Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter SAGE

23

There are a lot of things going on inside my head right now. Aside from planning to escape, I still need to reassess my conflicting feelings for Lord Titus.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice as her person following me from behind.

"The palace suits you well, sister," said that familiar voice behind me.

I rolled my eyes as I stopped my track. Of course, she's here as well. Why am I not surprised?

"Hello, Annika," I said without a trace of warmth in my voice.

"That's not the most sisterly greeting, Sage. Oh, forgive me, Lady Sage," she jabbed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Stepping forward, the enveloped me in a tight embrace before placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Did

you come here with your brother?" I inquired, brushing aside her snide comment,

"Still fixated on my brother while you already had a handsome man warming your bed! My, my, aren't you a bit greedy, sister she reported, her words laden with disdain.

"What happened inside my bed was none of your business. If you'll excuse me, I still have important matters to attend to," I said before turning my back

"Dad

eds some money, and we came here to ask. His Majesty, she said.

I scoff, "And what does it have to do with me

"You're going to help us convince His Majesty to give us money, right?" she asked confidently.

"Tell me, why would I do that, Annika

"We

We feed you. We gave you home. This is the least you could do for us," she replied.

"You do all those things just so I can take your place! I exclaimed

And look how it turns out You should be thankful we did that. If not for that, you

ouldn't be wearing these fancy clothes and sleeping on that comfortable bed. You should be thankful' she smirked

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"You're a hopeleze tænks. T'm not help

father was wing the park's money to sustain

any of you. It's not my fault that your gambling addiction. If you'll excuse

me. I hate to gri" It's my best word before orng around. But I haven't even taken a few reps since she spoke again. However, what and has me completely

the

dumbfounded

"Meeting someone" she taunted her words ripping with mockery, as if she held some julcy secret.

1 squared my shoulders, refusing to let her get under my skin. Again, none of your business, Annika. I retorted, my tone firm.

Annika huckle grated on my nerves like muls on a chalkboard. "Oh, but sis, everything about you is my business. After all, we are family," she said with a smirk, her eyes glinting with mischief. Well, aren't you being a little bit busy entertaining my brother. His Majesty, and another mystery man? Her tone dripped with sarcasm.

I held my breath, trying to quell the rising panic within me. There was no way she could know about what was happening between me and Lord Titus. She had arrived, hadn't she! It couldn't be possible, could in

Just.

"I don't appreciate what you are implying, Annika. May I remind you that you are a gurst, and I'm a woman of the palace? Watch your word," I warned her.

She steered. "I was just looking after you. You don't want anyone to know your secret, do you?" she said. "But don't worry, sister. Your secret is safe with me as long as you do as I say she said

Whiat

"What secret" "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, acting as if I had no idea what she was talking about. Though I'm starting to put every piece of the puzzle Together. The shadow that I saw in the garden-could it be her? "Stop acting dumb, Sage. I saw you with that man. I'm sure His Majesty won't appreciate

If once he becomes aware of your infidelity," she smirked.

My heart was racing in panic. I was dumbfounded and lost for words.

"You got your tongue, sister?" she taunted. "But you have nothing to worry about. I wasn't planning on telling His Majesty about it as long as you convince him to give us the money that we are asking for"

Annika's words sent a chill down my spine. "You can't be serious, I managed to say, my wire trembling with disbelief. "You're blackmailing me?"

She shrugged nonchalantly, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Call it what you want, Sage.

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But you know what we want, and you know what will happen if we don't get it." Her word sechoed i

words

I in my mind, a grim reminder of the precarious situation I found myself in. I couldn't believe Annika would stoop so low, using my personal life as leverage to satisfy her own desires. Anger surged within me, but I knew I had to tread carefully. "I won't let you manipulate me," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "You and your brother may think you hold all the cards, but I won't bow to your threats." Annika's smirk widened, her confidence unshaken. "We'll see about that, sister," she replied cryptically before turning on her heel and sauntering away, leaving me alone. with the weight of her ultimatum heavy on my shoulders.

