Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

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"Going to bed? We had a long flight, and we need some rest. Whatever your reason is for coming here, I suggest you come back tomorrow," I said bluntly. I didn't bother to mask my irritation. "My lady!" Elara gasped beside me, horrified at my tone. Her wide eyes flicked between me and the king as though she feared a storm might erupt any second.

I shrugged off her reaction, rolling my eyes. Titus might be a king, but I wasn't about to bend over backward just to be polite. Not here. Not when we were alone. I didn't have to pretend for him. "Elara, could you give us a moment?" Titus's voice was calm and commanding as he addressed her.

"Of course, Your Majesty," she replied quickly, ready to obey.

"Elara, stay here." You're not going anywhere," I cut in.

Titus's scowl

scowl deepened, his displeasure evident at my direct defiance. But I wasn't about to back down.

"I'm sorry, Sage," Elara murmured, bowing her head as she slipped out of the room in a rush before disappearing faster than I could stop her.

"Elara!" I called after her, but she was already gone. I stood there, feeling the heavy weight of her absence.

When I turned back to Titus, he was watching me with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement. His eyebrow arched as though he found my frustration utterly amusing. "Why are you calling for her? Afraid to be alone with me?" His voice dripped with mockery. I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. "I'm not scared of you, Titus. Most importantly, I'm not afraid of you. After everything that's happened, there's nothing left for me to be afraid of, even death."

His smirk only grew, the look in his eyes darkening with mischief. "Who said

En

anything about dying?" His voice lowered, a challenge hidden in the smooth tone.

There was a spark in his gaze that sent a shiver down my spine.

T

I immediately took a step back as soon as I saw him move forward, slowly claiming the distance between us.

"Stop right there," I warned him, but he obviously doesn't know how to listen. "Don't come closer," I said once again. And just like the first time, he didn't budge. "Titus, I'm warning you."

But all of those didn't matter to him. My threats have no bearing because he knew that this is his territory. No one would dare to take my side if it's against him. He controls everybody around, and they are more than willing to bend their knees at his command. I held my breath when he finally succeeded in claiming the distance separating us. My throat suddenly felt dry as soon as he grabbed my waist. My hand automatically pressed against his chiseled chest to put some distance between us. But even that faint attempt didn't succeed. Titus's gaze darkened as a slow, wicked smile spread across his lips. "I love the way my name rolls off your tongue so naturally," he said. His voice was so low that it almost sounded like a purr. He stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine. His next words sent a shiver down my spine: "But I know something else that rolls off the tongue even more perfectly. I was lost for words. He was so straightforward that I didn't manage to respond immediately. Our bodies being pressed against each other makes the tension worse. I can feel the warmth emanating from his body. That warmth alone was more than enough to ignite the fire within me that I've been trying hard to suppress. His eyes never left mine. There was a challenge in his gaze, daring me to respond. I didn't bother to look away. I want him to know that he has no effect on me, despite me knowing the fact that he commands every fiber of my being with just one touch. In the end, I was the first to want to look away. Despite my effort to pretend that he means nothing to me, my body betrays me.

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I let out a

question Oud sigh. "Why are you doing this?" I know I've asked him that

question countless times, but I haven't gotten the answer that eded.

“Because regardless of what happened before, you're still my wife," he replied.

I hate to admit that it wasn't the answer that I was looking for. I want to hear from him that he loves me; that's why he was doing everything he could to get me back. But I didn't hear any of that from him. It seems like it takes more than just love to claim an alpha king. I took a deep breath. "You have plenty of wives that are more than willing to perform their duty. Why are you wasting your time on me? We obviously have different priorities. We're not on the same page; heck, we're not even reading the same book. Why are you forcing me to stay here when you don't even need me?" Frustration was penting up inside me. His actions weren't so clear that they caused confusion inside my head.

Titus's smirk deepened as his eyes gleamed with amusement, his voice dropping to that dangerously low tone that always made my heart **p a beat. "You make an excellent point, kitten," he murmured, the endearment rolling off his tongue like a secret meant only for me. "But there's just one little problem with that." I frowned; curiosity piqued despite the tension simmering between us. "And what would that be?" I asked.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he closed the distance between us, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that made the air between us feel electric. For a heartbeat, I thought he was going to keep teasing. But then he spoke, his voice low and deliberate, and each word sent a shiver down my spine.

