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

gaze. His voice, calm yet resolute, broke through the tension in the room. "I will not reduce it to

air, but

voice cut through like a blade, filled with disbelief. She took a step forward, 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. "Beta Scott, escort Anna out of

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

mix of anger and desperation. She tried to pull away, her eyes pleading as they locked onto Titus.

he led her out of the room. Her protests echoed down

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

Alpha Marcus," he said smoothly, his voice carrying an air of control. "Now, shall

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

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

of hope in her eyes betrayed her calm exterior. She sat with her hands folded

Each word, each glance exchanged between them, felt

tension, but my voice caught in my

gaze flicked

almost thought I imagined it before returning to Marcus. "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.

sly satisfaction gleaming in his sharp eyes. "Of course, Alpha Titus," he said smoothly, "Take all the time you need. My daughter and I will be here,

of everything, he turned toward Elise, his tone shifting to something softer but no less deliberate. "Elise, my dear," he said, his words

and

him better consider his

of determination flashing in her eyes. "Of course, father," she said, her voice steady

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

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

smooth and confident as

without

clenching of his fists at his sides. It was a small tell-something most wouldn't catch-but I'd