Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter

SAGE

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We decided to stay in the city for the night. Titus, ever the meticulous planner, arranged accommodations at one of the most opulent hotels I'd ever seen. The sleek marble exterior gleamed under the city lights, and the revolving glass doors seemed to invite us into a world where luxury was a way of life.

At first, I worried about the attention this would draw. Staying somewhere this extravagant felt like painting a target on our backs. But when I voiced my concern, Scott merely smirked and said, "Don't worry. No one will question this."

It wasn't until we were at the reception desk that I realized why. The elegant concierge greeted Titus with a warm, deferential smile, addressing him by name and welcoming him as if he were royalty. "Wait... this place belongs to you?" I asked, incredulous.

Titus glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "My family," he corrected. "My mother's side, to be specific. She comes from the Darion line."

The Darion name sent a ripple of understanding through me. They weren't just influential-they were untouchable. Old money, old power. The kind of lineage that even the royal family treated with caution.

I shouldn't have been surprised. Titus always exuded authority, but this level of influence was staggering. No wonder he was able to secure rooms for all of us without so much as a raised eyebrow from the staff.

We were each given a keycard to our own rooms-except, of course, for Titus and Anna. The receptionist handed them a single card with an almost conspiratorial smile. My stomach churned as Anna's hand brushed against Titus's arm, her laugh soft and sweet like a practiced melody.

I quickly looked away, forcing myself to focus on the keycard in my hand. A private room. A luxury I should be grateful for,/ but instead, it felt like a hollow prize.

As we made our way to the elevator, I couldn't help but steal a glance at Titus. He was standing beside Anna, his expression as distant as it had been since we arrived, yet he stayed close enough for her to claim her territory with ease. She wrapped her arm around his, leaning into him as if staking her claim in front of all of us.

Elara caught my eye and raised a brow, her unspoken question clear. I just shook my head, unwilling to let her see the sting that lodged itself deep in my chest.

When we reached our floor, everyone scattered to their respective rooms. As I slipped into mine, the heavy door closing behind me, I tried to ignore the image burned into my mind-Titus and Anna, walking into their shared room together.

I went straight to the bathroom, needing the soothing sound of running water to drown out the storm in my chest. Turning the faucet, I watched as the cool water filled the tub.

I began to undress. I can't wait to wash away all the bad memories that happened today. That's when I felt it a small, forgotten weight in my pocket. The bottle. I pulled it out, its contents swirling faintly under the dim bathroom light.

Stepping into the tub, I let the cold water embrace me until it dulled into a numbing chill. The bottle rested in my hand. I stared at it, the faint shimmer inside feeling like a physical manifestation of the hope I was too afraid to admit I still carried. This little vial had the potential to put everything back where it belonged, to restore what had been lost. But lately, I found myself questioning whether that was truly what I wanted.

Net out a loud sigh, the sound echoing in the small space. My fingers tightened around the bottle before I finally placed it on the side table; its presence was both a relief and a reminder of everything unresolved.

The ritual to make the potion work-it was a long shot. The impossibility of it only mirrored how unattainable my old life

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with Titus felt. Maybe it was better this way to set the bottle aside and focus on what was in front of me instead of chasing a past that might not want to be found.

The cold water seeped into my skin, cooling not just my body but the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. I let out a slow breath and leaned back, closing my eyes. The water was soothing washing away the weight of the day, if only for a moment.

Once I finally felt calm, I pushed myself up, droplets sliding down as I stepped out of the tub. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around myself and dried off. The cold bath had cleared my head, sparking an idea-a new plan. If we truly needed the hunter's help, there had to be another way to convince him. Something I could do on my terms.

As I tightened the towel around me, my gaze fell on a nearby drawer. Curiosity got the better of me, and when I pulled it open, I was surprised to find it neatly stocked with brand-new clothes. Who they belonged to, I had no idea, but they were far better than the wrinkled, dirty ones I had brought with me.

I sifted through the options, picking out a pair of soft lounge pants and a loose sweater. Comfortable but practical, perfect for whatever was coming next. As I slipped into the fresh clothes a small sense of comfort settled over me.

Once I was fully dressed, I didn't waste a second. Determined, I slipped out of my room as quietly as possible. The halls of the hotel were eerily silent, the luxurious surroundings doing little to calm the storm brewing in my chest. How was I supposed to find the hunter? I had no idea. But returning to the bar where we'd first met seemed like a good place

to start.

Before leaving, I grabbed a small dagger from my bag and tucked it securely at my back. It wasn't much, but it gave me a sense of security, however small. I knew what I was doing was reckless, maybe even outright dangerous, but I couldn't sit back and do nothing. If there was a chance I could help with this mission, I had to take it. With a deep breath, I headed straight to the elevator, the quiet ding of its arrival echoing in the empty corridor.

When I arrived at the bar, its dim lighting and smoky air greeted me like an old friend. I scanned the room for the hunter, but I didn't find any traces of him. I was thinking of asking around, but I don't know where to start.

I turned my back only to bump into Scott. He was standing right behind me, arms crossed, eyes locked on me like a predator ready to pounce.

My stomach dropped.

"What are you doing here, Sage?" He demanded, his voice low but sharp enough to cut through the noisy chatter around us.

"I should be the one asking that question," I stuttered, trying to throw his question back at him.

"I saw you sneak out of your room. I followed you, and here we are. Now, will you please answer my question?"

I hesitated, knowing he wouldn't approve of my plan, but deciding honesty was my best shot. "I came to talk to the hunter," I admitted, standing my ground. "I think I can convince him to work with us."

Scott's jaw tightened, and he shook his head, clearly frustrated. "You're insane if you think Alpha Titus will let you handle this alone. Do you have any idea how dangerous he is? What if he tries something? Do you even have a plan?"

I met his gaze, my voice steady. "That's why I didn't plan on telling him. But you, of all people, know how important this is. So instead of scolding me, why don't you just help me find him? I shifted slightly, the hidden dagger pressing reassuringly against my back. Scott let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. "This is a terrible idea. And if Alpha Titus finds out-"

That's why we don't have to tell him." I cut him off, my voice firmer than I expected. "We can just say that the hunter agrees on accepting the money. That's it."

"You think the alpha is stupid to believe that?"

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"He had no reason not to. He's offering a lot of money. We can just ask the hunter to ask for more money, I insisted.

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Scott stared at me for a long moment, his frustration evident. But then he sighed again, his expression softening slightly. "Fine," he relented, his tone gruff. "But if you're doing this, you're not doing it alone. I'll stay and watch your back." Relief washed over me, though I kept my expression neutral. "Thank you," I said quietly.

Scott nodded but didn't look happy about it. "Let's get this over with before I change my mind."

"But wait. We don't know where to find him." I said.

"Don't worry. Leave that to me," he replied.

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