpable. All eyes turned back to Titus, whose calm demeanor betrayed nothing of the storm brewing beneath

said smoothly, his voice carrying an air of control. "Now, shall we

leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. His sharp gaze didn't waver, and the corners of his mouth twitched into a faint, knowing smile. "My condition remains unchanged, Alpha Titus," he said,

the back of a chair. "I see," he

her eyes betrayed her calm exterior. She sat with

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

tension, but my voice caught in

gaze flicked

"Your proposition 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 future of every pack under my protection. I will

course, Alpha Titus," he said smoothly, "Take all the time you need. My

ultimatum that could change the course of everything, he turned toward Elise, his tone shifting to something softer but

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

help him better consider

"Of course, father," she said, her voice steady

didn't object, but his eyes flickered with something unreadable before

left a bitter taste in my mouth. As Elise rose gracefully to her feet, I

Elise said, her tone smooth and confident as she gestured for us to follow

without

the slight tension in his jaw, the subtle clenching of his fists at his sides. It was a small tell-something