"None of them," he whispered, his breath brushing my lips, "was you."

Before I could fully grasp what he meant, he claimed my lips without a warning. The kiss was

sudden that my body leaving no room for secondguessing. It was so

in an instant. My mind barely had time to register what was happening, still trying to make sense of what was happening. I kept on thinking about what he just said, but his kiss and his arm wrapped around my waist made it hard for me to think of anything. Chapter 61

It wasn't the heartfelt confession I'd been hoping for-the one that would make everything clear. But in a way, it was close enough, wasn't it?Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I was running out of breath when he finally decided to let go of my lips. He also took that chance to catch his breath. He was about to lower his head once again to kiss me, and I was quick to put my hand over his mouth.

"You can't just kiss me whenever you feel like it," I snapped, my voice unsteady but firm. My heart was racing as I tried to pull back to put some space between us. But before I could move, he tightened his arm around my waist, pulling

me even more.

I gasped when I felt the warmth of his tongue slide across my hand, tracing a slow, deliberate path along my palm. Then, as if to prove a point, he slipped his tongue between my fingers, teasing and playful, sending a shiver through my whole body. I immediately felt the electric volts coursing through my body. The way his tongue moved between my fingers was overwhelming. It was bold and left me completely off balance. I tried to say something, anything to stop whatever spell he was casting over me, but the words wouldn't come. All I could I think about was how he held my hand. I automatically withdraw my hand away from his sinful tongue.

He smir

smirked, clearly satisfied with how I'd responded. "I don't need permission, Sage," he said softly, his lips brushing against my skin with every word. The air between us felt heavy, the tension thickening with each passing second.

I want to push him away, but my body betrayed me. Heat rushed to my cheeks; my pulse quickened, even as my mind screamed for me to push him away. But his touch, the intensity of his gaze, made me feel completely out of control.

It took me a good amount of time before I finally composed myself. Lgulped as I gathered all the courage I could muster.

Consent, Your Majesty?" I snapped back, my "Of course you do. Ever heard words laced with sarcasm. I was desperately trying to regain control, but my heart was racing. The warmth of his touch still lingered on my skin. I couldn't let him see that he was

to me.

Instead of being offended, he just smiled-that infuriating, knowing smile. It made my frustration s*e e**ven higher. His eyes gleamed with amusement, as

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if he welcomed the challenge.

The

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"Your response to my kisses," he said in a teasing, low voice, "seemed like more than enough consent, don't you think?" He smirked, the showing how confident he was about the effect he had on me. ourve of his lips

Anger flared inside me, my face heating up. "You-" I started, but the words died in my throat when he suddenly released me. Confusion washed over me. Why did I feel a pang of disappointment? As if something was missing now that his warmth was no longer wrapped around me.

"Grab your things; you're staying in my room," he ordered.

I

"I'm not staying in your room," I firmly objected.

"We'll see about that," he replied before finally leaving the room.

I was left alone inside, filled with confusion. He doesn't sound like he has given up the idea of us sharing a room. But I was so confused as to why he suddenly left. But all my questions were answered as soon as the maids started walking into my chamber. They were the royal maids responsible for preparing the ladies in the palace w**e about to serve His Majesty.

"What are you all doing here? I don't need you here! Leave, now!" I raised my voice to make a conviction, but they didn't listen. They remained standing, waiting for me.

e again when Elara butted in. "My lady, they I was about to snap at them once again when Elara butted in. "My lady, they are only doing what they're told," she said.

"I know His Majesty tonight or evalu

I am perfectly aware of that. But I don't have any intention of sleeping with

"I know that. But I want them to understand that they're not welcome here, and I will never, under any circumstances, prepare myself just to please that pompous **"

"My lady!" Elara scolded me; panic surged all over her face. She was putting her finger in front of her lips to silence me. "My lady, they'll be in trouble if they can't prepare you for tonight. Twenty lashes on every one of them if they couldn't perform their duty," she explained. "That can't be true," I responded, stunned in disbelief. 58 Wed, Sep 18

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"It is, my lady. I overheard it when His Majesty left," she confirmed.

"Unbelievable! That jerk!" I muttered in frustration. I didn't care if the others heard me insulting their king. I couldn't believe he'd used these innocent victims just so he could get what he wanted. +5