Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

side by side entering the palace.

It's already dark when we finally land. Titus keeps on holding my arm as we walk down the stairs, but I was shoving it off every time. When he probably realized that I had no intention to be held, he snaked his arm firmly around my waist and pulled me tighter as we walked I tensed up, instinctively trying to remove his hand from my waist, but I did it as subtly as possible. No matter how I felt about him, I knew better than to openly disrespect him in front of his people. He was still the Alpha, the King, and I didn't want to provoke or embarrass him in from in front of his men. But it quickly became clear he wasn't going to let go. With a sigh of

resignation, Is

As we walked

tried to focus anything

beside

ked through the palace grounds, I noticed how much had changed since left. There were more guards now, maybe even three times as many as before. It was totally different from the way things used to be. I remembered the coup attempt and the chaos that followed when the king's curse threatened the kingdom. But I had thought all of that was over.

Titus must have seen the confusion on my face because he spoke up, "There have been constant rogue attacks in the area. We're trying to track down the werewolves responsible."

His explanation sent a shiver down my spine. "You still haven't figured out how they're getting through the barrier?"

"We're working on it," he replied, his tone tight with frustration. "In the meantime, I suggest you stay within the palace."

"What?" I shot back, sarcasm dripping from my voice. "You want me to live like a prisoner? I thought I was cleared of all charges." He scowled, clearly not appreciating my sarcasm. "You can leave the palace, Sage, but you'll need to take guards with you."

G Chapter 59

"I don't need them. I can protect myself," I insisted, my stubbornness matching his.

"Stop being stubborn," Titus snapped, his voice laced with irritation.

3

I clenched my jaw, holding back the sharp response that threatened to escape. Just as I was about to say something more, a woman I didn't recognize approached us. She was strikingly beautiful while wearing that simple but elegant dress. Her long, beautiful hair matches her pearly white skin. My heart sank as a disturbing thought crossed my mind-had Titus taken another wife while I was gone? "Welcome back, Your Majesty. I'm so glad you've returned safely!" She

exclaimed with an enthusiasm that grated on my nerves. She didn't even spare me a glance, as if I were invisible.

Before I could process what was happening, she wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him into a tight embrace. The familiarity of the gesture made my stomach churn. Who was this woman? And why was she acting so intimately with Titus? "You have no idea how much I missed you, Your Majesty! How are you?" She declared loudly, her voice carrying across the courtyard. It was as if she wanted everyone within earshot to hear her words.

I stood frozen. I don't know exactly how to react. I tried to keep my face neutral, but it was impossible to ignore the sting of her blatant display. I know I have no reaction to be mad. He has every right to take another wife. It's all within his rights. But I can't still ignore the pain it brought to my heart. Titus didn't pull away, but he didn't return the embrace either. His expression remained stoic, his eyes flickering briefly to mine before settling back on her. That small glance, however fleeting, was enough to ignite the emotions I'd been struggling to contain. I felt my fists clench at my sides, my nails digging into my palms as I forced myself to stay composed. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I have no right to get jealous.

3

3

8%

le,

Sep

Seeing them hug was almost unbearable. I could feel the eyes of the guards and se**nts on us. My heart pounded, each beat filled with anger and something else I didn't want to acknowledge-something that felt far too much like jealousy. "We're fine, Anna," Titus finally said. Anna? The name hit me like a shock. I knew that name. I'd heard it before. My breath caught as I stared at the woman standing in front of Titus, her arms still wrapped around him like she belonged there.

Could this really be the same Anna I was thinking of? The thought raced through my mind, wild and desperate. How could it be? Anna was supposed to be dead-gone, supposedly killed by my father. Yet here she was, alive, vibrant, and standing right in front of me as if she had never been away. My mind spun, flooded with questions. How could this be happening? What brought her back, and why now? But more than anything, one question loomed larger than the rest, sending a cold, sinking feeling deep into my chest: What does this mean for Titus? Anna wasn't just any woman-she was his first love, the one who had held his heart long before I ever came into the picture. The one whose memory had haunted him for years, a ghost I could never quite compete with. And now she was here, no longer just a shadow in his past.

The realization hit me hard, knocking the breath out of me. But I didn't bother entertaining the idea. Her coming back should not influence what I am feeling right now. As a matter of fact, this could be a good thing. Now that his first love has returned, there's someone else that he I can put his attention into.

"It seems like you truly missed each other; I'll leave you both alone to catch up. Please excuse me, Your Majesty." I even do a little curtsy before turning my back on them.

"Sage!" I heard him call my name, but I didn't bother looking back. I even walk as fast as I can so I can get out of that place immediately.