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.

he murmured, his lips grazing my knuckles in reverence. "I should

on my hand remained steady. "Now, I will

rest of my life making it up to you. I will erase every bad memory, every moment of doubt,

chest ached at the raw sincerity in

I whispered, feeling the sting

he studied my face. "Let me make you happy, Sage. Let me love you

hard, my heart

I whispered, leaning into his

he closed the

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 shared

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

in my chest, warming me from the

it wasn't the diamond that

biting my lip. "You do realize that giving me this ring means you're stuck with me for

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

it."

bubbled out of me, light and unguarded. I had spent

I asked curiously. I've been meaning

bare shoulder, his lips warm against my skin. His arms tightened around me, pulling me even closer as if he feared I

murmured against my skin, "I never

tilting my head to

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

my heart squeezing at the thought of

I saw you again-until I held you again-that I realized the truth." He cupped my face,