Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 157

SAGE

Deep inside I was already panicking, but I can’t let him know that. I can’t feed his suspicion with my actions.

“Sage, what are they doing here?” he repeated.

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“What’s wrong with them being here? They were missing their mom. They’re sad, so I offered to comfort them by letting them sleep in my room,” I explained.

“You’re lying,” he said, which makes me hold my breath. “I know when you’re lying,” he added.

I laugh nervously, masking the fear creeping through my veins. “You always thought I’m lying,” I insisted. “I have no reason to lie, Your Majesty.”

He narrowed his eyes, taking a slow, deliberate step forward. “Is that so?” he murmured, his tone laced with suspicion. “Should I use our mind link to know the truth?”

I suddenly felt a lump in my throat, and I had a hard time swallowing. Can he really do that through our mind link? Or is he just bluffing?

“Go on, do that,” I called his bluff. I was holding my breath while waiting for his next move.

After what seems like forever, he finally broke the silence. “There’s no need for that.”

I subtly breathe out a sigh of relief upon hearing that.

But they look to be around six or seven years old, and you’ve only been gone for three.” He turned back to me, his eyes sharp and calculating. “There’s no way they

me to keep from trembling. “Y–You’re right,” I said, my voice carefully measured. “There’s no way they’re my children. I’m just fond of them. That’s why I wanted to comfort them while

But to my relief, I saw his suspicion ease slightly, the tension in

if dismissing the thought. “Fine,” he muttered, “but

a quiet sigh of relief.

continue this conversation in my room,” he said, turning toward the door without waiting for my response.

in my chest. “No,” I blurted out, perhaps too quickly. I saw the way his shoulders tensed before he turned his head to look at me, one brow raised in silent

my voice to steady. “I mean… I

deliberate step forward. He stopped just inches away, his warmth seeping into me despite the space between us. “Are you afraid

came out. I couldn’t deny the truth behind

in his

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Chapter 157

that I didn’t trust

trust myself.

his scent wrapped around me like a drug, not when the heat of

“Library,” I repeated, my tone firmer this time. “If this is a discussion about legal matters, then it’s only appropriate we handle it

with something unreadable. Then, after what felt

back at last, though the smirk never left his lips.

leaned in again, his breath warm against my ear, his voice dropping into a dark, taunting whisper.

no place in here that can keep you safe from

betraying me in ways I didn’t want to acknowledge. Instead, I forced myself to lift my chin, meeting his gaze with a defiance I