Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 180 SAGE ti The moment Titus drew his sword, the sharp sound of steel slicing through the air sent a chill down my spine. My heart pounded in my chest as my eyes immediately darted toward the place where Harper and Cooper had been seated. Panic surged throughwhen I realized their chairs were empty, as if they had never been there to begin with.

+5 Where are they? My mind raced with fear, my breath hitching in my throat. I wanted to run, to find them, to make sure they were safe, but before I could even take a step, the heavy doors to the main hall burst open with a deafening crash.

The scent of blood and unfamiliar wolves filled the air. Intruders.

A feral growl rumbled deep in Titus's chest, low and lethal, as figures clad in dark armor poured into the hall like a shadow overtaking light. But instead of panic, something else happened-something that chilledto the bone.

The nobles and warriors seated throughout the hall rose to their feet in perfect unison, blades flashing beneath the golden glow of the chandeliers. One after another, swords were drawn, the sound of metal ringing out in a hauntingly synchronized rhythm.

They were ready for this. All of them.

It was no accident. No surprise. They had been waiting for an attack. But why hadn't anyone told me? I turned to Titus, but his expression was unreadable. His sword glinted dangerously in his hand as he stepped protectively in front of me, his body tense and coiled like a predator ready to strike.

"Where are Harper and Cooper?" My voice trembled as I gripped his arm tightly. "Titus-where are they?" "They're safe," he said, his tone sharp and final, but his gaze never left the advancing enemies. "I made sure of it. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about this plan. We need to keep it in order to make this trap successful." "It could have been helpful if I was aware of what I'm getting myself into," I said sarcastically. I can't believe Titus used our wedding as bait.

"I'm sorry, kitten." "Well, save your apology for later. Let's win this battle." A figure lunged toward us, fangs bared and eyes blazing with malice, but before I could react, Titus moved with lightning speed. His sword cut through the air in a deadly arc, striking the enemy down in a heartbeat. Blood splattered across the marble floor, but he didn't even flinch.

The clang of steel against steel echoed through the grand hall, drowning out the gasps and terrified whispers of the remaining guests. My heart pounded in my chest as I tightened my grip on the silver sword in my hand. The weight of it felt foreign, but strangely right. I wasn't going to stand by and watch. Not while my kingdom, my family, was under attack.

I lunged forward, blocking a strike aimed at one of our guards. The impact rattled through my arms, but I held firm, twisting the blade and pushing my attacker back. My instincts kicked in, sharper than I ever thought possible. Every lesson Titus had ever taught me, every ounce of strength I'd buried deep, rose to the surface. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Titus cutting down enemies with terrifying precision. He was a blur of power and fury, every move calculated and deadly. But even as he fought, I could feel the tension radiating from him; he was holding back as if his mind was on something else. Someone else.

I slashed through another opponent, my breath coming in ragged bursts. Blood stained the pristine marble floor beneath my feet, but there was no tto process the chaos. My focus narrowed to the next strike until a familiar voice cut through the noise like a blade through flesh.

"Well, isn't this a heartwarming scene?" The hair on the back of my neck rose at the sound. That voice-I knew it. I spun around, my sword raised, and there she was.

+5 Anna.

She stood at the far side of the hall, dressed in dark leather, her lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. Her once warm, loyal gaze was now sharp and filled with venom. And beside her were the invaders. She hadn't cas a victim of this attack. She had cas the mastermind.

"You," I breathed, my heart twisting with shock and rage.

Anna tilted her head, a mockery of innocence flashing across her face. "Surprised?" She spat the title like it disgusted her. I'm tired of standing in the shadows, watching you take everything that should have been mine." My grip on the sword tightened until my knuckles turned white. "You did this," I accused, my voice trembling with anger. "The attack before-it was you all along." Her smile widened, cold and cruel. "Clever girl," she drawled. "Yes! It was me. All of it. Did you really think you could waltz back into his life and everything would be perfect? You stole the future I deserved. I was by his side while you were gone. I was supposed to be his queen. I did everything I could to get rid of you! But even without his memories, he still chooses you!" Titus let out a low, dangerous growl from across the room. His eyes locked on Anna with a murderous glint, and in a flash, he began to advance.

