Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

hapter 170

SAGE

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The week was almost over, yet the elders remained silent. No summons, no accusations, no whispered threats. On the surface, it seemed as if they had accepted Titus' declaration that I was to be queen. But deep down, I knew better. Their silence wasn't acceptance-it was a strategy. They were waiting, planning, biding their time.

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Titus was doing better, but he still hadn't woken up. His wounds had healed, yet his body remained trapped in unconsciousness. We were doing everything we could to keep the truth hidden from those who wished the crown harm, but we wouldn't be able to maintain the illusion forever. Sooner or later, someone would notice.

The thought weighed on me heavily as I sat beside his bed, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Scott entered, his usual composed expression in place. "Good morning. my lady, he greeted, glancing briefly at Titus. "How's His Majesty?"

1 let out a slow breath. "He's doing better. His wounds have healed, but he hasn't fully recovered. He should have woken up by now," I admitted, my voice laced with concern.

Scott nodded. "That's still good news," he said.

I studied his face, knowing he hadn't come here just to check on Titus. "Do you have any news about the attack?" I asked. I knew he'd been investigating, searching for the ones responsible.

His jaw tightened. "Not much. Whoever orchestrated this attack left no loose ends."

My stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

Scott exhaled, crossing his arms. "His Majesty's wounds have been difficult to heal because the rogues were using wolf's bane on their claws."

I stiffened. "Wolf's bane? That's lethal to any werewolf. Even rogues aren't immune to its poison."

"Exactly," Scott confirmed grimly. "That's why we're convinced they weren't meant

to survive this attack. Whoever sent them knew they were going to die."

A chill ran down my spine. "Then why would they agree to such a suicide mission?"

Scott's expression darkened. "We found traces of forbidden magic in their systems. They were most likely forced."

I swallowed hard, horror creeping into my bones. "Mind control."

Scott nodded. "Yes. And whoever did this has access to magic we thought was long buried."

I blew out a sharp, unsteady breath, trying to steady the turmoil brewing inside me. "I hope you catch whoever is behind this, Scott. They should pay for their crimes," I said.

"We will do everything we can, my lady. I swear it."

I was startled when I suddenly heard a voice coming from the hallway.

"My lady! My lady!" she shouted.

I was about to open the door and check it when a maid came rushing into the

room. She was catching her breath in panic. *

What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.

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"The kids, my lady! The kids..." she said in between catching her breath.

My heart slammed against my ribs. "What about the kids?" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.

The maid clutched her chest, still gasping for air. "The elders ordered to bring the kids in to the courtroom!"

The blood drained from my face.

"What?!" The word barely made it past my lips, my entire body going cold. “Not this again!"

Scott reacted instantly, his body going rigid beside me. "On what grounds?" he demanded, his voice edged with fury.

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The maid shook her head frantically. "I don't know, my lord! I only heard the guards saying that the elders summoned them immediately. They didn't even allow me to speak before taking them away!"

My vision blurred at the edges as sheer panic settled into my bones. My children- my babies-were dragged before the very people who had wanted me dead.

I didn't waste another second. I turned on my heel and stormed toward the doors, my heart hammering in my chest.

"My lady, wait!" Scott called after me, but I didn't stop.

I couldn't stop.

Not when the same people who had ordered my execution now had my children in their grasp.

Not when I had no idea what they planned to do with them.

I reached the hall leading to the courtroom, my breath coming in ragged bursts. The doors were closed, guards stationed at every corner. My presence was noticed immediately.

"Let me in!" I ordered, my voice ringing through the hallway.

One of the guards hesitated, glancing at the others. “The elders-"

"I don't care what the elders say! Those are my children!" I snapped, fury lacing

my

The doors suddenly creaked open from the inside.

"Let her enter," a voice commanded from within.

words.

I pushed past the guards without hesitation, my heart pounding violently against my ribs.

And then I saw them.

Harper and Cooper stood in the middle of the courtroom, small yet unyielding, their little hands clenched into fists. The elders sat on their high seats, watching them with unreadable expressions.

