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.

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

***

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

the city below. I’d gazed longingly at the massive

a tray of cookies and tea and several dresses. I had nothing else to wear but the soiled clothing we’d worn

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

the dress, I assumed everyone here was dripping in wealth and would likely be showing it.

unlocked. Brandt was curled up in bed, still in his traveling clothes, his

smiled to myself as I gently closed the door and moved to Archer’s room–also unlocked–and blushed furiously as I tore my gaze from him and exited the room. He’d also been asleep, but was sprawled out on his belly like a starfish, his

sighed, looking up and down the

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

one side of the hallway and walked inside, finding myself in a cozy sitting room full of natural light. Bookshelves lined the wall but were mostly bare. Two couches faced each other near the hearth, and

A piano.

I walked forward, plucking one of the keys… perfectly

myself in and flexing my fingers before settling them on the

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 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

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

you learn

spun around, my heart leaping into my chest as Jared leaned against the archway to the sitting room, a

incredibly light on your feet,” I panted, trying to still my thundering heart rate. “You scared me

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

I said,

“No, you didn’t–”

at him over

time ago. Play it again.” His last words were a sharp, almost desperate

my lower lip, 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 asked softly, my breath catching in

wanted to make sure you weren’t

as I rested my hands on

and I turned to face him just in time to see the final hint of a smile touch his lips.

I thought of the study, of his

us in a few hours. You should get some rest. We’re leaving directly after dinner,”

like if I reached out and touched him I’d shock myself just like when our fingers had grazed in the

breathless. I rose from the piano