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.

his lips grazing my knuckles

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

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

at the raw sincerity in his

sting of unshed

to 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

heart pounding in my

I whispered,

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

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

his forehead rested against mine, his breath mingling with mine

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

The word settled deep in my chest, warming me from the

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

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

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

it."

and unguarded. I had spent so many years thinking happiness like this was out

asked curiously. I've been meaning to ask him about it since he appeared, but I

against my skin. His arms tightened around me, pulling me even closer as

he murmured against my skin,

froze, tilting my head to look

nothing could fill." His fingers traced lazy circles

my heart squeezing at the thought of

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