Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

making the hinges greke

I marched back to my chamber, each step feeling heavier than the Tax My mind was a swirling mess of frustration d confesses and 1 could mill feel the wright of Time words (ling to me. When I reached my door, I pushed it open without heathering to knock the force of it Inside. Elara was bony laying out my dress for the day, her handiamwothing over the delicate fabric as she carefully arranged in on the bed. She jumped in the sound of the door timing against the wall, her eyes wide as she looked up in "My lady" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with concern. "What happened last night? Are you okay?"

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I barels registered her question, my mind ton tangled in the eve of the morning to offer a clear response. My fron deepened as I moved toward the window, needling air, needing space to think. But Elara was quick to follow her worried gare tracking my every movement Nothing happened last night. Elara I snappel, the irritation in my tone unmistakable. I hadn't meant to lash out, but the temsson was unbearable. Evenaling fell wrong

Elara, however, wasn't convinced. She studied me closely, her sharp eyes not missing a single detail of my demeanor-the tightness in my shoulders, the agitation in my movements. "Clearly, something did happen," she said, her voice softer but I probing unwillme to let it go.

till

Leould feel her staring at me, waiting for an answer, but I had none to give. How could I explain the overwhelming mess of emotions battling inside me! How could I tell her about the tangled web of desire, defiance, and confusion that Titus had stirred up within me! I turned away from the window, crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive gesture. "He's infuriating." I muttered, more to myself than to Elara, but she caught it.

!

Her brows lifted slightly, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "The king?" she asked cautiously, though I could see her interest piquing

I sighed heavily, not wanting to rehash the details but unable to stop myself from venting. "He thinks everything can just fall. into place because he wills it so. That everything-and everyone will bend to his will I shook my head, the anger bubbling up again as I thought about our exchange

lara's eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent, sensing that eded to let it all out. Her quiet presence was a comfort, though the storm of emotions swirling inside me was anything but.

"It's maddening"ntinued, my frustration spilling over as 1 began pacing across the room, the movement a weak attempt to burn off the restless energy gnawing at me. "I don't understand why he feels the need to bring me back to this awtul place" My vouce rose with each word, the confusion and anger bubbling just beneath the surface.

I stopped abruptly, turning to face Elara. "I'm already cleared with all the charges against. That's more than enough reason to let me be and let me live my life peacefully outside his territory. I threw my hands up in exasperation, as if the answer was written somewhere in the air, just out of reach.

wants"

Elara's brow furrowed, her expression softening with concern. Maybe he sees something in you," she suggested gently, her tone careful, like she wasn't sure how I'd respond. "Something he needs." I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "What could he possibly see in me? He's a king, Elara. He doesn't need anyone, least of all someone like me. If anything. I'm just a problem he thinks he needs to fix. A piece of his twisted destiny puzzle that won't fit the way he The thought made my stomach churn with frustration. I had never asked to be part of this. And yet here I was, being pulled hack into a world I had longed to leave behind. Chapter 68

he

114

urging unchecked. He sed me aside in easily. ting like none of it ever

I resumed my pacing my fingers thealing absently through my hair as the floor of emotions kept talks about us being mates" I scoffed the hittemess in my voice fear Which is ironic, isn't it? He just because he found "her"

the one he then waiting for And now, he'i mattered

Elara took a tentative step forward, her eyes full of empathy, In on the edge. "My lady, sometimes. Late in't as clear as we'd like

there

was also caution there, as if she knew I was teetering to be Maybe" to be May

I cut her off shaking my head vigorously. "No Flars You don't understand. He discarded me like I was nothing. Like what we had meant nothing And now he has the audacity to bring mock here and expect me to what? Fall into line Play like his good linle girl Sty voice broke, despite my best efforts to keep it strady. I felt the old wounds reopening, the hurt, and betrayal, raw and vivid as the slay it all happened. The sting of rejection, of being replaced, echoed through my words. throw the

!

Elara's

"He doesn't get to pretend that this is all normal" I continued my voice quieter now, but no less fierce. "He doesn't get to way and then net like I still owe him tommething like I'm supposed to just forget that Lever cared about him." gaze softened as she stepped closer, her hand hovering if she wanted to comfort me but wasn't sure how "I'm sorry, my lady," she said gemily "I can't imagine how painful that must have been for you" stopped pacing my breath coming faster now as I struggled to keep the anger-and the sadness from overwhelming me "It's not just pamful, Elara" I admitted, finally meeting her gaze. It's infuriating. He rejected me for his fate mate, and now he has the nerve to act like like it didn't happen. Now, he will reappear into my life and claim that I was his mate and not Annika. And that be just fall into a trap which makes him believe that it was her who's his fated mate? Thira's expression tightened, but she remained silent, giving me the space to let it out.

"The worst part is" I whispered my fists clenching at my sides, a part of me still wants to care. Despite everything, despite knowing I should hate him for what he did there's this part of me that's still tied to him. And I hate that even more."

