Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder Chapter 811

Chapter 22 : The Truth Always Reveals Itself

Dinner passed in a blur of conversation. Archer and Brandt finished several helpings of food before they relaxed into a guarded examination of the people sitting with us at the table. I watched them, wondering what they were seeing and hearing that I couldn’t.

Jared gently refused Aeris’s offer of a nightcap in Aeris’s private library, saying our crew needed to rest.

I rose from the table and followed the men out of the room, but I could feel the stares grazing the back of my neck as we crossed into the hallway and walked back to the wing that housed our bedrooms.

“Goodnight–” I began, trying to turn into my bedroom, but Jared reached out and grabbed my arm.

He opened the door to his room and ushered all of us inside.

“So,” Jared said, crossing the room to the bar cart along the far wall. He poured four glasses of what looked like scotch, then handed them to us. “What did you find out?”

Archer drank deeply, extending his glass for another dram.

“There was some talk of Ambrose but no one in his circle seemed to know what Ambrose used his stolen money on,” Brandt began, swirling his glass. “There is a ball tomorrow night, and the Alpha King of Egoren has sent a warning to Aeris about what sounded like Suncrest spies in the capital. The spies were apprehended and are being held by Alpha King Alexander’s warriors.”

I looked from man to man, wondering how the hell Brandt was able to gather so much information in the dining hall when it was filled with chatter over the clanging of silverware.

“Aeris is looking for a breeder to replace the heirs he lost,” Archer mentioned.

My eyes snapped to Archer, who shrugged, sipping from his drink.

“Keep your ears and eyes open. I need to know everything,” Jared said, then drained his own glass.

I looked down at the glass he’d handed me. I didn’t think I’d ever even tried scotch before. I brought to my lips, taking a tiny sip, and grimaced. Jared took it from my hands, his fingertips brushing against mine.

“Get some rest, Eliza,” he said, then turned to Brandt and Archer. “The two of you go out into the city tonight; check the taverns and brothels. See what else you can find out.”

Archer and Brandt walked away, their muffled conversation swallowed by the sound of the door shutting behind them.

“I’m going to keep you safe,” Jared began.

I answered him with a soft smile. “I know, I trust you.”

He seemed a little shocked by this reply, the hard lines of his face softening a bit. He drank my serving of the scotch, his eyes still locked on mine.

We were alone… in his bedroom. I could kiss him if I wanted to. He’d let me, I was sure.

“Goodnight, Eliza,” he said, breaking the spell.

I pursed my lips and turned toward the door, hurrying across the hallway and into the darkened sanctuary of my own room.

***

rubbing the sleep from my eyes. A clock on the far side of the room sounded, little bells announcing the hour. I furrowed my brow as I threw the thick coverlet off my legs and stepped

the afternoon. I’d

I mumbled, wondering what I’d missed and what the guys were getting up

knock on my door. I turned just as a trio of maids bustled in, carrying a tray of food

in exasperation, rubbing

for the ball, miss. We don’t have

myself, but thank you,” I said, giving

quickly as they’d come, leaving me to munch on some toast and

for the dress I’d been wearing the

the city seemed to be perpetually basking in a golden-hued glow. I

open wide and bounced against the wall, making me jump and spill my

hissed, sucking on the burn on my finger.

he smirked, tossing a large,

replied, eyeing him with

rocking on his heels as he tilted his head toward the rack of dresses the

told me to go find you something to wear for the ball that isn’t… how do

drown me in

“Yes, exactly.”

on my bedside table and gently lifted the dress from the box, holding

flattering, but compared to the long sleeves and high necklines of the dresses on the rack, it seemed rather scandalous. My arms, shoulders, and upper

the box, as well

a fortune,” I breathed, meeting Archer’s

with the witch’s money.” He turned to leave the room but paused at the

after him until he closed the

***

length mirror in the bathroom, then down at the makeup on the counter. I never wore makeup. I just never bothered with it, having spent a good deal of time traveling from dig site to dig site over the years. I picked up a tube of lipstick,

a glove, and the shoes made me a few inches taller. I could walk in them

before I turned from the mirror, I ran my fingertips over the pearl necklace. Each pearl was different, slightly uneven and unique. They were warm to the touch. I wondered why they had been included in the box, and whether it was Archer or Jared

knock on my bedroom door and crossed the room, opening it wide. Brandt turned to face

he said, thoroughly

his arm, resting

me down the hallway. I thought we’d stop to fetch Jared and Archer, but we continued walking. I looked Brandt over, noticing his fine, well fitting clothes. He’d brushed his hair back from his face and shaved. He was an incredibly handsome man, especially with those stunning blue eyes reflecting

wanted to wake you up several hours ago, but Jared

“So, what

about that now. We have

“Oh?”

“We’re going to spy.”

of strings. It was

the ballroom, everyone dressed in suits and gowns. Many couples were dancing in the center of the room, their bodies swept in a waltz. Brandt nodded pleasantly as we passed the guests attending the ball, all

cheeks turning a bright pink from the

at you,” he corrected, flashing me a

a ball gown with a neckline that touches