Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 131: At Your Service

“Come with me. I have something for you before you return to His Majesty. It might help,” Alpha Ellsworth said, motioning for me to follow him.

He led me to his office, where I’d first met him. I stood near the door while he rummaged through his desk drawers. For a few minutes, I thought he was just trying to get me alone to tell me how he really felt about the trick Brook and I had played.

“Ahh, here it is. I think this might help against Luther,” he handed me a photo from across his desk.

I examined the picture closely. There was a girl about four or five years old in the picture. She had pigtails tied with pink ribbons and was wearing a little sundress. Her face was bright with a big smile.

Beside her was a young boy, maybe about ten years old. He had a goofy grin and large feet. He looked lanky and awkward, like he hadn’t fully grown into himself, but he looked familiar.

“Who are they?”

“That’s Luther at age eight and his younger sister when she was only four. Anna, his sister, died tragically when she was eight and when Luther was twelve,’ he explained.

“That’s… truly awful. I don’t understand how this could help. Do you think Luther is sentimental?” I asked, turning the photo back toward Ellsworth.

“My wife’s sister worked in the Ortiz pack, before their demise. She took that picture. Unfortunately, when Luther lost his pack and loved ones, especially his sister, he went crazy with a need for revenge.”

“Luther… is also a victim,’ I whispered, placing my hand over my heart. “I knew he lost a lot when Sebastian destroyed his pack…’

“Unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it.”

“What do you mean?’ My heart tightened in my chest. What could possibly be worse than Sebastian murdering all of Luther’s family, including his eight-year-old sister.

“When Sebastian attacked the Ortiz pack, Luther was only twelve years old. He tried to stand up to Sebastian after most of the warriors were killed. Sebastian thought it was funny and made a deal with Luther. If he killed his eight-year-old sister, with his own hand, Sebastian would leave the rest of Ortiz alone,’ Ellsworth told me.

My jaw dropped and I stared at him. That was the cruelest thing I’d ever heard! I knew Sebastian was ruthless and cruel but I couldn’t think of something more horrid. He had made a murderous deal with a child, one that twelve-year-old Luther couldn’t possibly understand. And, true to form, he chose the meanest way to punish Luther.

“Luther, thinking of his pack, did what Sebastian ordered of him. The way he saw it, sacrificing his sister would save the pack. Well, we all know Sebastian isn’t known for keeping his word.” Alpha Ellsworth’s voice dropped into a deep, low whisper, almost like he was too afraid to speak the words aloud.

“Don’t tell me…” I gasped.

“That’s right. Sebastian didn’t keep his word and he wiped out the rest of the Ortiz pack. Of course, he left Luther alive to live with the horrible decision he was forced to make. Luther has been twisted ever since,* he sighed heavily.

No wonder Luther wanted revenge!

If I were him, I probably would also commit the rest of my life to hunting down the cruel king and his crown!

***

*Theo*

When Luther’s Shadow warriors were on the move, I had my scouts keep tabs on them. They were heading toward a valley near the palace. I wanted to cut them off before they got too close and caused any real damage.

assembled on the opposite side of the valley, waiting for Luther’s Shadow to

headed to the center of the valley. I held an arm up to my warriors and I joined Luther

to determine who is truly the right match for the

don’t want to

one could

feeling a little down? I don’t see Ciana anywhere, did she finally come to her

I knew that Ciana hadn’t abandoned me but Luther wasn’t wrong about Maggie and

doomed. Today, the Goddess will finally bring justice to the world,” he boomed,

troops whooped and cheered at

I am working with the royal court to make up for all

with an army?” Luther countered, snarling

authority to judge me. You have no right to determine

joined us in the valley with two of my subordinates, Axel and Silas. He glared at Luther and stood

to attack. They are just waiting for your word,”

worried. “Beta Jake, we are outnumbered.

the best trained warriors in the country. One of ours could fight five of theirs,” Jake

Axel muttered, shoving

they do. If we wait too much longer, more reinforcements could arrive and tip the scales in Luther’s

to stop

glanced at me and arched an eyebrow. He opened his mouth and then closed it, hesitating over whatever was on

“Spill it,” I growled.

Larry and Alpha

Alphas of the western region?’ I clarified, raising an

or Luther. Several packs seem to be soldiering on altering their support based on who is more likely to win. At the end of the war, they want to be on the side of the

assume it will be Luther?” I

on the numbers, they are starting to. If more reinforcements arrive, our

a bloodthirsty tyrant who will kill for no reason. If I make the first move, we’ll be doing exactly what Luther wants,” I explained. “It will confirm everyone’s fears. Even if we win the battle, it

if we lose or do nothing, Luther will be sitting on that

I’m not convinced this day will end in a battle. In fact, I want to avoid the war altogether. It doesn’t matter who wins or loses, there will be thousands of casualties, and that is not what I want for

like a true king,” Jake

to show him how appreciative I was that he

shouted to our group, “Plotting the fastest way to kill all

“His Majesty is not

a huge army standing there because you’re not

palace. This is a defense maneuver,” Jake explained. “I thought someone as intelligent and strategic as you would recognize

and end this? You know I’ll have reinforcements arriving

I responded with a leveled tone, “your provocation

to my camp. I wasn’t going to be goaded into attacking first. Luther was going to say whatever

him set the pace, no matter how many times he called me selfish and vicious. His words meant nothing unless I proved him right,

completely winded. He clutched his side like he had a cramp. He sputtered a little before he was