Chapter 109


    SAGE


    The journey ahead felt heavier than I expected, and it wasn''t because of the terrain. Kieran, the hunter, took the lead, guiding us through winding roads that grew narrower as we neared the mountain. Eventually, we had to park the car at the base, where three horses were waiting for us.


    I should have known this wouldn''t be simple. With only three horses, pairing up was inevitable. Titus paired with Anna, his hand on her waist as he helped her onto the horse. My stomach tightened as I watched them-he was so gentle with her, so attentive. I hated the pang of jealousy that crept into my chest, but it was there, gnawing at me all the same.


    Scott and ra took the second horse, their easy banter a sharp contrast to the storm brewing inside me. That left me with Kieran.


    "Guess it''s you and me, littledy," Kieran said, offering me his hand with a yful grin.


    I hesitated, my eyes flickering toward Titus. His gaze was fixed on us, dark and smoldering, jealousy rolling off him in waves. His jaw was clenched so tight I thought he might crack a tooth.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me," he muttered, loud enough for me to hear but not directed at anyone in particr.


    Kieran chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the tension. "Rx, Alpha.


    I''ll keep her safe, he said, his tone dripping with mockery as he mounted the horse and reached out to help me up.


    I swallowed hard, not sure if the fire in Titus'' eyes was going to ignite into an actual fight. Ignoring him was impossible, but I couldn''t let his reaction dictate everything. Taking Kieran''s hand, I climbed onto the horse behind him.


    The ride was awkward, to say the least. I could feel Titus'' eyes burning into my back the entire time, even as he rode ahead with Anna. She seemed to bask in his attention, herughter carrying on the wind. Each giggle made my heart clench tighter.


    Kieran must have sensed my tension because he leaned back slightly and whispered, "Jealousy suits him, don''t you think?"


    "Don''t push it," I snapped, but my voicecked bite. I hated how easily he could read the situation, how amused he seemed by it all.


    The trail grew steeper, the dense forest around us swallowing the sounds of our journey. I tried to focus on the mission, on the task ahead, but my emotions kept pulling me in different directions.


    Titus'' protectiveness over Anna. His anger at Kieran. The way he barely even looked at me afterst night.


    And then there was Kieran, his calm demeanor hiding the danger he represented and the secret deal hanging between us like a weight I couldn''t shake.


    I exhaled a shaky breath and tightened my grip on the saddle, willing myself to focus. This wasn''t the time to let emotions take over, not when so much was at stake.


    But as I caught another nce of Titus helping Anna adjust her position on their horse, a pang of bitterness twisted in my chest.


    The path became narrower as we climbed higher, forcing the horses to slow down. Kieran seemedpletely at ease, whistling a low tune as if he didn''t have a care in the world. Meanwhile, I felt like I was walking a tightrope, bncing my own emotions while trying to ignore the tension radiating from Titus.


    "Not much of a talker, are you?" Kieran broke the silence, ncing over his shoulder at me with a smirk.


    "I don''t feel like talking," I replied tly, tightening my grip on the saddle as the horse navigated a rocky patch.


    "Suit yourself," he said with a shrug, his toneced with amusement. "But you might want to loosen up. You''re stiff as a board back there."


    "I''m fine," I muttered, but the truth was, every muscle in my body was tense. I couldn''t shake the feeling of Titus'' piercing gaze every time I nced his way.


    Up ahead, Anna''sughter broke the quiet again. I tried to tune it out, focusing on the steady rhythm of the horse''s hooves against the dirt. But it was hard when I saw Titus leaning toward her, murmuring something that made her smile.


    I gritted my teeth, the jealousy simmering beneath the surface threatening to boil over.


    "Looks like someone''s jealous here," Kieran whispered, his voice low enough for only me to hear.


    "Mind your own business" I snapped, my tone sharper than I intended.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Kieranughed softly, but he didn''t press further. For a moment, silence settled over us again, broken only by the sounds of the forest around us.


    When we reached a clearing, Titus brought his horse to a stop and dismounted, helping Anna down with practiced ease. The sight made my stomach twist, but I forced myself to look away, sliding off the horse with Kieran''s help.


    Titus walked over calmly, but his eyes told a different story. They were dark and stormy, revealing the turmoil he was trying to hide.


    He stopped a few steps away and gave Kieran a sharp look.


    "Kieran, why don''t you scout ahead?" he said, his tone firm and leaving no room for argument.


    Kieran raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, but didn''t argue. "Sure thing, Alpha," he replied smoothly, a hint of mischief in his voice.


    I shifted in the saddle, ready to get down by myself, when Titus moved closer and held out his hands to help me. His silent offer made me hesitate, confusion twisting in my chest stared at him, unsure. epting his hand meant feeling his touch, and that was thest thing I needed right now. My emotions were already all over the ce.


    Before I could decide, Kieran hopped off the horse with ease and turned back to me. He extended his hand with a casual grin, his teasing energy as present as ever.


    Now I was stuck between the two of them-Titus, stiff and brooding, and Kieran,id-back and yful, both waiting for me to make a choice.


    My heart pounded, and I could feel Titus''s intense gaze burning into me, but I forced myself to look away. I didn''t want this tension, didn''t want to let things escte. So, I made the easier choice.


    I ced my hands on Kieran''s shoulder and leaned forward, letting him help me down. He ced both of his hands on my waist. His grip was steady but didn''t carry the weight of the emotions I was tryingto avoid. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I could feel the heat of Titus''s re, his silent anger filling the space between us.


    Kieran, either unaware of Titus''s fury or just enjoying it, gave me a cheeky grin. "See? Easy as pie, he said, brushing his hands off dramatically.


    I nodded at him politely, but my attention remained on Titus. His jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like he might crack a tooth, and the tension in his eyes seemed to grow darker with every second.


    I straightened my shoulders and turned away, refusing to feed into the unspoken battle. If Titus wanted to stew in his jealousy, that was his problem. I had enough emotions of my own to deal with without taking on his too. Kieran then mounted his horse once again before he proceeded to scout the area to make sure it''s safe for us.


    As soon as he was out of earshot, Titus turned his attention to me.


    "You really think riding with him was a good idea?" he asked, his voice low butced with tension.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "It wasn''t exactly my choice," I shot back, crossing my arms.


    His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to argue. But instead, he took a step closer, his gaze locking onto


    mine. "You''re ying with fire, Sage," he said softly, the warning in his voice unmistakable.


    "Funny," I replied, forcing a calm I didn''t feel. "I was about to say the same thing to you."


    His eyes darkened, the space between us crackling with unspoken words. Before either of us could say more, Kieran had alreadye back.


    "The coast is clear!" he announced.


    "We should keep moving," Scott said, ncing between us with a knowing look.


    Titus stepped back, his expression unreadable as he turned to help Anna back onto the horse. I bit the inside of my cheek, swallowing the words I wanted to say.


    *******