Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Chapter 149 Chapter 149 TITUS Q I tried to focus on the mission at hand, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Sage. I could still feel the lingering connection of our mind link, the faint echoes of her pain reachinglike a whisper in the dark. She was probably writhing in agony, the bracelet on her thigh doing exactly what it was meant to do.

Damn stubborn, that woman.

If only she would just listen instead of constantly defying me. She should know by now that running was useless. No matter where she went, 'I would always find her. I always have.

A muscle in my jaw twitched as I clenched my fists. She thought she could leavebehind like I was nothing? Disappear and expectto just let her go? Not a chance.

I wasn't finished with her.

Not until she understood the consequences of her betrayal.

Not until she felt the weight of what she had done.

Not until she learned that no matter how far she ran... she was mine.

"This is the last on the list of illegal activities of the syndicate that we've managed to bring down over the past few years," Beta Scott reported. His voice pulledout of my reverie.

I shook my head as I gave him a curt nod, my gaze fixed on the crumbling warehouse ahead. The air was thick with the scent of rust and decay, mingled with the cold bite of the night breeze. We've spent years dismantling the underground network of human trafficking, magical creature smuggling, and illegal trading. This was the last nest of filth in this city, the final stronghold of those who preyed on the innocent.

Once we clear this place out, we can finally go hand regroup.

"Is everyone in position?" I asked, my tone sharp. "We need to be precise. I victims will have to sacrifice their lives for this." wan Ze casualties on casualties on our side, and no innocent "Yes, Alpha. Everyone is in place. They're only waiting for your signal," Scott replied, his hand resting on the earpiece as he communicated with our pack members surrounding the warehouse.

I took a deep breath, muscles coiled tight with anticipation. "Good. Let's get this over with." I raised my hand, ready to signal the attack when a faint sound pricked at my heightened senses. I stilled, my fingers curling into a fist as I strained to listen.

A child's voice, high-pitched and laced with defiance.

"Get off me! I'm going to tell my dad!" My brows kmitted together. That voice...

"Let my sister go!" Another small voice, this one belonging to a boy, his words punctuated by a soft thud-like a tiny fist hitting something much larger.

I looked intently through the shadows, my wolf senses sharpening. There, near the rear of the warehouse, I caught sight of two small figures struggling against a burly man. They were trying to bring those children inside the warehouse.

70% The girl kicked and thrashed, her dark curls a tangled halo around her face. The boy, though smaller and less steady, still threw punches with all the might his little arms could muster.

My chest tightened as recognition slammed into me. Those two troublemakers. The scoundrels I'd met at the market.

But what the hell were they doing here? "Quit struggling, you little rats!” The man barked, his rough hands squeezing the girl's arm, making her wince. "We are not rats! You're going to regret this when our dad comes to get us!" the little girl yelled, her small voice laced with a courage that belied the fear evident in her trembling frame. Her tiny fists were balled up, knuckles white as she clung to her brother, who was equally defiant despite the dirt smudged on his cheeks and the fear pooling in his wide eyes.

A low growl rumbled deep within my chest, the sound primal and raw. It vibrated through my bones, clawing at the edges of my control. My vision edged with red, and I felt my wolf stir beneath the surface, pacing, pushing, demanding blood.

I didn't know these kids. I had no clue who their father was or why they were here, caught in the clutches of these monsters. But none of that mattered. All I saw was the terror etched on their faces, the way their small bodies shook as they tried to stand strong.

Something dark and dangerous unfurled inside me. It wasn't just anger-it was a need to protect, to destroy anyone who dared lay a hand on them. The kind of need that could only be satisfied with blood and bone. My claws extended, sharp and ready. My wolf was dangerously close to the surface, my control hanging by a thread. It would take only a whisper of a reason to unleash him.

And those bastards had givenmore than enough reason.

"Alpha," Beta Scott's voice crackled through the earpiece, laced with concern. "Your orders?" I sucked in a breath, forcing my human side to the forefront. "Proceed to the initial plan with caution. I'll take care of the kids," I said, my voice colder than ice.

As soon as I gave the signal, my pack moved quickly and quietly like shadows in the night. They slipped into the warehouse, each of them knowing exactly what to do. Every step they took was sharp and deadly, like a well- practiced dance. I could hear the muffled sounds of fighting and the sickening crunch of bones breaking, but I didn't pause to watch. My mind was set on one thing-getting those kids to safety.

