Betrayed by an Alpha claimed by a Lycan King (Sage and Titus) novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88
SAGE
We waited until the moon appeared as we set the rejection ceremony. It wasn’t as formal as it should be, but for the rejection to be valid, it needs to be done in front of the moon as a respect to the Moon Goddess, who blesses us with this sacred mate bond.
“Are you sure about this?” Elara asked while we were in the room waiting for the ceremony.
“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” I replied, forcing a fake smile.
“You can stop pretending now. You don’t have to pretend in front of me,” she encouraged me.
I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “I’m really fine, Elara.” I assured her.
But she scoffed, shaking her head. “You think I didn’t see the way you nearly lost your mind when you thought he might die?”
I took a deep breath. “I don’t want him to die, Elara,” I murmured, almost to myself. “But that doesn’t mean I want him back.” As I said the words, I wondered if they were meant to convince her or soothe the cracks in my own heart. “Besides, once this is over, I can finally leave and have a life away from all this chaos. It’s the freedom I’ve wanted all along, remember?”
Elara eyed me skeptically. “So, you’re really planning on going back to the human world?” she asked, though I sensed she already knew the answer.
“That’s where I belong now,” I said, the words tasting bittersweet on my tongue. “As soon as everything’s in its place again, I’m leaving. It’s what I always wanted.”
Elara leaned forward, scrutinizing me. “If that’s true, then why are you still here? Why put yourself through this? The throne isn’t your problem. Let Titus fight his own battles.”
Her question struck a nerve, one I’d been trying to ignore. “I owe him this much, Elara,” I whispered, the truth seeping through. “It was because of me that he’s even in this mess. If it weren’t for his desire to bring me back to the palace, the Royal Elder and the queen wouldn’t have felt threatened enough to scheme against him.”
Elara sighed, her expression softening with understanding. “Well, if it’s a debt you feel you need to repay, so be it. But know that you’re not alone in this.” She gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Just then, a loud knock on the door echoed through the quiet room, and Scott’s voice called out. “It’s time, Lady Sage. The ceremony is about to begin.”
I steadied myself, feeling the weight of each step as I moved toward the door, to the man who had once held my heart, now ready to cast me aside. And with the moon above as our witness, I was ready to say goodbye.
As I stepped into the open courtyard, the moon hung high above us, bright and indifferent, as though mocking the fractured bonds it had once blessed. Titus stood by the altar, his posture tall and rigid, his face cast in shadows. Anna lingered by his side, a faint smile on her lips, confident and victorious, watching with a silent triumph that made my stomach twist.
Elara and Scott positioned themselves a short distance behind me, their silent support like a comforting presence at my back. I knew they were there for me, that they would stay even after I walked away from this palace, and I drew strength from that as I moved closer to the altar.
Titus’s eyes met mine, steady and detached, so unlike the gaze that once held warmth and laughter. His face was unreadable, carved in stone, a man bent on severing what he no longer remembered.
1/3
90%
Chapter 88
“Let’s get this over with” he said, his tone curt, as if the very act of rejection was a bothersome duty
My heart clenched, but I forced myself to nod. “Yes, let’s get this over with, I mimic, which earns a sharp glare from Titus
Titus stretched his hand in front of me which I willingly accepted. As our hands intertwined, he began the process, his voice steady as he spoke, each word laced with the intent to dissolve the mate bond that had once tethered us. “Under the gaze of the Moon Goddess, 1. Titus Gideon Gallagher, alpha and king of the Black Tronclad Pack, reject you, Sage Penelope Brown, as my mate and wife” His words hung in the air like a cold mist, lingering and painful, each syllable like a strike to my heart.
I felt the physical ache of the rejection-the goddess’s mark of finality on the bond that had once pulsed with warmth anul connection. Every word was a blade, but I refused to let him see the pain. I stood tall, my chin high, meeting his icy stare with as much strength as I could muster.
