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

on my hand remained steady. "Now, I will take this chance to give you everything you

as if grounding himself in the promise. “I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.

chest ached at the raw sincerity in

feeling the sting of

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

my heart pounding

already do," I whispered,

the distance between us. It didn't take

wrapping around me like a shield from everything that had ever hurt me. His lips

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

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

word settled deep in my chest, warming me

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

giving me this ring means you're stuck with

me in. “Oh, kitten," he smirked, lowering his lips to graze my ear. "I'm counting

it."

of me, light and unguarded. I had spent so many years thinking happiness like this was out of

did your memories come back?" I asked curiously. I've been meaning to ask him about it since he appeared, but

lingering kiss on my bare shoulder, his lips warm against my

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

my head

fingers traced lazy circles along my arm. "Then you left, and that feeling

heart squeezing at the thought of him suffering all that time.

wasn't until I saw you again-until I held