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.

murmured, his lips grazing my

pain." His voice darkened with regret, but his grip on my hand remained steady. "Now, I

slightly around mine as if grounding himself in the promise. “I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I

at the raw sincerity in

feeling the sting of unshed

my cheek, his thumb stroking gently as he studied my face. "Let me make

swallowed hard, my heart pounding in

I whispered, leaning

the distance between us. It didn't take

me. His lips were soft

finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine, his breath

shoulder. "And I am

settled deep in my chest, warming me from

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 start. A

fingers over the cool metal, biting my lip. "You do realize that giving me this ring means you're stuck with me for the rest of your life,

caging me in. “Oh, kitten," he smirked, lowering his

it."

bubbled out of me, light and unguarded. I had spent so many years thinking happiness like this was out of

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

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

he murmured against my skin, "I never got my memories

head to look

there, 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 death without even

swallowed hard, my heart squeezing at the thought of him suffering all that time.

was anger. I was furious, but deep down, I didn't know why. It wasn't until I saw you again-until I