Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 176

SAGE

A groggy sigh escaped my lips as I stirred awake, my body aching in ways I hadn't experienced in a long time. Every inch of me felt sore-a testament to the passion Titus and I had shared the night before. A deep blush crept up my cheeks as memories of his touch, his kisses, and the way he had worshipped me flooded my mind.

I stretched lazily, only to pause when I felt something cool and solid pressing against my finger. My brows furrowed in confusion as I slowly lifted my hand, my vision still hazy from sleep.

And then I saw it.

A ring.

A breathtaking, intricate ring with a diamond so large it caught the early morning light and shimmered like a piece of the moon itself.

My breath hitched.

My heart pounded against my ribs as I stared at the delicate band wrapped around my finger. It was elegant, yet undeniably regal-something only a king could have placed there.

"Titus..." I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper.

As if on cue, a strong arm snaked around my waist, pulling me against a firm, warm chest. A satisfied growl rumbled from behind me, and before I could turn, soft lips pressed against the bare skin of my shoulder.

"Good morning, my queen," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

My chest tightened at the sound of those words. My queen.

I turned to face him, my fingers trembling as they brushed against the ring, half- expecting it to vanish like a dream. "You-" I started, but the words caught in my throat, tangled in the overwhelming emotions swelling inside me.

Titus chuckled, a low, husky sound that sent shivers down my spine. He reached for my hand, bringing it to his lips with a tenderness that made my heart ache. His blue eyes, still heavy with sleep, shimmered with something deeper-something unspoken.

to give you a ring when you became my wife," he murmured, his lips grazing my knuckles

gave you pain." His voice darkened with regret, but his grip on my hand remained steady. "Now, I will take this chance to

in the promise. “I will spend the rest of my life making it

the raw sincerity

whispered, feeling the sting of unshed tears behind my

as he studied my face. "Let me make you

hard, my heart

already do," I whispered,

spread across his lips before he closed the distance between us. It didn't take

everything that had ever hurt me. His lips were soft yet firm,

rested against mine, his breath mingling with mine

bare shoulder. "And I am yours. No more running, no

The word settled deep in my chest, warming me from the

smiled, glancing down at the ring again. It was beautiful, exquisite even, but it wasn't the diamond that made my heart race -it was

realize that giving

he was hovering above me, his arms caging me in. “Oh, kitten,"

it."

spent so many

I asked curiously. I've been meaning to ask him about

on my bare shoulder, his lips warm against my skin. His arms tightened around me,

thing is," he murmured against my skin, "I never got my memories

my head to

was something wistful in his expression. "I remember waking up every day, feeling... lost. Like something was missing. I couldn't explain it, but it was there, this emptiness that nothing could fill." His fingers traced lazy

my heart squeezing at the thought of him suffering

his head, pressing a gentle finger to my lips. "At first, I thought it was anger. I was furious, but deep down, I didn't know why. It wasn't until I saw you again-until I held you again-that I realized the truth." He cupped my face, his blue eyes burning