Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder Chapter 653

CHAPTER 153 : I LOVE YOU, MATE

*Xander*

Seven Years After Their Wedding

“No,” I said firmly as I shrugged off my jacket. I tossed it over the side of one of the chairs in the breakfast nook nestled in our private kitchen, which was currently full of cooking smells, toys, and screaming children.

Lena arched her brows as she stirred a pot of stew, her hair tied in a large, messy bun on the top of her head.

“What do you mean, no?” she replied with a smug laugh, her eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement.

Alexis darted between my legs, and I almost tripped over her as I made my way toward the kitchen island, laying my palms flat on the surface.

“Lena,” I said slowly, flexing my jaw as a scream pierced the air. Alexis, who was now seven, and Jaqueline, her six-year-old sister, were currently holding Rosie, who was five, down on the rug and tickling her while our sweet, amiable two-year-old daughter Daphne stood by and watched, her mouth twisted in a mischievous smile around her thumb.

That’s right, we had four daughters. And we had a son, Rhys, who was currently clutching Lena’s shirt so tightly his knuckles were turning white as he eyed his sisters. We’d just returned from the Realm of Light after celebrating Rhys’s first birthday with Lena’s family, and judging by the look of the wing of the castle designated for our private use, none of the children had adjusted to life back at home after being spoiled by their grandparents for two months.

“What are we supposed to do with another one?” I said through gritted teeth, Lena rolled her eyes, pressing one of Rhys’s ears to her chest while she covered the other with her hand.

“You should have thought of that,” she whispered, “before you knotted me that night we spent in Avondale!”

I ran my tongue along the inside of my lower lip, fixing her with a playful glare. I remembered that night well, very well. How could I possibly forget?

Especially since nine months from that night, we would have an everlasting reminder of our late night romp on one of the private beaches in the Isles of Denali.

I relaxed my shoulders, huffing a breath as I pointed my finger at her. “This is the last one, okay?”

“You said that after we got pregnant with Daphne,” she laughed, shifting Rhys to her other hip.

“Well, I mean it this time,” I said, extending my hands toward Rhys so I could give his mother a break for a moment. Rhys eyed me skeptically like he always did when Lena was also in the room. When it was just the two of us, or us and all of his sisters, he was fine. But Rhys was my spitting image to the point I was almost convinced that none of Lena’s DNA had mixed in with mine to create our son. It was sometimes frightening how much he looked like me, like looking decades back in time every time I looked into his eyes. He had black, softly curling hair and even darker eyes, flaked with crimson and amber. He was going to be tall and lean, which was evident already.

like his dad, Rhys only had eyes for

reluctantly leaned into my arms but snapped his head toward Lena as I walked

desires to be as hands-on with our children as possible. It was a large “house” within the castle’s walls,

toys, and the walls were littered with drawings and paintings. Neither of us had the heart to throw any of their art away, so we hung everything up

picked up an armful

was carrying a tricycle when I passed her in the hallway, and two more were admiring a colorful mural made with chalk that roped around a curved corridor. Upon closer inspection, the

castle was cast in a shadow of darkness and mystery. It was almost unrecognizable now, every

and I dragged her over to where the older girls had each other in chokeholds on the carpet. Alexis, Rosie, and Rhys all looked like me with their dark hair, but Daphne and Jaqueline favored Lena’s family. Jaqueline’s copper blonde curls reminded me of Maeve, and Daphne’s straight golden locks were about as close as any of

her next to her brother. The older girls began to try to wrestle me, but I was the one who had taught them all of

the infirmary tonight,” Lena warned from the kitchen over the sound of running

Rosie squealed. Lena

and watched Rhys slide off the couch, looking over his shoulder at the fray and giving me a devilish smirk before waddling back over

and onto the floor. I sat up, releasing Rosie and Jaqueline and

me than just being Mom and Dad. We were still Alpha King and Luna Queen of Egoren, and while

to the temple of the White Queens in Winter Forest during our latest trip, and she’d stood with her

Queens stood in front of that altar. It was a sight to behold, if I was being honest. Alexis looked up at Lena and I think, at least I thought, she saw

might be starting to feel the weight of that birthright, even at only six years

us who were fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to carry

turned to us as she continued preparing dinner for the children. I rose onto my knees so I could

children. So

we were having

to Alexis, who was watching me closely as I shifted my weight and crossed my legs, motioning

it

shrugged, sitting down next to me on the carpet. “She lets

you understand why Mom and

she said, toying with the fringe on the end of the carpet.

correct,” I replied, nudging her with my shoulder. She smiled up at me, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes. “We’re going to come back. It’s just for the night. We’ll be home before

have to get dressed up and be

paused, letting out my breath as I shifted my gaze toward the far wall. Pictures of our family lined

if you want to,” I said as I looked back