Elara took a deep breath, her face filled with sympathy, but also a hint of resolve. "You're stronger than you think, my lady," she said softly. "But I also know that strength doesn't mean shutting off what you feel. It means facing it, and deciding what you'll do with it." 1 frowned, , biting back the rising tide of emotion. "What I'll do with it?" I echoed, the thought foreign to me. "What can I do, Elara! He holds all the power.""

Elara stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on my arm now, grounding me. "Maybe. But he can't force you to stay bound to him. not in your heart. That's your choice. And maybe he's realizing that now, too. Maybe that's why he brought you back-not to control you, but because he knows he can't." Her words settled over me like a blanket, offering comfort even if they didn't erase the hurt. But they gave me something to think about, something to cling to A reminder that even in the chaos and confusion, I still had a choice. "He may be king, I muttered, my voice steadier now, "but that doesn't mean he gets to decide everything"

Elara smiled softly. "Exactly, my lady. You hold the most important power of all-your own heart"

Just as I was about to respond to Elara, a knock echoed through the room, sharp and commanding pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts: Elara and 1 exchanged a quick glance before she moved to open t

the door

Standing in the doorway was a young woman dressed in the omare uniform of the queen's personal attendants. Her expression was neutral, almost too polite, which made me instantly,wary.

"My lady, she began, bowing slightly. "Her Majesty has requested your presence for breakfast. She would be honored if you would join her

!

I frowned, an instinctive knot tightening in my stomach. The last thing I wanted was to sit through a meal with the queen,

TUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

and obviously. His Krypycher wirs The Mes of making walk with her white pretending that nothing was amun teh like an unbearable task. My hands enched at my des the demon in my holy rising again I don't think I warnest, ben the attention, sich her wing, ut men with a subtle tilt of her head Her Majesty investimi lady"

1 pressed me lips into a thin lor, trying to suppress the wave of fritation that wahel over me. Of course she insists. There was no real choice here. No polite way to refuse without eos, and the last thing eded was more attention drawn to my prevenicE Elars stepped forward, bes voice soft bon firm. Perhaps it's been go my Ely It would show good faith"

1 shot her a look, ball-grateful, hall-annoyed. She was right, an seal Armiding this would only make things wome. If I was going to navigate whatever twisted game. Thus was playing. I cdn't afford to make enemies out of the queen

my

Fine I munered reluctantly, stomach widing with messe The last thing I wanted was to sit down for breakfast with the queen, but there was no avoiding it. I straightened my robe and squared my thoulders forcing myself to wear the came mask. I'd been hiding behind since I'd arrived at this place. Let me go get changed I'll be there in a few The attendant bowed, her expression unreadable, before turning on her heel and leaving without another word. As the door clicked shaar behind her, 1 felt a weight settle on my chest

In a

Elars didn't waste any time. She moved quickly, like she had done this a hundred times before. As soon as I gre her the abrad, she hurried to the bathroom, her soft steps the only none in the quiet room. a few minutes, I cou I could hear the water running, steam rising from the bath she had prepared. I stood by the window, staring out at the garden below, but my thoughts were far away. That uneasy feeling had been sitting in my stomach ever since the queen's attendant knocked on the door. "My lady, the bath is ready" Elara's gentle voice called from behind me.

I turned and nodded. Elara's expression was calm, her eyes understanding as she helped me out of my robe. She didn't say anything, but the way she moved-quick and efficient-made it dear she knew how heavy this morning felt for me. She did everything she could to help me get through it. I stepped into the bath, the warm water a brief comfort for my tense muscles, though it couldn't settle the storm of thoughts. swirling in my head. Elara washed my hair, her hands gentle and calming

"Try not to worry too much, my lady," she said softly while rinsing the soap from my hair. "It's just breakfast."

"With the queen," I mumbled, gripping the side of the tub. "Nothing is ever just anything here."

Elara gave me a smal comforting smile. "You're stronger than they think. Don't forget that."

I

worn earlier.

royal breakfast side the robe Word sink in, offering me a small bit of peace. After a while, she helped me out of the bath, wrapping me in a soft towel. She dried my skin with care, moving quickly but silently as she dressed me in a simple but elegant gown, more fitting for a I closed my eyes, letting As she fastened the last button, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked composed, like the perfect guest for a royal breakfast. But inside, I was still trying to build up the courage to face what was coming

Elara handed me a brush, and I ran it through my hair slowly, trying to calm the thoughts racing through my mind. This breakfast with the queen felt like a trap. I wasn't sure what kind of trap, but I knew eded to be ready.

Elara stepped back, taking a look at her work. "You look perfect, my lady," she said softly.

I gave her a small, forced smile. "Perfect is the last thing I feel.

Chapter as

She met my

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"Being my hain's really worked out her 1 ter

*perfect for bar yourself?"

Eisch dichoc'h reply, but the chin's harce to She put it clear, he calm persence helping me find the arenah s get

through this

"Argt. I said, taking a deep berth ss 1 and at the door' do this