Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 133 Ethan, You Are Banished!

**Ethan‘s POV

A stillness fell over the throne room as I walked in. King James looked exhausted, with dark bags under his eyes, and Talon looked distressed. His teeth were gritted together, and I felt like he wanted to tell me something

But I had left Rosalie and my baby to travel a great distance to be here. It was clear that something chaotic was happening as I used a little-known tunnel to make my way into the capital with the men who had accompanied me.

Now, I stood before a group of men who were glaring at me, waiting for the king to answer my question.

“Who doesn’t need to speak unless spoken to?” I asked him. Surely, no one was to speak to Talon in such a disrespectful way

Granted, my Beta was a subordinate, but he’d never been anything but a loyal, respectful soldier for the king.

“Ethan, you’ve returned,” my cousin said, a look of relief washing over him. “And not a moment too soon, I’m afraid.”

*Alpha!” Talon greeted me, although I could tell from his expression that he wished I hadn’t returned.

“What’s going on?” I asked. “Were those villagers running into the capital shouting about enemy soldiers?” It didn’t seem possible. When I‘d left the capital, not long ago, the western forces were miles and miles away. Our army was strong enough to keep them at bay and drive them back with no problem whatsoever.

“I’m afraid so,” James said, dragging a hand down his face. “Everyone, leave Ethan and me. We need to discuss this matter in private.”

Talon, who had started his exit the moment the king made the request, mindlinked me. I could see by the look in his eyes that something was wrong.

A few of the other leaders, ones who thought that they were more important than they truly were, lingered around the throne, possibly thinking they were too critical to the king‘s decision–making to truly need to be dismissed.

“Go at once!” James barked, and everyone filtered out.

Alpha, be on your guard. There’s no time for me to explain, but don‘t trust anything James says to you. Things aren’t what they seem’ Talon said, preparing me for the conversation with the king.

| stared at my Beta for a moment in confusion, wondering what he was getting at. A cold chill went down my spine as I contemplated what it might be that Talon was trying to warn me about. I wished he had more time to prepare me for what was about to happen.

However, he couldn‘t go into more details before the room went silent with only the king and me left.

“What’s happening, James?” | eventually asked, approaching the throne and speaking more bluntly, now that the others had cleared out.

wouldn’t look at me, so I didn’t

his troops off if I comply. Only one.” James let out a sigh and got up from his throne, his footsteps heavy as he walked

be a beautiful flower garden was now trampled by the boots of villagers running for

not been put in an easy position, Ethan,” he said. I kept my distance, watching him, trying

demanding that King James could

I asked even though Talon had prepped me. My voice was quiet as I tried to figure it out on my

I, and yet, here they are…”

only way. But how would they have even

knew the answer to that question. We knew there was a traitor in our midst. And now, I felt certain

my hands on

next took

needed to make sure that someone was here to continue our grandfather’s bloodline, someone who hadn’t taken a mate, someone who hadn’t promised the woman they loved

had to look away quickly, and I stared at

“Before?” I asked him.

can‘t quite understand… none of that matters now. We no longer need to pressure you for an heir. The bloodline will be secure without burdening you.” He turned and met my gaze

are you saying, James?” I asked him.

wide with wonder. “The queen is pregnant. It‘s a miracle. It‘s been confirmed.

he brought this up

this meant for both of us. I took my cousin by the shoulders. “Congratulations, Your Majesty. You‘ll have an heir from your own bloodline, and

for me and Rosalie surfaced. I would no longer need to worry about what the crown required of me. I could go and find her and be with her. We could raise our child together

my joy was short-lived when I saw the expression on James’s face. He slowly shook his head. “No, Ethan. You don’t understand,” he

those words soak into my consciousness. “He wants me?” I repeated. “Why in the

the messenger told me. But you… surely you must know. With all of the investigative work and sleuthing you do as part of your job, you must’ve learned at some point

James faltered. But no…

For all of those years, I’d tried to track Victor’s family down and had been unsuccessful. He had appeared in our land like a ghost, untraceable, like a phantom who had just appeared one day out of the fog. And no matter

Now I knew why.

to trace him from the west to our kingdom. Because it # was known that he was on many

could only mutter,

“You dont

and studied my