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.

silent and still. Brandt ended up walking next to me, keeping in step with me as the village fell

make camp eventually. The

take the opportunity

***

was nothing but a dying ember. I spent several hours passing the thermos of coffee back and forth between the three men. That was my job, apparently–coffee girl. But when it came time for me to take a swig, I found the coffee to be laced with a

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

I corrected, a little hotly. “I’m

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

he’s taking me to

with us, not to him. You’re part of our crew now. A bandit,

Archer chimed in,

him, my cheeks going red. Brandt looked thoroughly confused, but

whispering something under his breath that sounded like,

a 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 if his expression was apologetic or just willing me to keep my mouth

Anyway, f**k him.

of work, Archer,” I bit

piece of work that will save your ass if anything comes bounding out of

enough,” Jared said

towering trees. The forest was so dense

tired and

been dark,” I

out, narrowing his eyes at me, and then Archer, “we’re going to camp here. Brandt, Archer, find a spot nearby, something sheltered.” Archer grunted in response, following Brandt into the trees.

“What?” I asked.

“Have you eaten today?”

as I took off the backpack I’d been

Jared took the backpack from me and extended his

can walk just fine on my own,” I said, but he grabbed my hand anyway and pulled me after him into the

had been the night before, and I felt a rush of longing course through me. I tried to remove my hand from his grip but he noticed and squeezed, then turned to look

“We’ll talk later.”

asking what exactly

said I’m part of the crew. Does

how much he

of a teasing smile touching Jared’s lips. He led me through a tangle of heather and alder bushes. On the other side, Archer and

my backpack to Brandt, who made quick work of pulling

down,” Jared said to me, motioning to a mossy

hesitate, but I wondered if I’d be able to get up again as fatigue immediately began to set into my

shift and do this trip as wolves?” I asked,

his weight and looked at Archer, who

supplies,” Archer replied. “In case we