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

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

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

chest ached at the

feeling the sting of unshed tears behind

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

swallowed hard, my heart

already do," I whispered, leaning into his

his lips before he closed the distance between us. It didn't take long before

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

rested against mine, his breath mingling with

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

in my chest, warming me

exquisite even, but it wasn't the diamond that made my heart race -it

fingers over the cool metal, biting my lip. "You do realize that giving

was hovering above me, his arms caging me in. “Oh, kitten," he smirked, lowering his lips to graze

it."

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

I asked curiously. I've been meaning to ask him about it since

his lips warm against my skin. His arms

murmured against my skin, "I

tilting my head

could fill." His fingers traced lazy circles along my arm. "Then you left, and that feeling turned into

hard, my heart squeezing at the thought of him

"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