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.

your rooms,” Aeris said brightly, his orange eyes creasing with excitement. “Make yourself

***

from Jared’s, with Brandt and Archer housed on either side. It was in an inconspicuous and quiet wing of the castle, and seemed relatively empty save for the rapid footsteps of

marble floor and breezy lace curtains covering several ceiling-height windows overlooking the city below. I’d gazed longingly at the massive bed for some time before going into the adjoining bathroom and sinking into the hottest bath

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

held up one of the dresses, which was a pale 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

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

unlocked. Brandt was curled up in bed, still in his traveling clothes, his open mouth slightly ajar

He’d also been asleep, but was sprawled out

sighed, looking up and down the

be sleeping too, but I was still thrumming with adrenaline from our run-in with the warriors outside the city walls. Why not do a

curve. I noticed an archway along one side of the hallway and walked inside, finding myself in a cozy sitting room full of

A piano.

arched my brows as I walked forward, plucking one of the

scooting myself in and flexing my fingers before settling them on the keys. I took a deep breath, then

aunt and uncle, Rosalie and Ethan. Uncle Ethan would sit in an armchair nearby while I filled his home with music. I’d taught myself how to play and found it was the easiest, and sometimes only way to untangle the

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

did you learn

Jared leaned against the archway to

trying to still my thundering heart rate. “You scared me to

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

I

“No, you didn’t–”

him over my

I think I have, a long time ago. Play it again.” His last words were a sharp, almost desperate command. The air in the room shifted as I broke from his gaze and

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

you walking down that hallway and wanted to make sure

as

to see the final hint of a smile touch his lips. But there was something in his eyes that gave me pause, a distant, contemplative

found myself locked on his eyes as heat flashed behind them. I thought of the study, of his fingers trailing little circles on my inner

expecting us in a few hours. You should get some rest. We’re leaving directly

I’d shock myself just like when

breathless. I rose from