As Annika disappeared from sight, I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread settling in the pit of my stomach. Her words lingered like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over any semblance of peace I had hoped to find.

I knew I couldn't ignore her threat. Annika wouldn't hesitate to use it against me. I need to do something before it's too late.

I briskly walked back to my room to think about my next move. As soon as I saw the door, I saw Elara standing outside, waiting for me.

"Good evening, my lady. Would you like me to help you settle for the night?" she

offered.

"Thank

you, Elara, But I'd like to be alone tonight," I decline. If I pursue my plan, I need to get rid of her.

"Is everything alright, my lady?" she asked worriedly.

I'm fine. Thank you. You may rest for tonight, Elara. Good night." I didn't give her time to answer, as I quickly shut the door behind me. She was trying to say something, but I didn't bother waiting for what she was about to say. As soon as I reached my room, I hurried over to the dresser to find something comfy to wear. Most of the clothes there were fancy dresses and skirts, but luckily, I spotted a pair of trousers hidden among them.

I swiftly changed into the trousers and grabbed a few more clothes to take with me. I didn't have a plan yet for getting past the gate, but I knew I had to do something. I couldn't just sit around and wait for my family to decide my fate. They'd do anything to protect themselves, even i if it meant sacrificing me. clothes, some food, and a f a few

personal belongings. Once my bag was packed, I glanced around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings one last time. With a determined nod, I slung the bag over my shoulder and made my way to the door. As I reached the door, I paused, listening for any sign of movement outside. The hallway beyond was eerily quiet, the silence adding to the sense of urgency that pulsed through my veins. With a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped out into the corridor. I moved. quickly but quietly, sticking to the shadows as I made my way through the labyrinthine. halls of the palace. But just as I reached

I reached the main entrance, a figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking my path. It was Elara, my loyal attendant, whose expression was a mix of concern and confusion. "My lady, where are you going?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But then I saw the genuine concern in Elara's eyes, and I knew I could trust her.

"ed to to leave, Elara," I "I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't stay here any longer."

Her eyes widen in shock. "My lady, that's a very dangerous thing to do!"

"I know; that's

why you need to help me. I need to get away from here," I pleaded. before she could

could even answer, 1 heard thundering footsteps coming our way. A few minutes later, I heard my father's voice shouting "Cease her! Don't let that criminal get away!" he shouted, which completely caught me off guard.

But b

Who is he referring to?

It didn't take long before I finally got my answer when the guards grabbed both of my arms, forcing me to kneel down. They were holding me in both of my arms.

"Trying to escape now, my dear?" Alpha Gordon said as he stood in front of me. He grabbed my chin as he forcefully lifted my head so I could look at him. "ver thought you'd be this useful for us,"

As I looked behind him, I saw Annika standing with her arms crossed in front of her chest, a smirk playing on her lips. Beside her is Holt, and worry spreads all over his face,

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But just like the first time, he did nothing to stop his father.

My heart pounded with fear and confusion as the guards roughly seized me, their grip like iron shackles binding me to my fate. I struggled against their grasp, desperation fueling my movements. are doing this? I did

voice

"We'll see about that," one of the guards replied gruffly, his face a mask of indifference. "Bring her in front of Her Majesty," he ordered his comrades.

"My lady!" Elara's voice pierced through the chaos, but the guards held her back, preventing her from coming to my aid.

As they dragged me back toward the palace, my thoughts raced, searching for a way out of this nightmare. But before I could formulate a plan, I heard Annika's voice cutting through the darkness like a knife. You should have said yes when I was still being nice to you, sister, she taunted, her words dripping with malice.

Her cruel laughter echoed in my ears as I was forcibly pulled away, leaving me to wonder what twisted fate awaited me at the hands of Her Majesty.

Will this be the end of me?

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