Betrayed by an Alpha claimed by a Lycan King (Sage and Titus) novel Chapter 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, catching me off guard. 

“Me too, Mom,” Harper chimed in, rubbing her stomach for emphasis. 

I laughed softly, brushing my fingers over their hair. “Come on, 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. 

Some of 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 to me that 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 take me long to understand why. 

“On what grounds?” came a deep, commanding voice–one I had feared I would never hear again. 

A wave of relief crashed over me as 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 to me what 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 same way I did.” 

The elder sputtered, “But, Your Majesty-”