Betrayed by an alpha claimed by a lycan king

Betryed 173 Chapter 173 SAGE 11 "I must say, they truly surpassed their father's legacy. They were the youngest and fastest heirs to conquer the Labyrinth of Truth," Scott admitted, unable to hide the pride and admiration in his voice.

Harper beamed up at him, her once childlike features now sharper, her eyes filled with wisdom far beyond her years. "We did great, right, Uncle Scott?" Scott blinked. "Uncle?" A chuckle rumbled from his chest, caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief. He turned to me, silently asking if I was truly okay with it.

1 smiled. "You and Titus were practically brothers. I don't see anything wrong with them calling you that." Scott exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly, but the fondness in his expression was undeniable. "Mom, I'm hungry," Cooper suddenly said, his voice deeper than before, catchingoff guard.

too, Mom," Harper chimed in, rubbing her stomach for emphasis.

I laughed softly, brushing my fingers over their hair. "Con, guys. I'll prepare something for both of you." But before we could take another step, a group of guards moved into formation, blocking our path.

I frowned. "What is the meaning of this?" One of the guards hesitated before stepping forward. "I apologize, my lady. But the children-" His gaze darted to Harper and Cooper, who had entered the labyrinth as young children and emerged as adolescents. His uncertainty was evident as he struggled to find the right words. "...They are not permitted to leave without the elders' approval." My jaw tightened. "It's not our fault the elders weren't here when the trial ended. The labyrinth has spoken. The trial is over. Now, step aside and let us pass." The guard looked genuinely torn but remained firm. "I'm truly sorry, my lady. We are only following orders." I clenched my fists. Frustration burned hot inside me. The trial was over, my children had proven themselves, and yet- there was always another hurdle, another battle to fight.

Scott exhaled sharply. "This is ridiculous! Step aside before anyone gets hurt!" Before I could respond, Harper stepped forward, lifting her chin. "Fine. Then summon the elders," she commanded, her voice calm yet laced with quiet authority.

For a moment, I saw a glimpse of her father in her-the commanding presence, the unwavering confidence. The guards exchanged uncertain glances, clearly caught off guard.

Scott crossed his arms, smirking slightly. "You heard the princess. Summon the elders." The guards hesitated only a second longer before one of them hurried off.

As I watched my daughter stand her ground, I realized something.

She wasn't a child anymore.

None of them were.

We waited until the elders finally arrived. The heavy doors swung open, and the elders filed in, their faces tight with skepticism. It was obvious that they were using this opportunity to shake the throne. With the king unconscious, they were basically the ones running the show. And it seems like they have no intention of giving the power back now that they get a taste of it.

One of the elders, a wiry man with deep frown lines etched into his face, stepped forward. His sharp gaze settled on Harper and Cooper. "This is impossible. Mere children cannot age years within days," Harper tilted her head slightly. "Yet here we stand," she said, her voice smooth but firm. "Are you saying the Labyrinth of Truth is mistaken?" A ripple of unease passed through the room. The labyrinth was sacred. No one had ever dared to question its trials.

The whole place erupted into murmurs at what Harper said. They couldn't believe that a child like Harper could stand up for herself in front of the elders.

"This has never happened before! Who knows what chaos these children might cause?" One elder shouted, slamming his hand against the armrest of his chair. "We must hold them until we are certain they are not a danger to our kind!" The words sent a chilling wave of anger through me. Hold them? As if Harper and Cooper were criminals rather than the rightful heirs of the throne.

"This is absurd!" I exclaimed, stepping protectively in front of my children. My fists trembled at my sides as I fought the urge to shift right then and there. "What excuses are you going to use against them next? Will you accuse them of witchcraft? Treason? Or will you fabricate another lie just to keep them from claiming what is rightfully theirs?" The elders stiffened, clearly not expecting such defiance.

"The Labyrinth does not lie," I pressed on, my voice cutting through the tense air like a blade. "It has never erred in revealing the truth. Are you now questioning the very traditions you have sworn to uphold?" Silence stretched over the chamber.

Sof the elders avoided my gaze, while others exchanged hesitant glances. They wanted to keep fighting, but had cornered them.

my words Then, Harper stepped forward, her chin raised high, her presence commanding far beyond her years. "If we were truly a threat, the Labyrinth would have never let us leave. You all know that." Cooper followed suit, his voice steady despite the fire in his golden eyes. "We passed your test. We proved our right. And yet, you still refuse to accept us. Tell me, what are you so afraid of?" The eldest among the council narrowed his gaze at the twins but remained quiet. He had no answer.

The tension in the room thickened, the weight of the twins' words settling over the gathered elders like an unshakable storm cloud. Murmurs rippled through the council, uncertainty flashing across their wrinkled faces. Harper took another step forward, her voice unwavering. "The Labyrinth of Truth doesn't make mistakes. It judged us worthy. If you still doubt us, then maybe the real problem isn't us." A sharp breath echoed through the hall. A few of the younger council members shifted uncomfortably, exchanging hesitant glances.