Terror gripped me, but I refused to let it show. I straightened my shoulders, stepping forward with every ounce of defiance Inoveldrama

had left.

"If you so much as lay a finger on them," I warned, my voice deathly calm, "I swear on everything you hold dear, I will burn this entire palace to the ground." "Have some respect for the court!" one of the elders shouted.

"If you want me to respect this court, then show some respect to my children!"

"That's enough!" said the head council. An older man with deep-set wrinkles and piercing eyes leaned forward. His gaze bore

16:32 Sat, 8 Mar MO

into mine as if trying to unearth every secret I held. "We are not here for that, Lady Sage."

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These children," he began, his voice slow and deliberate, "are not ordinary. We all witnessed what happened a week ago."

I clenched my fists. "And what exactly is the problem with that?" The elder beside him scoffed. "The problem, Lady Sage, is that we were informed that you have been claiming that these kids were His Majesty's children." "They're my children," I said firmly. Not confirming nor denying what he just said.

A different elder-a woman with silver hair and sharp, knowing eyes-tilted her head. "Your children... and the king's?"

The room fell deathly silent.

Her words lingered in the air, heavy and charged, like a brewing storm on the verge of breaking.

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My breath hitched, my heart pounding against my ribs. I had always known this moment would come. I had feared it, but I had also steeled myself for it.

"Yes," I declared with unwavering resolve.

I turned to Harper and Cooper, who stood just behind me. Their wide eyes mirrored their shock-an innocence shattered by the weight of the truth. My heart ached knowing they had to learn it this way.

Gently, I reached out my hand to them. Without hesitation, they grasped it, their tiny fingers wrapping around mine as if entrusting me with everything.

One of the elders let out a mocking laugh. "Do you take us for fools, young lady? We are well aware of when you left His Majesty's side, and the timeline simply doesn't add up. These children couldn't possibly be his."

"They are growing at an accelerated rate, far beyond that of any normal being. In truth, they are not even three years old

yet."

"Lies!" he spat, his voice laced with accusation.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let his words shake me. "I have no reason to lie," I

said firmly.

The room buzzed with murmurs, uncertainty creeping into the faces of the gathered elders.

The silver-haired elder narrowed her eyes. "If what you claim is true, then why

hide them? Why not bring them before the council sooner?"

"I had my reasons."

The first elder who accused me slammed his fist against the armrest of his chair. "Enough of this nonsense!" he bellowed. "A simple claim is not enough proof. If they truly possess royal blood, then we shall test them."

I instinctively pulled Harper and Cooper closer. "Test them how?" Another elder smirked. "We shall send them into the Labyrinth of Truth."

My breath hitched. The Labyrinth of Truth? That wasn't just a test-it was a death

sentence.

"You can't be serious!" I snapped, my grip tightening around Harper and Cooper. "They're children!"

The elder merely arched a brow, "Children who wield enough power to shake this kingdom," he countered. "If they truly are of royal blood, they will survive. If not, well... then they were never meant to be here in the first place."

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Rage boiled inside me. "You mean to say that if they don't make it out, you'll just

let them die?"

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"The Labyrinth reveals the truth," the silver-haired elder said smoothly. "If they are heirs to the throne, the magic within it will recognize them. It is the same trial His

Majesty underwent to claim his rightful place. Surely, his children can do the same?"

"A trial that he undertook after his coming of age!" the elder bellowed, his voice echoing through the grand hall. His face was flushed with indignation as he pointed a gnarled finger toward Titus. "Those children are not even ten years old-

certainly not eighteen! You cannot seriously suggest they be subjected to the same ordeal!"

Murmurs rippled through the courtroom, some in agreement, others uncertain.

The weight of the elder's words settled like a thick fog, but I refused to let fear take hold.

"They shouldn't have to prove anything," I said, my voice firm despite the turmoil in my chest.

The elder scoffed, shaking his head. "Bloodlines are sacred, and the throne is not

a place for unverified heirs!"

"No, I will not allow you to let my children undergo such a trial!" I insisted.

"I'm afraid you're not in a position to decline," said the head council. "Prepare the

children for the test!"

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