Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder Chapter 809

Chapter 20 : Alpha Aeris

We set out on the last part of our journey before the sun had risen over the horizon. Brandt and Archer were chipper, and it was obvious the blanket of tension brought on by walking through a forest full of people-eating witches and whatever the hell else was lurking in its depths had lifted.

Jared and I had stayed out on the cliff for hours, but we’d hardly spoken. I was thankful for the silence, too caught up in my own mind to even think about the Cryptex or the curse Jared had somewhat explained, if not in detail.

I was also reeling from just sitting next to Jared, which was ridiculous. Having a gentle, open conversation with him had been a first. We hadn’t argued, not once, during our time on watch. It’d left me feeling even more confused about my feelings than after our fiery spat in his study.

There was something about him that was pulling me in like a magnet despite my frequent attempts to stay out of his way. I hated it–at least, I was trying to hate it. I was trying to hate him.

But I just… didn’t.

I kept reminding myself that he did, in fact, hold me hostage. He was a cold, calculated man who killed people for a living. And, he was cursed.

Not only that, but I’d just agreed to help him track down the man who’d cursed him in the first place by interpreting a mystical scroll he was getting in return for killing the brother of an Alpha.

Goddess. What was I thinking? The book I was going to write about this, if I survived, was going to be a best seller for sure.

“What exactly are we walking into?” I asked the group as we walked along a long dirt road. Grasses taller than my head grew on either side of the road, making it impossible for me to see where we were going. “Is Aeris a friend to our crew? Or, is he… not so friendly.”

“Oh, he’s a real prick,” Archer chimed in, walking with his usual swagger a few paces in front of me. He looked over his shoulder at me, a boyish smile dimpling his cheeks.

“Everyone is a plaything to him,” Brandt added. “He is one of the most influential Alphas in Egoren and believes he can skirt every rule–”

“He throws a damn good party,” Archer interrupted.

Jared, who was walking ahead of us, turned his head and glared at Archer.

“What do you mean he skirts every rule?” I asked, panting a bit as I fought to keep up with the men and their long strides. It was obvious they wanted to get this journey over and done with.

“He is rather vocal about his disdain for the Alpha King,” Brandt replied. “Some people have taken offense to a White Queen on the throne as his Luna, among other things.”

Lena–my stomach tightened into a painful knot but I kept my face expressionless, I hoped. “What other things?”

his heel and faced the three of us,

us,” he began, looking at each of us for the space of a breath. His gaze fell on me and I involuntarily

you mean?” I pressed, tired of the men dancing

consider you… entertainment,” Archer said with a shrug. “No matter if you’re

is why we need to handle this situation delicately. Aeris is backed by several Alphas who aren’t thrilled with the current political climate and the changes being made in the capital, but so far those changes haven’t reached this far

from man to man, awaiting their

to say anything about it. You are part of

to say when he asks exactly what I’m researching? Does he know about your curse?” I crossed my arms over my

and Archer looked at

knows?” Archer asked, but Jared waved him away, his eyes still

I want the scroll for my collection. From this moment forward, you are an expert in antiquities, who was trained

to keep my voice from lifting with

be in and out. This will only take a few hours at the

probably planning a parade in honor of

say this once.” He pointed to Archer, then Brandt, his face twisted in a scowl. “No f*****g fighting,” he said, then turned to me, pointing an accusatory finger inches away from my nose. “And you’re going to be on your

said, batting my eyelashes at him. “I’ve never misbehaved a day in

of his mouth twitching as he choked back his own laugh. Jared, on

loved that look and the challenge

gave us all an exhausted look in surrender before turning

***

the tall grasses an hour later and crested a steep hill. I had to bend over and rest my hands on my knees to catch my breath after the climb, but I found myself even more breathless after catching

enormous castle rising at its center. Cottages and farms dotted the

some time and noticed their behavior shift as we neared the main gate leading beyond the wall. Archer and Brandt cut off the road and dropped

on?” I hissed as Archer and Brandt returned, but

this. Not

thought you

abruptly stopped walking and I nearly ran into Archer’s back. I peeked between him and

and who are you?” barked

extended his hands in a motion of surrender, taking a single step forward. “Alpha Aeris

flexing and clenching his fists. “You’re trespassing on Alpha Aeris’s territory, you filthy forest scum.” Archer grabbed me and pushed me off the