Cooper crossed his arms, his stance unwavering. "Our father fought for this kingdom, bled for it. And now, we stand here, proving that we belong. If you still refuse to acknowledge us, then maybe it's not the throne you're trying to protect- but your own power." "How dare you talk to us like that?! We've been here long before you, child! We are not going to allow you to disrespect us! Seize them!" the elders ordered.

At this moment, it was clear tothat they were clearly against the twins because they wanted the throne for themselves.

I stood in front of my children; I was ready to fight for them. I will not let them have their way. I already made a mistake in allowing them to force my children to go under an impossible test. I will not let them imprison my children.

"What are you all waiting for? Seize them and lock them away!" the lead elder barked.

Yet, not a single guard moved. They remained frozen in place, their faces pale, as if they had just witnessed something beyond comprehension.

It didn't takelong to understand why.

"On what grounds?" ca deep, commanding voice-one I had feared I would never hear again.

A wave of relief crashed overas my gaze landed on Titus. He stood tall and steady, no longer the unconscious man I had helplessly watched over. The council members stiffened, their arrogance crumbling in an instant. "Y-Your Majesty..." one of them stammered, struggling to find his voice. Titus's piercing gaze swept across the room as he strode forward with the effortless authority of a king reclaiming his throne.

"Would someone care to explain towhat exactly is going on here?" His tone was calm, yet laced with an undeniable edge of warning.

The lead elder visibly swallowed, his authority wavering under the piercing gaze of the newly arrived king. The council members exchanged nervous glances, clearly unsettled by Titus's unexpected presence.

Titus' icy blue eyes swept over the room, sharp and unyielding. His towering figure moved with the quiet power of a ruler who had faced countless battles and won. He stopped beside me, his warmth radiating like a protective shield.

I exhaled shakily, still reeling from the sudden turn of events. He was awake. He was here.

"Your Majesty," the lead elder finally found his voice, though it wavered slightly. "We were merely ensuring the safety of the kingdom. T-These children are an anomaly. Their sudden growth and their abilities; it was clearly caused by dark forbidden magic! We cannot risk the stability of our rule by allowing uncertainty to take the throne." Titus tilted his head, his lips curving into something between amusement and disdain. "Anomaly?" He turned his gaze toward Harper and Cooper, who stood tall despite the tension in the room. "How dare you call my children mere anomalies? They walked the Labyrinth of Truth, a sacred trial that has never erred. They passed. The sway I did." The elder sputtered, "But, Your Majesty-" "Enough." The single word cut through the room like a blade, silencing any further protest.

Titus stepped forward, his gaze locking onto each member of the council. "I have woken up to a kingdom filled with doubt and treachery. And now, I find my own flesh and blood standing trial before the very people who should be protecting them." His voice hardened. "Tell me, council, what exactly have I missed during my slumber?" No one spoke.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken fear. The guards, who moments ago had hesitated to follow the elders' orders, now stood even more rigid, unwilling to act against their king.

Titus took another step forward, his presence suffocating in its dominance. "You claim to act in the kingdom's best interest. Yet, ve all see are men too afraid of power that does not belong to them." His voice dropped lower, more dangerous. "You sought to imprison my children? My heirs?" He let the words sink in, his power crackling in the air like a brewing storm. Chapter 173 The lead elder clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around his robes. "We were only "Silence!" Titus's voice was pure command. "I will hear no more of this treachery.

The next person who dares question the legitimacy of my heirs will answer todirectly." "I'm afraid we can't do that, Your Majesty. It is our duty to protect the kingdom and ensure its stability-" The elder's words were cut short.

A sickening sound filled the room-a swift, clean slice through flesh and bone. A heartbeat later, his severed head hit the cold marble floor with a dull thud, rolling tifelessly until it stopped at the feet of the other council members. Gasps of horror echoed through the chamber. Sof the elders stumbled back, their faces draining of color, while others stood frozen in shock. Blood pooled around the fallen body, staining the pristine floor beneath it. My breath hitched, my stomach twisting violently.

Without thinking, I moved. My hands flew up, shielding Harper's and Cooper's eyes before they could fully process the gruessight before them. My heart pounded against my ribs, fear laced with a desperate need to protect them from this brutality.

Titus hadn't even drawn his sword. He merely stood there, his expression unreadable, his power palpable in the air. But I knew the truth-he hadn't needed a weapon.

The execution had been instant, effortless.

And merciless.

"Let this be a lesson," Titus spoke, his voice steady, yet carrying the weight of an unshakable force. "Nobody dares to put my children's lives in danger. Causing them harm is considered treason and will have to face death as their punishment.

I hope I made myself clear." The remaining elders flinched, their bodies rigid with terror. No one dared to speak. No one dared to move.

Then, slowly, one by one, the elders bowed their heads. The guards shifted uncomfortably before lowering their weapons. I turned to dn't see what they Harper and Cooper. I couldn't see fear in their eyes despite just witnessed. Their eyes burned with quiet determination, their hands still tightly clasped together. They were truly brave and strong, just like their father. Titus turned toward them, his expression softening just enough for only us to notice. "Chere," he murmured. Without hesitation, the twins stepped forward. Titus placed a firm hand on each of their shoulders, his voice filled with unwavering certainty. "They are my children. They are your future rulers. And anyone who stands against them... stands against me."