Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder Chapter 810

Chapter 21 : I’m Not Your Darling

On closer expectation, Alpha Aeris was not as tall or as striking as I thought he’d been when he approached us, and what was left of his warriors, on the road leading into his city. He was only a few inches taller than me, and likely in his mid-forties, but he had the strangest eyes I’d ever seen in my life. They were orange, like the fruit.

I couldn’t help but stare at him as he chatted amiably with Jared while his warriors hissed and groaned on the road around us, rolling around in pain. Jared had released his death grip on my waist but was still standing next to me, one of his fingers curled around the back center belt loop of my pants. It felt rather possessive. I kinda liked it. But also I could feel him thrumming with rage as he gritted his teeth and shared niceties with the Alpha standing before us.

I glanced at Archer and Brandt, who were standing beside us now, both of them covered in road dust. Brandt had blood coming out of one of his ears, but otherwise, everyone was in one piece.

“I see you brought a treat for the road this time,” Aeris grinned, his eyes falling on mine.

I squared my shoulders, blinking at him as my face twisted into a scowl.

“Eliza is part of my crew,” Jared said flatly. “She’s an expert in antiquities, and will be examining the scroll you owe me.”

“Ah, yes. I assure you I haven’t forgotten,” Aeris drawled, still holding my gaze. “I find it interesting a female would be interested in the… intellectual pursuits of men.”

My teeth were on edge as I willed myself to calm the f**k down and not say anything to this toad of a man, not yet.

“Well,” Aeris said with a clap of his hands. “Come with me.” He turned on his heel and walked towards the gate, leaving his injured warriors behind.

I glanced between Archer, Brandt, and Jared, silently urging them to explain what the hell just happened. Jared gave me a quick shake of his head, giving me a little push so I was walking beside him instead of behind him.

We walked through the run-down village and into the city. The difference between Aeris’s territory on either side of the wall was striking. The village was the definition of poverty, nothing but shacks and stalls and people dressed in tarnished homespun rags as they carried baskets of coal and produce. But inside the wall?

“Welcome to Suncrest,” Aeris said proudly, his hands outstretched.

We passed white buildings lined with shop fronts as we snaked through the city toward the castle. People stopped to bow to their Alpha, surprised by the group of bandits who trailed them. All eyes were on me, it seemed. Several people glared and whispered as I passed. I couldn’t help but stiffen as we continued on our trek.

Jared was obviously on edge, and Brandt and Archer were keeping in step, walking closely on either side of me.

“Sorry about the warriors,” Aeris said casually as we approached a massive gate leading into what looked like a garden, the castle rising beyond it. “I didn’t want to waste the opportunity for them to train with the lost prince.”

Lost prince? I glanced at Jared but he was expressionless, his eyes as cold as ice. The gate swung open and we were ushered inside.

It closed behind us with a clang that sent a chill up my spine as the warriors guarding the gate locked it in place.

said brightly, his orange eyes creasing with excitement. “Make yourself at home. Jared, be sure to show

***

inconspicuous and quiet wing of the castle, and seemed relatively empty save for the rapid footsteps of maids scurrying along outside my

longingly at the massive bed for

dresses. I had nothing else to wear but the soiled clothing we’d worn into the city, which

cream color and sported short, fluffy sleeves and a modest neckline, but would drape around my ankles. Again, I felt as though I’d gone back in time as I dressed and slid my feet into a pair

I assumed everyone here was dripping in wealth and would likely be showing it. I gathered my hair

the door unlocked. Brandt was curled up in bed, still

the room. He’d also been asleep,

I sighed, looking up and

thrumming with adrenaline from our run-in with the warriors outside the city walls. Why

a cozy sitting room full of natural light. Bookshelves lined the wall but were mostly bare.

A piano.

as I walked forward, plucking one

on the piano bench, scooting myself in and flexing my fingers before settling them on the keys. I took a deep breath, then smiled. It’d

chosen a song I’d composed myself as a child and perfected over the years when I’d trudge through the snow to the castle in Winter Forest, the home of my great aunt and uncle, Rosalie and Ethan. Uncle

fingers moved across the keys in a practiced, dramatic fashion. The music carried through the room, light and sweet.

you learn

Jared leaned against the

feet,” I panted, trying to still my thundering heart

eyeing me intensely. A heated blush prickled over my cheeks as I broke from his gaze and turned back

it up,” I

“No, you didn’t–”

at him over my shoulder. “I did.

it before,” his face softened a bit, and he looked almost a little hesitant to continue. “I mean, I think I have, a long time ago. Play it again.” His last words were a sharp, almost desperate command.

near impossible to convince myself to play anything else in his presence. “How long have you been standing there listening to me?” I asked softly,

wanted to make sure

whole time?” My cheeks burned as I rested

the final hint of a smile touch his lips. But there was something in his eyes that gave me pause, a distant, contemplative look that made my heart

flashed behind them. I thought of the study, of his fingers trailing little circles on my

a few hours. You should get some rest. We’re leaving directly after dinner,” he said as

I’d shock myself just like when our fingers had

rose from the piano bench, my eyes downcast