I lifted a hand toward him. "No," I said firmly. "She's mine." Anna laughed, the sound brittle. "You think you can takeon, little queen? I've been planning this for years. You have no idea what I'm capable of." "We'll see," I bit out, raising my sword.

She lunged first, faster than I expected-but I met her strike with my blade, the clash sending vibrations up my arms. She was strong. Stronger than she had any right to be. But I wasn't backing down. Not now. Not ever.

"You were never worthy of him," I hissed, pushing back against her weight.

Anna bared her teeth. "And you'll never keep him. Not when I'm done with you." We moved in a deadly dance, steel flashing, hearts pounding. Every strike was filled with years of resentment on her part- and a burning need to protect everything I loved on mine. I wouldn't lose. I couldn't lose.

And when her blade slipped past my defenses, grazing my shoulder, it only fueled the fire inside me.

Pain flared across my shoulder, hot and sharp, but I barely felt it. My blood roared in my ears, drowning out everything except the woman in front of me. Anna's face twisted with satisfaction at the sight of my blood, but I didn't give her the satisfaction of hearingcry out.

I pushed forward, our swords locking again, the screech of metal against metal filling the air. "Is this all you've got, Anna?" I taunted, my breath ragged but steady. "No wonder he never chose you." Her eyes flashed with fury, and she swung wildly-an emotional mistake. I ducked low, twisting to the side, and my blade sliced across her thigh. She staggered back with a hiss of pain, her composure cracking.

"You should've stayed in the shadows where you belong," I spat, rising to my full height. My muscles ached, but I held my ground.

Anna wiped a smear of blood from her leg, her jaw clenching. "You think you've won just because you wear a crown? I've worked for years to tear this kingdom apart piece by piece. Do you really think you can stop what's coming?" +5 Before I could respond, a loud snarl ripped through the air-Titus. He had cut through the remaining attackers like they were nothing, his body tense and his eyes glowing with the fierce golden hue of his wolf. But despite the blood on his hands, his attention was fixed on me.

"Enough," he growled, his voice cold and final.

Anna's face paled slightly at the sight of him stalking toward us, the raw power he exuded making the very ground feel unsteady. But I didn't lower my sword-not yet.

"Leave it to me." Titus hesitated for only a moment, his jaw tight. Then, with a curt nod, he stepped back, grantingthe space to do what needed to be done. Trustingto finish it.

Anna laughed bitterly, though I could see the flicker of fear in her eyes. "You think you're strong enough to kill me?" she mocked, but her voice trembled slightly.

"I don't think-I know," I answered.

Without giving her a chance to strike again, I lunged, my sword moving faster than even I expected. Shem barely raised her weapon in tto block me, her arms shaking from the force. I was done playing games. I pressed harder, pushing her back step by step, until her heels hit the edge of the dais.

"I will never forgive you for putting my children's lives in danger." With one final, F powerful strike, 1 knocked the sword from her hands. It clattered to the marble floor with a sharp, ringing sound. Anna gasped, staggering back as I pointed the tip of my blade at her throat.

"Please," she whispered, her arrogance finally giving way to fear. "Sage... don't." For a heartbeat, I hesitated. Not because I pitied her, but because I knew this was a line I couldn't uncross. Killing her meant carrying the weight of her blood forever.

But then I thought of my children, how she had endangered them. th thought of the chaos she had sown, the lives lost because of her selfish ambition. No. I couldn't let her walk away from this.

I lifted my chin. "You made your choice." And with one swift motion, I struck.

Anna collapsed to the ground, her body still and silent. The fight was over.

The hall grew eerily quiet, the only sound my ragged breathing. My hands trembled slightly as I lowered the sword, the weight of what I'd done settling over me.

Titus was there in an instant, pullinginto his arms. "It's over," he murmured against my hair. "You did what you had to." I clung to him, the adrenaline slowly fading. "I had no choice," I whispered, my voice shaking. "She wouldn't have stopped." "And she won't hurt anyone ever again," he promised, his hold ontightening as if he feared I'd disappear.

I nodded against his chest. It's finally over.

3/4 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1