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.

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

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

“I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I will erase every

ached at the raw sincerity

sting of unshed tears behind

hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb stroking gently as he studied my face. "Let me make you happy, Sage. Let me love you the way you always should have been

swallowed hard, my heart pounding

do," I whispered, leaning into his

lips before he closed the

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

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

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

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

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

lip. "You do realize that giving me this ring means you're

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

it."

of me, light and unguarded. I had spent so many years

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

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

is," he murmured against my skin, "I

head to look

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

squeezing at the thought of him suffering all

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 into mine. "My mind may not remember you, but my heart never forgot you.