Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 805

Chapter 16 : Into the Woods

I’d never felt that kind of magnetic heat. It’d been like my body wasn’t my own anymore, begging to be claimed.

I wasn’t a total novice. I’d gone to the University of Mirage, for Goddess’s sake, the party capital of the pack lands. There had been times when a drunken kiss had gone further than I’d expected but… I’d never felt what I’d felt with Jared. Even the guy I thought I’d been in love with couldn’t hold a flame to what I was feeling now. A single kiss from Jared had sent me spiraling into a haze where my mind had no control over my actions, and if I let it happen again, it would ruin me. He would ruin me.

This wasn’t the usual run-of-the-mill attraction.

It was safe to say I hadn’t slept at all after I’d peeled myself from his desk and reluctantly left his study.

I woke the next morning to Archer coming through my bedroom door carrying a pile of clothing and outdoor wear. He tossed it in a heap on top of me, telling me I had ten minutes to get dressed.

My heart was in my throat the entire time I struggled into the clothing. Flexible thermal leggings and a matching shirt were paired with thick wool socks and an even thicker wool jacket that brushed against my knees, several sizes too big. The boots I’d been given were new, and exactly my size.

I felt like I was dressing for an execution. I looked around the room, my eyes resting on a still-sleeping Scarlett curled up in her bed.

If Jared was serious about taking me to Aeris, well, I’d never see her again… or Miriam, or Giselle, or any of the other friends I’d made during my time at his house.

I didn’t know where I stood with Jared now, not after what happened.

But that kiss had kept me up all night. I bleakly wondered if he’d been thinking about it, too.

“Come on, we’re burning daylight,” Archer said as I stepped out into the darkened hallway.

“The sun hasn’t even come up,” I murmured, shifting the weight of the heavy backpack he’d given me. I wasn’t sure what was inside, but it was enough to strain against my shoulders as I followed him outside and into the mist-covered village.

The remnants of the party last night were visible in the gray morning light. Fog snaked around choked-out warming fires where the embers were still burning, sputtering under a blanket of moisture. There were even a few people curled up in their wolf forms, asleep where they’d fallen.

I could make out two figures standing in the distance, but that was it. Brandt and Jared were talking amongst themselves, decked out for our journey.

“Where’s everyone else?” I asked, a little hesitant as the four of us caught up to each other. Jared didn’t look down at me as Brandt turned to greet us.

“It’s just going to be us,” Brandt replied, giving me a soft smile in greeting.

“Let’s get going, then,” Archer said, pulling a thermos from his backpack and tossing it to me. “You’re carrying the coffee.”

“Okay,” I murmured, a jolt of apprehension shooting up my spine as the three men started to turn toward the still-dark forest ahead of me. I wanted to ask why we were going this way, but in truth, I had no idea where Aeris lived. I found it easier to just keep my mouth shut.

“Keep up,” Jared said to us as we crossed the healer’s cottage.

glanced back at me, his eyes grazing my face. He looked to be checking on me, and I gave him a soft smile in response. But he didn’t smile back. He simply turned his gaze back to the forest and put a few paces worth of distance between us.

Ouch.

still. Brandt ended

eventually. The

I finally take the

***

The usual fire in my soul was nothing but a dying ember. I spent several hours passing the thermos of coffee back and forth between

Brandt mused. He’d been talking at me for some time, but I hadn’t had much to say in response so far.

little hotly. “I’m just

gave me an odd look, then laughed lightly, “What’re you talking about? You’re part of

taking me to

him. You’re part of our

your boat, Eliza,” Archer

gaped at him, my cheeks going red. Brandt looked thoroughly

to Archer, whispering something under his breath that sounded like,

little too smug for my liking. I felt that internal flame ignite as he looked over his shoulder at me, his cheek dimpling with mischief. Jared looked at me for the first time in several hours, but I couldn’t tell

Anyway, f**k him.

piece of work, Archer,” I

bounding out of the woods to try to make a meal of you,” he retorted, winking at

enough,” Jared said

forest was so dense that I couldn’t

tired and hungry. It’s

dark,”

then Archer, “we’re going to camp here. Brandt, Archer, find a spot nearby, something sheltered.” Archer grunted in response, following

“What?” I asked.

“Have you eaten today?”

as I took off the backpack I’d been carrying for the entire day. I sighed

from

own,” I said, but he grabbed my hand anyway and pulled me

and I felt a rush of longing course through me.

“We’ll talk later.”

stop myself from asking what exactly we had to talk about in

of the crew. Does that mean

on how much he wants for you,” Jared

Jared’s lips. He led me through a tangle of heather and alder bushes. On

to Brandt, who made quick work of pulling out the

to a mossy area at the edge of

fatigue immediately began to set into my muscles. Food and water were passed around as the men sat down nearby, and an hour

shift and do this trip as wolves?”

weight and looked at

to carry weapons and supplies,” Archer replied. “In case we run into