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.

give you a ring when you became my wife," he murmured, his lips grazing my knuckles in reverence. "I

pain." His voice darkened with regret, but his grip on my hand remained steady.

life making it up to you. I will erase every bad memory,

at the raw sincerity in

the sting

his thumb stroking gently as he studied my face. "Let me make you happy, Sage. Let me love you the way you always

hard, my heart pounding

do," I whispered, leaning

his lips before he closed the distance

warmth wrapping around me like a shield from everything that had ever hurt me. His lips were soft yet firm, as if pouring every

away, his forehead rested against mine, his breath mingling with mine in the quiet intimacy of our

mine, Sage," he murmured, his fingers tracing delicate patterns along my bare shoulder. "And I am yours. No more

settled deep in my chest, warming

It was beautiful, exquisite even, but it wasn't the diamond that

that giving me this

hovering above me, his arms caging me in.

it."

unguarded. I had spent

curiously. I've been meaning to ask him about it since he appeared, but I didn't get a chance until

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

murmured against my skin,

my head

but there 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 circles along my arm. "Then you left, and that feeling turned into something unbearable. My chest ached in a way I couldn't understand, as if I

hard, my heart squeezing at the thought

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 into mine.