Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

SAGE

"Simple, make my daughter your new Luna."

The room fell silent, the weight of his suggestion settling like a heavy stone between us. My breath caught in my throat as my mind scrambled to process what he'd just said.

Titus' eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable as he studied Marcus. "You're suggesting an alliance through marriage?" Marcus shrugged, his gaze unwavering. "It's a time-

honored tradition among alphas, and it would solidify our loyalty to your cause. Since your dethronement, all the tributes were sent back to their packs, nullifying your marriage with them. My daughter, Elise, is strong and capable. She'd make a fine Luna. And both of you w My stomach churned uneasily, a tight knot forming as I glanced at Elise. Her face was calm and composed, but the spark in her eyes as she looked at Titus told a different story- interest, curiosity, maybe even hope. It was a look I couldn't ignore, no matter how much I tried.

Titus didn't respond right away. Instead, he sat there, silent and tense, his jaw tightening as he weighed Marcus's proposal. The room grew heavy with the tension, the air thick and suffocating as everyone waited for his answer.

I held my breath, my pulse quickening. Part of me wanted him to refuse immediately, to shut down the ridiculous suggestion outright. But before Titus could say a single word, someone else's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"Alpha Titus can't take her as his Luna," Anna announced, her voice strong and clear, carrying the kind of confidence that demanded attention. "That position has already been filled."

All eyes turned to her, including mine. My chest tightened, a whirlwind of emotions rushing through me at once. Relief, because someone had finally objected

to this absurd idea. And yet... a sharp sting followed her words, a painful reminder of my own uncertain place in Titus's life.

Anna's declaration sent a ripple through the room. Marcus's expression darkened slightly, and Elise's calm demeanor faltered just enough to reveal a flicker of disappointment.

But my attention remained on Titus. His crimson eyes flicked briefly to Anna, then back to Marcus. His face was unreadable, but his silence was deafening.

I swallowed hard, trying to

ady the storm of feelings threatening to overwhelm me.

Marcus leaned forward, his piercing gaze shifting from Anna to Titus. "Is that true, Alpha Titus? Has the position of Luna already been claimed?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and deliberate. I felt the weight of it pressing down on me as if I were the one being interrogated. My breath caught as I waited for Titus to respond, my heart pounding against my ribcage. "Tell them, Titus. Tell them that you already decided that I'll be your Luna once you reclaim your throne," Anna urged Titus.

Titus's jaw tightened, his eyes steady as he met Marcus's gaze. His voice, calm yet resolute, broke through the tension in the room. "I will not reduce it to a mere bargaining chip, no matter the stakes."

His words hung in the air, but the silence didn't last.

"What?" Anna's sharp voice cut through like a blade, filled with disbelief. She took a step forward, her wide eyes fixed on Titus. "Why don't you just tell them the truth, Titus?" she pressed, her voice rising with emotion.

Titus turned his head slightly toward Scott, his expression unyielding. "Beta Scott, escort Anna out of the room."

Scott hesitated for a fraction of a second, his gaze flicking between Anna and Titus, but his loyalty was clear. "Yes, Alpha, he said firmly before moving to take Anna's arm.

"No!" Anna protested, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. She tried to pull away, her eyes pleading as they locked onto Titus. "I'm not leaving! Titus, you can't just-"This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.

But Scott's grip was firm, and with case, he led her out of the room. Her protests echoed down the hallway, but the thick walls soon muffled the sound, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier, the remaining tension palpable. All eyes turned back to Titus, whose calm demeanor betrayed nothing of the storm brewing beneath the surface.

"I apologize for the interruption, Alpha Marcus," he said smoothly, his voice carrying an air of control. "Now, shall we return to the matter at hand?"

Marcus leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. His sharp gaze didn't waver, and the corners of his mouth twitched into a faint, knowing smile. "My condition remains unchanged, Alpha Titus," he said, his tone unwavering. "You will have the full suppor The words were spoken with finality, each syllable falling like a stone into the uneasy quiet of the room.

Titus didn't flinch, but his knuckles whitened as his hand gripped the back of a chair. "I see," he said, his voice measured.

