Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 162

SAGE

I finished cooking and wiped my hands on a towel, ready to set the table. But as I stepped toward the dining area, my feet suddenly froze at the doorway.

The sight before me was something I never thought I’d witness, something that sent a strange ache straight to my chest.

23

Titus sat between Harper and Cooper, his large frame dwarfing their small ones, yet he somehow fit so seamlessly between them. He held a small coin between his fingers, flicking it up before making it disappear, only to pull it from behind Harper’s ear.

Harper gasped in delight, her hands clapping together. “Again! Again!” she cheered.

Cooper, skeptical as ever, narrowed his eyes. “I saw you hide it,” he accused, but even then, there was a flicker of amusement in his usually serious gaze.

Titus smirked, leaning closer. “Are you sure about that?” And just like that, he made the coin vanish once more.

The twins gasped, completely enthralled, their laughter ringing through the room like the sweetest melody.

I stood there, gripping the doorframe as I watched them. The way they looked at him with wonder, it was so heartbreakingly natural. Like they’d done this before. Like they had always been a family.

A lump formed in my throat, my heart clenching painfully.

I had spent years convincing myself that keeping Titus away was the right thing to do. That my children didn’t need him, that I didn’t need him. But standing there, seeing them together, I felt that belief crack just a little.

If only I could freeze this moment, hold onto it for just a little longer.

I shook off the thought and started bringing in the food, then settled it on the table.

The kids cheered as I set their plates down, their eyes lighting up at the sight of the golden, fluffy stacks.

“Yay! Pancakes!” Harper clapped her hands together excitedly. Cooper didn’t say anything, but the way he immediately grabbed his fork and dug in spoke volumes.

I turned to Titus, handing him a plate without a word. He took it with a smirk, tilting his head slightly as he studied me. “No special treatment for the king?” he teased.

I scoffed, sliding into the chair across from him. “You’re lucky you even got a plate,” I muttered before taking a bite of my own food.

Titus chuckled but didn’t push further. Instead, he started eating, and for a while, everything was calm. You can hear nothing but the quiet sounds of forks scraping against plates and soft, happy hums from the kids as they enjoyed their breakfast.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to enjoy it too. The warmth of the morning light streaming through the windows, the laughter of my children, the presence of a man who, despite everything, felt like he belonged here.

But just as quickly as that warmth settled in my chest, a cold dose of reality followed.

This wasn’t real.

This wasn’t our life.

And sooner rather than later, all of these will end, and we’ll go back to the way it was.

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Chapter 162

As we sat around the table, the warmth of the moment lingered, filling the room with something that felt almost too normal. Harper and Cooper eagerly dug into their food, occasionally glancing at Tims with admiration. It was clear they had taken a liking to him.

Titus, on the other hand, was completely at ease, eating his meal as if this was just another morning, like we had been doing this for years. Then, in between bites, he casually said, “We should start looking for your mother today”

My hands stilled on my fork, my stomach twisting at his words.

Harper and Cooper looked at each other before they turned in my direction as if they were asking me if they were supposed to respond. “Really? You’ll help us?” Harper pretended like she’s excited.

with his thumb. ‘Of course. You two came all this way looking for her, didn’t you? It wouldn’t be right to leave without trying.”

observant one, tilted his head. “Is

smirked, giving a small shrug. “Let’s just say I had my reasons.” Then, he turned to me, his gaze holding something unreadable.

my throat. I should have been relieved–this was part of the plan, after all. But him tagging along with us wasn’t part

This was dangerous.

find a way to ditch him. I can’t take the risk of walking around with him and the

small smile, pushing a piece of food around my plate as I considered my next move. “That sounds like a good idea.” I said carefully, keeping my tone light. “But I think it’s best if I take Harper and Cooper on

clearly unimpressed with

if most people around here don’t recognize you, it’s still risky for you to be out

smirk deepened as he leaned back in his chair.

no king, Your Majesty.”

ever so curious, cut in. “Why is it

food, Cooper,” I

shoulder and took another bite of the pancake.

other hand, was more focused on her toast, blissfully unaware

Titus.

inhaled sharply and met Titus’s gaze. He wasn’t going to

I sighed, leaning back in my chair, feigning nonchalance.

chuckled. “I always

scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Sure you do.”

his smirk never fading.

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Chapter 162

11

reporting it to the police station,” he suggested,

the road. That would

I forced myself to nod, pretending to consider it. “That’s a good idea,” I murmured, buying myself time.

my gaze focused outside the window, my mind racing

as we were passing through the town’s main street, Cooper gasped

He shouted, his voice filled with excitement.

onto the edge of

to where they were

enough, there’s a small carnival set up in an open field, its colorful banners swaying in the wind. The sound of cheerful music mixed with the laughter

called a carnival,

Harper

a carnival, Harper?” Titus asked as he took a glimpse of Harper through the side mirror.

head, her tiny hands gripping the edge of her seat. “No, we haven’t,” she admitted softly, her usual bright

but I caught the way he lowered his gaze, as if trying

My chest tightened.

my throat, making it hard

from things like this. Not because I wanted to,

least, that’s what I had

away from me. I had convinced myself that shielding them from the

now, looking at them, seeing the longing in Harper’s eyes

I been protecting them?

had I been depriving them?

at Harper, then at Cooper, then finally at me. His gaze held something unreadable, something that made my stomach

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Chapter 169

he said, a smirk slowly curling on his lips. Looks like we’re about to change that.”

up. “Really?” she gasped, her sadness instantly replaced with

Titus chuckled. “Really”

too, his expression more