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.

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. "Now, I

slightly around mine as if grounding himself in the promise. “I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I will erase every bad memory, every moment of doubt, and replace them with

the raw sincerity

I whispered, feeling the sting

to cup my cheek, his thumb stroking gently as he studied my face. "Let me make you happy, Sage. Let me love

swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my

whispered,

he closed the distance between

me. His lips were soft yet firm, as if pouring every unsaid word, every

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

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

in my chest, warming me from the

wasn't the diamond that made

"You do realize that giving me this ring means you're stuck with me for the rest of your life,

his arms caging me in. “Oh, kitten," he smirked, lowering

it."

I had spent so many years thinking happiness

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

lips warm against my skin. His arms tightened around me, pulling me even closer as if he feared I might slip away

is," he murmured against my skin,

my head to look

there, this emptiness that nothing could fill." His fingers traced lazy circles along my arm. "Then you

at the thought of him suffering all

saw you again-until I held you again-that I realized the truth." He cupped my face, his blue eyes burning into mine. "My mind may not