It was my turn. My voice trembled, but I steadied myself, speaking with all the strength I could muster. “Under the gaze of the Moon Goddess, 1. Sage Penelope Brown, accept your rejection and release you from our bond
The moment the words left my lips, I felt the bond connecting us snap, gripping my heart and twisting it until I could barely stand. The pain shot through my entire body, deep and relentless, and I staggered as though a vital part of myself had just been ripped away. My knees buckled, and I gasped, clutching my chest, desperate to stay standing. It was as if the goddess herself was marking the end of our bond with a scaring, a clear reminder of everything we’d once shared, everything that was now lost.
Across from me, Titus’s face contorted in agony. Though he was an alpha, stronger and more resilient than most, the strain of his recent wounds left him vulnerable. His jaw clenched as he fought against the waves of pain crashing over him; his fists balled so tightly that his knuckles whitened. His eyes were squeezed shut, as if by denying sight, he could also deny the pain. But he couldn’t hide it-his breaths came in ragged gasps, each one more strained than the last. He looked every bit as devastated as I felt.
Elara quickly ran to comfort me. “Sage, how are you feeling? Tell me, how can I help?”
Anna moved forward, panic flaring in her eyes as she reached for him. “My love, you’re bleeding! I’m so worried about you.”
“Now, you’re worried? Whose idea is it again?” Elara said sarcastically.
“Don’t pin this all on me. This is what Titus wanted!” she insisted.
“Yeah, because you insisted,” Elara replied.
“That’s enough,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper but laced with enough conviction to hold Elara back. Every part of me ached, a deep, searing pain radiating from my chest and coursing through every limb. But I forced myself to steady my breath, to find a semblance of calm for their sake. “I’m fine, Elara. I can handle this. Please… take care of his wounds. I’ll be okay.”
Through the fog of my pain, I looked over at Titus. He was on his knees, doubled over as he fought to regain control. His gaze lifted to meet mine, and for a moment, a flicker of confusion crossed his face, as though he couldn’t understand why I’d worry about his condition when I was clearly suffering just as much.
“But Sage-” Elara’s voice wavered, her eyes searching my face, worry etched into every line of her expression.
“Go, Elara,” I insisted, my voice firmer this time. “Tend to him. You need to take care of his wounds as soon as possible.” I` knew if she stayed, she’d only see the raw pain I couldn’t hide, and I didn’t want that.
Reluctantly, she nodded and shifted her focus back to Titus. She and Scott helped him to his feet, guiding his wavering steps toward the cabin. He stumbled, leaning heavily on them; his body weakened not just from his injuries but from the violent rupture of our bond. As they moved, Scott turned back, concern plain on his face.
A weak, reassuring smile tugged at my lips. I gave him a nod, letting him know I’d be alright. “I’ll be back as soon as we settle His Majesty inside, my lady!” Scott called, his voice carrying a blend of worry and loyalty.
2/3
09:09 Mon, Oct 28
Chapter 88
a 90%
I watched them disappear inside the cabin, the door closing with a quiet finality. As the silence fell, I finally let myself crumble, allowing the pain to pour over me.
of
me
I clutched my chest as another wave of pain ripped through me. It was relentless, a torment that left no part untouched. My body trembled, and a cold sweat trickled down my temples. I was desperate for the relief of unconsciousness, to escape this agony, but the searing pain held me captive, refusing to release me even for a second.
I pressed my hands into the dirt, trying to ground myself as waves of pain ripped through me. I could barely feel the cold soil under my fingers, but it was enough to remind me I was still here, still holding on through each painful beat. Every breath hurt, rough and shallow, but I kept breathing, even though it felt like the air was burning me from the inside.
With effort, I looked up at the cabin, where I knew Elara and Scott were helping Titus. Even though our bond was gone, a part of me still felt tied to him and still wanted to protect him. The pain only grew, knowing he was inside, that he’d looked at me with cold eyes, choosing her over me, tearing apart what was left of my heart.
As their image slowly blurred right before my eyes, I felt like I was about to pass out. It seems like the Moon Goddess finally heeded my plea as she allowed me to finally succumb into the darkness of abyss.