Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 170

SAGE

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The week was almost over, yet the elders remained silent. No summons, no accusations, no whispered threats. On the surface, it seemed as if they had accepted Titus' declaration that I was to be queen. But deep down, I knew better. Their silence wasn't acceptance-it was a strategy. They were waiting, planning, biding their time.

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Titus was doing better, but he still hadn't woken up. His wounds had healed, yet his body remained trapped in unconsciousness. We were doing everything we could to keep the truth hidden from those who wished the crown harm, but we wouldn't be able to maintain the illusion forever. Sooner or later, someone would notice.

The thought weighed on me heavily as I sat beside his bed, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Scott entered, his usual composed expression in place. "Good morning. my lady, he greeted, glancing briefly at Titus. "How's His Majesty?"

1 let out a slow breath. "He's doing better. His wounds have healed, but he hasn't fully recovered. He should have woken up by now," I admitted, my voice laced with concern.

Scott nodded. "That's still good news," he said.

I studied his face, knowing he hadn't come here just to check on Titus. "Do you have any news about the attack?" I asked. I knew he'd been investigating, searching for the ones responsible.

His jaw tightened. "Not much. Whoever orchestrated this attack left no loose ends."

My stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

Scott exhaled, crossing his arms. "His Majesty's wounds have been difficult to heal because the rogues were using wolf's bane on their claws."

I stiffened. "Wolf's bane? That's lethal to any werewolf. Even rogues aren't immune to its poison."

"Exactly," Scott confirmed grimly. "That's why we're convinced they weren't meant

to survive this attack. Whoever sent them knew they were going to die."

A chill ran down my spine. "Then why would they agree to such a suicide mission?"

Scott's expression darkened. "We found traces of forbidden magic in their systems. They were most likely forced."

I swallowed hard, horror creeping into my bones. "Mind control."

Scott nodded. "Yes. And whoever did this has access to magic we thought was long buried."

I blew out a sharp, unsteady breath, trying to steady the turmoil brewing inside me. "I hope you catch whoever is behind this, Scott. They should pay for their crimes," I said.

"We will do everything we can, my lady. I swear it."

I was startled when I suddenly heard a voice coming from the hallway.

"My lady! My lady!" she shouted.

I was about to open the door and check it when a maid came rushing into the

her breath in

wrong?" I

kids..." she said in

the kids?" I demanded, my voice sharper than

her chest, still gasping for air. "The elders ordered to bring the kids in

drained from my

word barely made it past my lips, my entire body going cold.

his body going rigid beside me. "On what grounds?" he demanded, his voice edged with

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my lord! I only heard the guards saying that the elders summoned them

panic settled into my bones. My children-

waste another second. I turned on my heel and stormed toward the

after me, but I didn't

I couldn't stop.

when the same people who had ordered my

what they planned to

to the courtroom, my breath coming in ragged bursts. The doors were closed, guards stationed at every corner. My presence was noticed

in!" I ordered, my voice ringing through

hesitated, glancing at the others.

say! Those are my children!" I snapped, fury

my

creaked open

a voice

words.

hesitation, my heart pounding violently against my

I saw

unyielding, their little hands clenched into fists. The elders sat on their high seats, watching them with unreadable

I straightened my

had left.

you so much as lay a finger on them," I warned, my voice deathly calm, "I swear on everything you hold dear, I will burn this entire

this court, then show some respect to my

council. An older man with deep-set

as if trying to unearth every secret I held. "We are not here for that,

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deliberate, "are not

with that?" The elder beside him scoffed. "The problem, Lady Sage, is that we were informed that you have been claiming that these kids were His Majesty's children." "They're my children," I said firmly. Not

and sharp, knowing eyes-tilted her head. "Your children... and the

fell

in the air, heavy and charged, like a brewing storm on the verge of

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against my ribs. I had always known this moment would come. I had feared it, but I had

I declared

wide eyes mirrored their shock-an innocence shattered by

hesitation, they grasped it, their tiny fingers wrapping around mine as if

"Do you take us for fools, young lady? We are well aware of when you left His Majesty's side,

an accelerated rate, far beyond that of any normal being. In truth, they are not even three years