Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 144 SAGE A week had slipped by faster than I expected, each day dragging my worries along with it. My chest ached with the gnawing concern for my twins. They must be wondering where I was by now. If only there was sway to talk to them, to let them know I was okay-if only just for a moment.

Standing by the gate, I watched people cand go, my heart heavy with longing. I pressed my palm against the invisible barrier, feeling the hum of magic pulse against my skin like a taunting reminder of my imprisonment. I bit my lip in frustration, my breath shaky.

"Still at it, my lady?" cthe familiar voice of Pantene, the young maid assigned to look after me.

"I have to keep trying, Pantene. I can't just stand around and do nothing." I said with firm determination. She gavea sympathetic smile. "I admire your perseverance, my lady. But you know His Majesty controls where you can go, right?" I groaned tically, rolling my eyes toward the sky. "You don't have to remind me," I huffed, exasperated. Pantene chuckled, the sound light and genuine. In the short tI'd been here, she'd becmy only friend. Maybe it was her warm nature, or maybe it was because she remindedof someone dear to my heart. Either way, I was grateful for her presence, even when she pointed out the obvious.

"Does this place have a library?" I muttered, more to myself than to her. "Maybe there's something in there that can helpget rid of this thing." Pantene's expression shifted, her smile fading into a more serious look. “I'm sorry, my lady, but there's nothing in the library that can help with that charm, she said gently. "I know for a fact it was crafted by a powerful sorceress." I frowned, frustration bubbling inside me. "There has to be something. Even powerful magic has loopholes," I insisted stubbornly.

Pantene's eyes softened, though doubt flickered in her gaze. "You're determined," she said with admiration. "But please be careful. His Majesty isn't known for taking defiance lightly." "Let him try," I muttered under my breath. "I've already survived worse." As I paced near the gate, my thoughts tangled in endless loops of questions. Why were we still here? I was expecting him to leave this place as soon as he foundand go back to the palace, but he didn't. It seems like he was taking care of something in this place.

I exhaled slowly, biting my lip in thought. Part ofwas grateful for that small mercy. Staying in this place meant I was still close to my twins, even if I couldn't see or speak to them. Knowing they were just beyond these cursed walls gavea flicker of hope I clung to fiercely.

"Lost in thought again, my lady?" Pantene's gentle voice pulledfrom my spiraling worries.

I blinked, forcing a smile. "Just wondering why we haven't left yet.' She hesitated, glancing around before lowering her voice. "His Majesty hasn't said anything about moving. But there's been a lot of talk lately. People coming in and out." 1 frowned, my curiosity deepening. “Do you know what they're talking about?" Before I could press her further, the familiar sound of heavy boots echoed through the courtyard. My heart lurched involuntarily as Titus strode toward us, his commanding presence impossible to ignore.

Pantene stiffened and quickly curtsied before stepping aside, leavingstanding alone as he approached. His dark eyes locked onto mine, unreadable yet intense.

"Enjoying the fresh air?" he drawled, his voice smooth but laced with an edge I couldn't quite place.

"Trying to," I replied, refusing to shrink under his gaze. "Why are we still here, Titus?" The guards' eyes standing behind him widened in shock.

He tilted his head, a smirk ghosting across his lips. "Excited to go back?" I crossed my arms, standing my ground. "We both know that if it was for me, I will never go back to that awful place." His smile faded, replaced by a flicker of something more serious. "We'll leave as soon as I settled the problem here." "Problem?" I pressed, narrowing my eyes. "What kind of problem?" "Problem that don't concern you," he said dismissively.

"Everything about this concerns me," I shot back, frustration flaring in my chest. "If you think I'll just stand around and wait for whatever gyou're playing, you're wrong." Titus stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "Careful, kitten. You're treading on thin ice." I lifted my chin defiantly. “Let it crack.” The tension between us was palpable, like a coiled spring ready to snap. Neither of us moved, locked in a silent battle of wills. The weight of unspoken truths hung heavily in the air, each breath charged with a challenge neither of us was willing to back down from.

After what felt like an eternity, Titus's jaw clenched, and he was the first to break the suffocating silence. "Kindly escort the lady back to her chamber," he ordered, his voice cold and unyielding.

The guards stepped forward, their hands outstretched to grab my arm, but I moved before they could touch me. "Don't bother,” I said sharply, turning on my heel. My heart hammered against my ribs, but I forced my steps to remain steady. My dignity was the only thing I had left, and I wouldn't let Titus or his lackeys strip that from me. The sound of my boots echoed through the corridor as I walked away, back straight and head held high, even though every part ofburned with unresolved fury.

I never planned to pry on Titus' business, but fate had a strange way of messing with me. And now, here I was, learning things I never expected to know.

Eavesdropping wasn't exactly my finest skill, but desperate times called for desperate actions. So when I caught bits of conversation between Titus and his men, I followed the trail like a curious shadow.

I slipped quietly through the winding hallways of the estate. Servants bustled about, too preoccupied to notice me. I wanted to know what brought Titus here.

I followed the sound of murmured voices down a dimly lit corridor. The door to a study was slightly ajar, and through the gap, I caught sight of Titus standing with two men I didn't recognize. Their conversation was grim.

...another shipment intercepted," one of the men said, his voice rough. "They were moving them through the old tunnels near the border." Titus's jaw clenched. "And the others?" "Safe now, thanks to your men. But it's getting worse. They're finding new ways to smuggle them." My breath caught in my throat. Creatures? Shipments? What were they talking about?

The other man spoke, his tone filled with disgust. "The humans involved are getting bolder. They're not just trafficking werewolves anymore-there's talk of harnessing hybrids and even rare breeds for their twisted experiments."

I felt a cold wave of dread wash over me. Illegal trafficking of werewolves and other supernatural beings wasn't unheard of but it was rare. Most En humans were oblivious to our existence. But a select, dangerous few knew-and they were always looking for ways to exploit us. Titus's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. "I want every operation dismantled. No creature is to be sold or harmed under my watch." I blinked, surprised by the intensity of his words.

"You sure about this?" one of the men asked cautiously. "Cleaning up this mess could take months-maybe years. And it puts a target on your back." Titus's gaze hardened. "I don't care how long it takes. This stops now."

Suddenly, I felt a surge of panic through my veins. I know that my twins' location was isolated, and they haven't manirested any powers at this moment. But I can't help but worried about the possibility that they might stumble upon my children. I was about to leave when the floor creaked beneath my foot, and the conversation inside the room abruptly halted. “Who's there?" Titus's voice was sharp, deadly.