Beside Marcus, Elise remained composed, though the flicker of hope in her eyes betrayed her calm exterior. She sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, watching Titus with quiet expectation.

I stayed rooted in place, my heart thudding painfully against my ribs. Each word, each glance exchanged between them, felt like an invisible weight pressing down on me. I wanted to say something, to step forward and

shatter the suffocating tension, but my voice caught in my throat.

Titus's gaze flicked briefly toward

me-so quick almost thought I imagined it before returning to Marcus. "Your proposition is clear Alpha Marcus," he said, his tone firm. "But I will need time to consider your terms. The alliance we're discussing affects not only my pack but the future of every pack under my protection. I will not make such a decision lightly."

Marcus's smile widened, a glint of sly satisfaction gleaming in his sharp eyes. "Of course, Alpha Titus," he said smoothly, "Take all the time you need. My daughter and I will be here, waiting for your decision."

Then, as if he hadn't just laid down an ultimatum that could change the course of everything, he turned toward Elise, his tone shifting to something softer but no less deliberate. "Elise, my dear," he said, his words almost dripping with calculated rooms? Perhaps some time in your

charm, "why don't you be a doll and escort Alpha Titus and his companion to their

company will help him better consider his choice."

Elise straightened in her seat, a flicker of determination flashing in her eyes. "Of course, father," she said, her voice steady yet carrying a trace of anticipation.

Titus inclined his head slightly. He didn't argue, didn't object, but his eyes flickered with something unreadable before he turned toward the door.

I stayed quiet, forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression, even though the conversation left a bitter taste in my mouth. As Elise rose gracefully to her feet, I couldn't help but feel a pang of unease settle in my chest.

"Right this way," Elise said, her tone smooth and confident as she gestured for us to follow her.

Titus moved without hesitation, his

broad shoulders radiating calm authority, but I noticed the slight tension in his jaw, the subtle clenching of his fists at his sides. It was a small tell-something most wouldn't catch-but I'd spent enough

time with him to know when he was

holding something back.

I trailed behind them, doing my best to stay composed, though every step felt heavier than the last. The air seemed thicker somehow, and each word from Elise, each glance she cast in Tit's direction, seemed to tighten the knot of unease in my stomach. "Your rooms are just down this corridor," Elise said, her tone light as she led us through the grand hallways of her family's estate. "I hope you'll find them comfortable. If there's anything you need during your stay, don't hesitate to let me know."

Her words were polite, almost rehearsed, but there was a lingering undercurrent in her voice-a subtle flirtation that I couldn't ignore.

Titus gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable. "Thank you," he said simply, his tone cool and distant.

When we reached the rooms, Elise

paused, turning to face Titus directly. Her gaze lingered on him, the corners of her lips curving into a soft smile. "I hope you'll take my father's offer seriously, Alpha Titus," she said, her voice dropping slightly, as if she wanted to create a more intimate moment. "I believe we could be... good for each other."

I stiffened at her words, the knot in my chest twisting tighter. Titus, however, remained unaffected-or at least he appeared that way.

"I'll give it the consideration it deserves," he replied, his tone firm but devoid of any warmth.

Elise seemed undeterred, her smile unwavering. "I'll leave you to rest, then," she said, her gaze lingering on Titus for a moment longer before finally turning to me. "And you as well. Sleep well."

With that, she walked away, her steps echoing down the hallway until they faded completely.

Titus exhaled quietly, finally breaking the silence. He glanced at me, his expression softened but still guarded. "Get some rest, Sage," he said, his voice lower now, almost gentle.

I nodded, though the unease in my chest remained. As I stepped into my room and closed the door behind me, I couldn't help but feel like the walls were closing in.

Elise's interest in Titus was painfully clear, and though he hadn't encouraged it, the tension between them and the weight of Marcus's proposal hung heavily in the air.

I pressed my back against the door, my fists clenched at my sides. There were too many emotions swirling inside me- confusion, frustration, and a growing sense of dread I couldn't shake. One thing was certain: whatever decision Titus made, it would change everything.