Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 174

Betryed 174

Chapter 174

SAGE

13

I couldn't take my eyes off Titus as we walked back to the palace. Every few steps, I glanced his way, as if afraid he'd disappear again-like this was all some fragile dream that could shatter at any moment. But he was here. Warm. Solid. Breathing. His fingers were laced with mine, his grip firm and reassuring. And for once, I didn't mind the possessiveness of

1. it.

I'm starving!" Harper groaned, rubbing her stomach as we stepped inside.

Titus chuckled, finally releasing my hand-only to drape his arm around Harper's shoulders, pulling her close. There was a warmth in his gaze, a soft wonder as he took in the sight of her, taller, older, and so much more grown than the last time he saw her.

I watched them, my heart swelling. I used to fear I'd never be the most important woman in his life. But now? Now, I knew I never would be. Because Harper was here. And I wasn't jealous-I was grateful.

"That's probably why you're growing so fast," Titus teased, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I was only unconscious for a little over a week, and suddenly you've aged years."

"Ew! Don't call me 'princess,' Dad!" Harper scrunched her nose in disgust, then froze as the realization of what she'd just said hit her. Her expression softened, hesitation creeping in. "Is it okay for me to call you Dad?"

The vulnerability in her voice made my chest ache.

Titus's expression shifted, the teasing glint fading into something deeper. He crouched slightly so he was at eye level with her, his gaze searching hers. Then, with all the certainty in the world, he answered, "It's more than okay. It's all I've ever wanted."

Harper blinked rapidly, clearly trying to suppress her emotions. But Cooper, standing just behind her, smirked and nudged her playfully. "You're such a crybaby."

“Oh, shut up,” Harper shot back, shoving him in the arm.

I couldn't help but notice how much they had changed-not just in height, but in presence. Their words, their stance, even the way they looked at the world-it was all older, wiser. They weren't children anymore.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I had missed so much already. And the truth was, they were still growing. With every second that passed, they were slipping further away from the childhood they barely had.

I used to think time stole children's innocence slowly.

But for Harper and Cooper, time had stolen it in an instant.

The halls of the palace felt both familiar and foreign as we walked through them. It had only been a short while, yet so much had changed. The way the guards eyed the twins with cautious curiosity, the hushed whispers of the servants as they stole glances-it was clear that Harper and Cooper were no longer seen as mere children. They were something more now.

Titus kept Harper close to his side, while Cooper walked just ahead of me, his shoulders squared, his steps confident. The way they carried themselves now makes me feel proud.

had already laid out a feast fit for royalty, as if they had anticipated this very moment. The scent of roasted meats, fresh

next five seconds, I

as he sat beside her. "Go on

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shot him a glare, but her irritation barely lasted a second before she began piling food

reserved. He didn't dive into the food immediately. Instead, he watched as the servants moved around the room; his eyes were

his arm as I

to Harper and Titus, before he finally spoke. "They still

the room seemed to

set down his goblet,

Everyone who witnessed what happened today," Cooper muttered, poking at his food but

ridiculous. We passed the test. The labyrinth

steady but firm. "They fear

on

turned to

flicked between the twins. "You don't need their approval. You don't need to prove yourselves any further. The labyrinth did that for

you

you don't

his voice sent a shiver

determination flickering in her gaze. Cooper, though still wary, gave a

silently. And for the first time, we weren't pretending. We weren't

We were a family.

through the dining hall as Harper made a

"What is this?"

smirked. "Dragon pepper stew. A palace

groaned. "It's an attack on my taste

head as he took a careful bite. Unlike his sister, he didn't seem bothered

Harper shot back, taking another daring bite

head back and laughed, the sound deep and rich, filling the room like a long-forgotten melody. My heart warmed at the

accused Titus, she wasn't bothered that she was talking to the most powerful lycan

has ever known.

mouth as if he was afraid of

suspicion, chewing

the moment the spice

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