SWNOVELS Chapter Betryed 96
10:24 Sur NOV
Kiss
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Chapter 96
SAGE
I marched forward, each step heavy, with Titus keeping his distance just behind me as we made our way back to the cabin. He hadn't said a word since the heated exchange outside, and I was grateful for the silence. Every step felt like an attempt to shake off the tension lingering between us, but it clung to me, following me as persistently as he did. Finally, the familiar sight of the cabin lights came into view, casting a soft glow in the darkness.
Relief washed over me upon seeing the dimly lit cabin. It meant the others were already asleep, which would help avoid any awkward questions. My hair was still damp, clinging to my shoulders, and Titus was just as drenched. Anyone seeing us like this would immediately jump to the wrong conclusions, not that it was entirely wrong since something really did happen
between us.
As we reached the doorstep, I stopped abruptly, forcing myself to turn and face him. I hadn't realized he was so close until I looked up and found him right there, his gaze intense, his jaw clenched as if he were barely holding himself together. I cleared my throat, summoning what was left of my composure.
"We're both clear on this, right?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "We're not going to mention anything that happened tonight."
He didn't answer immediately. His eyes held mine with a dark, unreadable intensity, his silence only deepening the tension between us. I waited for some kind of confirmation, but he simply stood there, jaw clenched as if wrestling with words he wouldn't speak. I wanted to insist, to demand a response, but a faint sound from inside the cabin pulled my attention.
Lglanced back at the door, my heart racing at the thought that someone might be waiting on the other side. Taking a breath, I reached for the handle and pushed it open gently, trying not to make a sound. I felt like a kid sneaking back home after a night out, hoping to slip in unnoticed.
The room was dimly lit, soft shadows cast by the lights from the kitchen. I tiptoed through the living room, my steps quiet as I tried to avoid creaking floorboards. Just when I thought I'd made it, Elara's voice broke the silence, sharp and unmistakable.
"What are you doing?" she asked, flipping on the living room light, illuminating the room.
I froze, blinking against the sudden brightness. There she was, standing in the center of the room with her arms crossed over her chest, eyebrows arched in suspicion as she took in my damp, disheveled state. Scott was standing right beside her. He was flushed, and his lips were swollen, as was Elara.
I managed a tight smile, though I was certain my face betrayed my nerves. "Oh, hey, Elara," I said, trying to keep my voice casual, though I knew my appearance was far from innocent.
Her gaze flickered past me, and I knew she'd noticed Titus standing by the door, his soaked clothes clinging to him. She looked back at me, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if piecing together what she assumed had happened. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but I had a sinking feeling that no explanation would be convincing enough.
"Where have you two been?" Elara asked, her voice sharp, like she was waiting for us to slip up.
the way
back." I forced a casual shrug, trying to keep my expression steady. "I went for a swim," I said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to be out by the lake so late at night. "Titus and I just ran into each other.
on
Elara's skeptical look told me she wasn't buying it. She eyed us both, her gaze lingering on the damp strands of my hair and the soaked clothes that clung to us. Every glance felt like it was peeling away the thin layers of my lie.
Before Elara could press any further, Scott interjected, "Alpha, Lady Anna was looking for you," he informed Titus. "She's waiting in your room."
Titus's response was quick, almost too eager. "I'll see her now. Thank you, Scott."
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10:24 Sun, Nov 10 Chapter 96
A bitter taste filled my mouth at his words. Just moments ago, he'd had his hands on me, his lips tracing every line of my skin. Now, his first priority was to rush to Anna's side. I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes. It was painfully clear where his heart-and his loyalty-truly lay.
As Titus reached for his door, it swung open before he even had the chance to knock. Anna, her face bright and eager, threw herself into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck. Her delighted squeal filled the room as she pressed her lips to his without a care for the rest of us watching.
"Titus! I missed you! Where have you been?" She asked, her voice brimming with excitement, her arms clinging to him like he was all she'd ever wanted.
I fought the urge to gag at the sight. My jaw clenched as I watched her look up at him with adoration while he wore an expression as if nothing was wrong, as if everything was perfect. Her gaze shifted then, and her eyes fell on me, her expression darkening slightly as she took in my wet hair and damp clothes. I could practically see the questions forming in her mind, each one waiting to tumble out. She looked back at Titus, as though waiting for an explanation, for something that would assure her of her place in his life.
I knew I didn't have the energy to stand there, waiting for her to start prying into why both of us looked like we'd been through a storm together. I turned on my heel, swallowing down the storm of emotions swirling inside me, and made my way toward my room. I didn't need to wait around to see them together.
I could feel their eyes on me as I made my way up to my room. I didn't look back. I don't think I'd be able to handle watching Titus and Anna as they made out as if they couldn't get their hands off of each other.
As soon as I closed the door behind me, I exhaled deeply, grateful to finally be alone. My hands trembled as I peeled off my damp clothes, as if shedding them could also strip away the memories of Titus's hands on me, his lips, the ache of his unexpected mark. But just as I tugged my shirt over my head, the door swung open without a warning.
