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 should have given you

voice darkened with regret, but his grip on my hand remained steady. "Now, I will take this chance to

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

the raw sincerity in

I whispered, feeling the sting of unshed tears

stroking gently as he studied my face. "Let me make you

my heart

I whispered,

closed the distance between us. It didn't take

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

mine, his breath mingling with mine

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

deep in my chest,

wasn't the diamond that made my heart race -it was what it symbolized. A fresh start.

that giving me

so that he was hovering above me, his arms caging me in. “Oh, kitten," he

it."

of me, light and unguarded. I had spent so

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

against my skin. His arms tightened around me, pulling me

murmured against my skin,

my head to look at

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

heart squeezing at the thought of him suffering

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