Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 156

SAGE

I let out a slow breath as I pushed the door open, stepping inside my room. The tension from my meeting with Titus still clung to me like a second skin, but the sight before me was enough to momentarily ease the weight pressing down on my

chest.

Harper and Cooper were sprawled out on the floor, giggling as they stacked wooden blocks into a wobbly tower. Their laughter, so pure and innocent, filled the space, washing away some of the darkness I had carried back with me. For a moment, just a moment, I allowed myself to take it in–to believe that we were safe, that this was normal.

+5

“Mommy–oops! I’m sorry.” Harper squealed when she noticed me, immediately abandoning the tower and running to my side, but immediately covered her mouth when she remembered what I told them a while ago.

It’s a good thing that there’s no one else here in the room right now.

Cooper followed right after, his tiny arms wrapping around my waist as Harper clung to my side.

I hugged them tightly, burying my face into their soft hair, inhaling their familiar scent. They were my anchor, my reason to fight. No matter what happened, I would protect them. I had to.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” Cooper asked, pulling back to study my face. His little brows furrowed with concern.

“Cooper, stop calling her mommy,” Harper immediately scolded her brother.

“I’m sorry,” he said, bowing his head while pouting his lips.

I smiled, “It’s fine, Harper. Good job remembering it. But it’s fine, since we’re the only ones here.” I turned to Cooper, stroking his cheek. “I’m fine, sweetheart. I’m just… a little tired.”

Harper tilted her head, watching me carefully. “Did Mister make you mad?”

I tensed, my mind flashing back to Titus’s piercing gaze, the way his lips had brushed against my skin, the cruel authority in his voice when he told me I had no choice.

“No, he didn’t,” I lied, brushing a stray lock of hair from Harper’s face. “We just had a talk. That’s all.”

Cooper pouted. “I’m glad he didn’t make you mad. He seems nice, and I like him. It will be sad if he turns out to be a bad guy.”

I let out a soft chuckle, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “He’s not a bad guy, sweetie.”

“Then, why do we need to pretend in front of him and all the people around here?” Harper curiously asked. “You said he’s not a bad guy. Then, maybe he can help us find our father!” she suggested excitedly.

I froze.

through me like a blade. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out everything else

she

only she understood that the very man she was talking about–the one she thought could

more complicated than they

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Chapter 156

brows furrowed. “But why? If he’s strong and powerful, then maybe he

throat. “We already have a home, baby. And I will protect

glance with Cooper, who was still watching me closely, as

though her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness. “He has the same hair as

whispered against their heads. “No matter what

and Cooper nodded without

“Now, why don’t we finish building that tower

face lit up. “Yes! But Cooper keeps knocking it over!”

gasped dramatically. “That was an

giggles filled the room again, and for a moment, I allowed myself to pretend that everything was normal. That we weren’t trapped in a place we didn’t belong. That we weren’t living under the shadow of a man who could

I knew this fragile moment of peace wouldn’t last forever.

my children, knowing that moments like this might not come often. But as night fell and the warmth of

The papers.

had given me until

fate in its folds. The weight of his threat lingered in the air–if I didn’t sign, he would force me. And I knew all too well that an Alpha’s command was not something I could fight

voice pulled

up at her. She and Cooper were already snuggled under the blankets, their small bodies curled up together.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

then bit her lip. “Are we really safe

been the more observant one. She noticed things, even when I tried to shield her from

running a hand through her hair. “Of course, we are.

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Chapter 156

a long moment before nodding. “Okay, Mommy.

Cooper, who was already half–asleep.

to the window. The moon was high, casting silver light across the landscape. My mind was racing,

was so busy spending time with my kids that it totally slipped my mind. Using my pen, I

door

my heart hammering in my chest. I already