I moved through the chaos, dodging guards before they even noticed me. One man charged atwith a rusty pipe, but I ducked under his swing and slashed him across the chest with my claws. He dropped to the ground, and I didn't waste a second looking back. I had to keep moving, pushing deeper into the maze of crates and clutter.

I could hear the kids' voices, small but steady, guidingthrough the mess.

"Let us go!" the little girl shouted, her voice rough but still strong "Yeah, you'll be sorry! Our dad's going to get you!" The boy added, trying to sound tough even though I could hear the fear in his voice.

I rounded a corner and saw them-two small kids huddled together, surrounded by three men. The men were too busy taunting the kids to noticecreeping up on them. My wolf stirred inside me, a low growl rumbling in my chest.

One of the men grabbed the girl's arm, his fingers digging into her skin. “Shut up, you little- He didn't get to finish. I was on him in a flash. My claws tore into his shoulder, and he let out a scream that was cut off when I slammed him into a metal beam. Blood splattered around us, but I didn't care.

The other two men turned to face me, their eyes going wide when they saw my furious expression. One of them pulled out a knife, but his hand was shaking so hard the blade wobbled.

"Leave," I growled, my voice low and dangerous. "Or die." They didn't need to be told twice. The knife dropped to the ground as they turned and ran, their footsteps echoing as they disappeared into the chaos.

I slowly turned to the kids. They looked up at me, their eyes wide with fear, holding onto each other so tight their knuckles turned white.

I crouched down, trying to make myself seem less scary. "Hey," I said softly. "You're safe now." The girl hesitated, her mouth opening like she wanted to say something, but she was too scared. The boy, braver than he looked, took a shaky step forward. "What are you?" I was filled with rage that I didn't think about what they would feel when they sawin my lycan form. I was lost for words. I don't know how to explain to them what they saw. I was about to open my mouth when she suddenly spoke.

"Are you a superhero?" I let out a soft chuckle, trying to ease the fear I saw in their eyes. "Yes, I am," I said gently. "I'm here to help." The boy, braver than he looked, held my gaze. "Can you take us to our mom?" A strange warmth spread through my chest, a feeling I wasn't quite used to. "Yeah, kid," I murmured. "I can do that." His eyes, wide and hopeful, searched my face. "Do you know where my mom is?” I hesitated, confusion prickling at the back of my mind. "Is she not at your house?"

The girl, Harper, shook her head. "No, she's not. She's been missing for m weeks. We heard about these bad people who take and sell others as slaves, so we followed them. We thought they might have our mom."

A mix of shock and anger twisted inside me. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?!"snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. What I kind of mother would leave her kids alone, forcing them to chase down slavers on their own? Cooper, the boy, puffed up his chest, his small hands balling into fists. "We can handle ourselves!" he insisted.

I raised an eyebrow, my expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "Really?" My tone made it clear I wasn't buying it.

They exchanged a quick glance, and Harper's bravado faltered. She clutched her brother's hand tighter, her lower lip trembling.

My irritation softened, replaced by a pang of sympathy. These kids had more guts than most adults I knew. But they still just kids-scared, lost, and clinging to the hope of finding their mom.

I knelt to their level, keeping my voice gentle. "I know you're strong. Braver than a lot of people, even. But this isn't something you should have to face alone." Were Cooper's shoulders slumped, the weight of his worries pressing down on him. "We just... we need our mom," he whispered, his voice small and broken.

My chest tightened, and I reached out, resting a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her. I promise. But since it's late, how about you cwithfor now?" They both looked at each other and then looked at ine at once before they nodded in unison. I smiled watching those beautiful smiles spread on their lips. Their smile remindedof someone.

3/4

When we finally reached the temporary house, I gently set Cooper and Harper down. They clung to my hands, theinsmall fingers wrapped tightly around mine as if I might E disappear if they let go. My pack had already secured the perimeter, ensuring our safe return. Beta Scott approached, his expression a mix of relief and caution. "Alpha, everything's clear. The rest of the syndicate members are being transported to the authorities." "Good," I nodded. "Make sure the kids get something to eat and rest. They've been through enough." Scott's eyes softened when he looked at the children. "Of course. Con, little ones. Let's get you sfood." Harper hesitated, her big eyes darting betweenand Beta Scott. "Will you ctoo?" "I'll be right behind you," I assured her. “I just need to check something first.” She nodded slowly, allowing Scott to guide them into the house. The door closed behind them, leavingalone on the porch. I took a steadying breath, letting the cool evening air fill my lungs.

I went straight to Sage's room only to find it empty. It tooksoon enough to realize that Sage hasn't cyet. "That stubborn woman!" I hissed under my breath.