I spun around, startled. "What the hell!" I shouted, heart pounding. Relief washed over me when I saw Elara standing there, but I couldn't hide my irritation. "Don't you know how to knock?"
Elara just raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Relax. It's just me. Besides, I have a good reason for barging in." Her gaze dropped to my shoulder, and I felt a rush of heat rise in my cheeks. "So, are you going to tell me what happened between you and Alpha Titus?" "Nothing happened, Elara," I said quickly, hoping to end the conversation before it started.
But she just gave me that knowing smirk, the kind that said she wasn't buying a word of it. "Right. Nothing at all," she drawled. Her gaze lingered pointedly on my shoulder. "Are you going to tell me that isn't what I think it is?"
I swallowed, instinctively pulling my hand over the fresh mark. It's not..." I muttered, though the lie felt flimsy even to my
own ears.
Elara's smile widened, and she crossed her arms, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Let me get this straight. The Alpha who just rejected you marked you again?" she asked, incredulous.
I let out a sigh of frustration, realizing I wasn't going to escape this. "He did," I admitted, defeated. "But I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything to anyone about it. Especially Scott."
Elara's eyes widened, and she crossed her arms even tighter, a defensive stance I hadn't seen from her often. "Scott?" she repeated, sounding genuinely offended, though her face betrayed a flicker of something else. "Why on earth would I tell him about any of this?" I tilted my head, arching a skeptical eyebrow. "Come on, Elara. Are you seriously telling me there's nothing going on between
you
two?"
Her eyes narrowed, her cheeks flushing a shade darker. "There's nothing going on!" she exclaimed, her voice a touch too high-pitched, too quick.
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Chapter 96
"Uh-huh," I replied, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, as I gave her an amused, knowing look. "Funny, because you two looked pretty flushed when we came in tonight. Or was imagining that?"
Elara's mouth opened, but no words came out, her face turning an even brighter shade of red as she sputtered, clearly caught off guard. She struggled for a second, finally managing, "That was... just from training! He's just... intense, you know?"
up,
I couldn't help but laugh at her transparent attempt to dodge. She was flustered, and though she tried to cover it she only ended up looking more obvious. "Oh, sure. Training. Because you two always look like that after a regular sparring session, right?"
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but her blush deepened, her posture faltering for just a moment before she muttered, "You're one to talk."
"Touché," I admitted, shrugging. "But, just saying...you don't fool me. Maybe you and Scott aren't as 'nothing' as you think."
She shot me a look, huffing in frustration. "Okay, fine, believe what you want. But I did come in here to talk about you, not me."
"Sure," I said, giving her a teasing smile as I finally let her off the hook. "But don't think you're going to get away that easily next time."
She rolled her eyes, but I could see the hint of a smile tugging at her lips as she shook her head at me.
Elara took a deep breath, regaining her usual composure, though the slight pink still lingered in her cheeks. She crossed her arms, giving me a look that was a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Anyway, back to you," she said pointedly. "Are you going to tell me what's really going on with you and Alpha Titus?
I sighed, running a hand through my damp hair as I slumped down onto the edge of my bed. "There's nothing to tell, Elara. Honestly, I wish there was... or maybe I don't. I don't even know anymore."
Elara watched me with a sympathetic frown, sitting beside me. You can't keep denying it, Sage. He marked you again. That means something, doesn't it? Maybe, somehow, he remembers you."
I shook my head, staring at my hands. "I don't know what it means," I whispered. "It happened so fast... one moment, he's acting like I'm nothing, and the next, he's pulling me close, saying things that make no sense." I looked up, meeting her gaze. "I feel like I'm caught in some horrible, twisted game. One minute he's with Anna, making it clear he doesn't want me, and the next... he's doing this."
Elara's gaze softened, and she put a hand on my shoulder. "Maybe he's confused. But you don't have to let yourself get hurt in the process. You deserve better than to be someone's second choice."
Her words hit me hard, and I could feel the tightness in my chest as I fought to hold back tears. "I know, Elara. But it's like... even when I tell myself that, part of me still feels bound to him. And now, with this mark, it's just even more complicated." I glanced at her, my voice barely a whisper. "I don't know how to let him go."
Elara squeezed my shoulder. "If he truly wants you, he'll have to make it clear. And if he can't... then maybe it's time to figure out what you want, Sage. Without him clouding everything."
I swallowed, her words settling heavily in my mind. For so long, I'd let myself get wrapped up in the chaos of his mixed signals, my emotions tied to his every word, his every move. But what if Elara was right? What if it was time to start finding my way out of his shadow?
о
"You're right," I murmured, giving her a grateful smile. "Do you think you can find a way to remove the mark? Maybe there's something about it in your book."
I haven't heard of anything like that. But I'll try to look into it," she replied.
"Thanks, Elara
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Chapter 96
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She gave me a reassuring smile before leaving the room. This mark will only complicate things between us. Elara was right. I can settle with
Someone who only takes me as a second choice.
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