Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 179 SAGE I stared at the silver sword in my hands, my fingers curling around the hilt. The cold metal sent a shiver through me, not just from its chill but from the weight of what it meant. Silver was deadly to our kind-a weapon that could bring even the strongest werewolves and Lycans to their knees. And yet, in this moment, it was not meant for battle. It was a symbol of devotion, of duty, of a queen's unbreakable vow to her king and her people. Holding this sword was more than tradition; it was a silent promise. A queen was not just a woman who stood beside the king-she was his strength, his shield, and his most loyal subject. This blade in my hands was proof of that devotion. It was a reminder that I was offering my life to the crown, trusting the very weapon that could destroyto the man who ruled beside me.

During the coronation, every queen-to-be walked the long aisle of the great hall, the royal sword in her grasp. It was not a show of power but a test of her resolve. The weight of the sword, the danger it carried-it all symbolized the burdens she would bear as queen. Every step forward was a silent oath, a promise that she would give everything for the kingdom.

And at the end of that walk, the king would be waiting. He would take this very ssword and press it lightly against her shoulders, a final act to seal her fate.

"For someone who was about to celebrate the happiest day of her life, you look awfully silent," Elara noticed. "Aren't you excited? Tellif His Majesty was only forcing you to do this. I'll be happy to create a portal to the other side of the world," she said jokingly.

I offered Elara a small smile, hoping to reassure her, but even I could tell it didn't quite reach my eyes. "No one's forcingto be here, Elara," I said softly, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. Then, with a heavy sigh, I let my shoulders drop, as if trying to release the weight pressing against my chest.

Elara wasn't convinced. Her brows knitted together as she studied me, her concern evident. "Then, what seems to be the problem?" she asked gently. "Something is bothering you-l can see it in your eyes." I hesitated, my fingers absentmindedly toying with the fabric of my dress. I hadn't voiced these fears out loud, not even to myself, but now that she was asking, it was like the dam insidecracked just a little.

"It's Titus," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "He mentioned war, but he won't tellwhen it will happen. He refuses to discuss it with me, but I can feel it, Elara. I can feel it coming, and I know it's soon." I took a shaky breath before continuing. "If I had to guess, it'll be right after the wedding." Elara's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she remained silent, lettingget the words out.

"I thought we'd have time," I confessed, my hands clenching into fists in my lap. "Tto make up for everything we lost. Tto just... be together. I wanted to wake up every morning knowing that he was right there beside me, to spend days without worrying about what's lurking around the corner." I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "But instead, I have to live with the fear that soon, he'll be gone again. This time, not because of memory loss or misunderstandings, but because he's riding straight into a war where there's no guarantee he'll cback alive." The thought alone made my chest tighten painfully.

Elara reached out and placed her hand over mine, squeezing gently. "Trust His Majesty, my lady," she said, her voice filled with quiet determination. "He's not the type of man to leave his queen and children behind." I nodded, trying to absorb her words, but the ache in my heart refused to fade. No matter how much I tried to shake off the unease, it clung tolike a shadow, whispering fears I wasn't ready to face.

I took a deep breath, forcing a smile onto my lips. "I know," I whispered, though the tightness in my chest didn't ease.

Elara clapped her hands together, her excitement breaking through the tension. "Well then, that's settled! I'm sure His Majesty is getting impatient," she said with a teasing lilt. "Shall we proceed to the main hall?" I exhaled a shaky breath and straightened my shoulders. No more doubts. No more hesitations. This was the path I had chosen, and I would walk it with my head held high.

I met her gaze and smiled, a real one this time. "Yes," I said softly. "Let's not keep him waiting." 64% With that, I gathered the fabric of my gown and stepped forward, ready to embrace the fate that awaitedbehind those grand doors.

We were escorted by the guards towards the main hall.

Taking a deep breath, I stood at the entrance of the grand hall, my hands trembling slightly as I clutched the silver sword against my chest.

The massive doors before me, adorned with intricate carvings of our kingdom's history, began to creak open. A gust of cool air rushed past me, making the silk of my gown ripple as if whispering secrets only I could hear. My heart pounded against my ribs, drowning out the sound of the murmuring crowd that filled the hall.

I took my first step forward.

The hall was breathtaking, bathed in the warm glow of golden chandeliers, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors. Roses and lilies adorned the long aisle, their fragrance mingling with the faint scent of incense. Nobles, warriors, and pack members stood on either side, their eyes fixed on me, swith admiration, others with curiosity.

But I only had eyes for him.

At the far end of the hall, atop the grand dais, stood Titus.

Dressed in regal black and gold, he looked every bit the king he was-strong, powerful, untouchable. But as our gazes locked, I saw something else in his eyes. Not just love, but something deeper, something raw. A silent plea. A promise.

My grip on the sword tightened.

The weight of my duty pressed against my chest, but so did the weight of my love for him. I had always known that being by his side meant standing at the edge of a storm, but I had made my choice. I would walk through fire if it meant being with him.

As I reached the altar, Titus stepped forward, offering his hand. His fingers, strong and steady, curled around mine, grounding me, claiming me. A silent promise passed between us-one that didn't need words.

"You're breathtaking," he murmured, his voice low enough for onlyto hear.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and gave him a small, knowing smile. "And you're not so bad yourself, Your Majesty," I teased, though my voice trembled slightly.

He chuckled softly, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand. "I couldn't let my queen take all the attention." The warmth of his touch should have calmed me, but I E couldn't ignore the way his body remained tense, the way his gaze flickered ever so slightly to the edges of the room. Even in this moment-our wedding, our coronation-Titus was on guard, as if expecting something to go wrong. I squeezed his hand gently, trying to anchor him to the present. "Your Majesty?" I whispered, barely moving my lips, my smile still in place for the watching crowd.

His jaw tightened before he turned his full attention back to me, his expression softening just enough to reassure me. "Everything's fine, kitten." But I knew him too well. The slight edge in his voice, the way his free hand hovered just a little too close to the hilt of his ceremonial dagger-he was ready for a fight.

The priest began speaking, his deep voice echoing through the hall, öm blessing our union and our reign. I tried to focus on the words, but my heart pounded for an entirely different reason now.

Then, just as the priest gestured forto take the sacred silver sword-the sone I would kneet before. Titus with- something flickered in my peripheral vision. A shadow, a movement that didn't belong. Titus felt it too. His grip on my hand turned iron-tight, and in that split second, I saw his lips part, ready to bark out a command.

Before chaos unfolded, I heard him whisper, “I'm sorry, kitten." AD mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1