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.

to give you a ring when you became my wife," he murmured, his lips grazing my knuckles in reverence. "I should have

darkened with regret, but his grip on my hand remained

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

the raw

whispered, feeling the sting of

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

hard, my heart pounding in

whispered, leaning into his

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

ever hurt me. His lips were soft yet firm, as if pouring every unsaid word, every

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

along my bare shoulder. "And I am yours. No more running, no

my

down at the ring again. It was beautiful, exquisite even, but it wasn't the diamond that made

that giving me this ring means you're stuck with me for the rest of

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

it."

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

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

out a soft chuckle before placing a lingering kiss on my bare shoulder, his lips warm against my skin. His arms tightened around me, pulling me even closer as if

funny thing is," he murmured against my skin, "I never

my head to look

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

heart squeezing at the thought of him

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