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.

became my wife," he murmured, his lips grazing my knuckles in reverence.

on my hand remained

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

the

I whispered, feeling the sting of

"Let me make you happy, Sage. Let me love

swallowed hard, my heart

do," I whispered, leaning into

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

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

his breath mingling with mine in the quiet intimacy of our shared

he murmured, his fingers tracing delicate patterns along my bare shoulder. "And I

deep in my

the diamond

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

arms caging me

it."

unguarded. I had spent so many years

I've been meaning to

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

he murmured against my skin,

tilting my head to look at him.

this emptiness that nothing could fill." His fingers traced lazy circles along my arm. "Then you left, and that feeling turned into something unbearable. My chest ached in a way I couldn't understand, as if I was dying a slow, painful

heart squeezing at the thought of him suffering

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. Not even for a