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.

***

far wall, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. A clock on

in the afternoon. I’d slept the

wondering what I’d missed and what the guys were getting up to without

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

in exasperation, rubbing my

to fix your hair for the

myself, but thank you,” I said, giving her

of the room as quickly as they’d come, leaving me to munch on some toast and frown at the lace and beading on

I’d been wearing the day before but it was gone, as were

to the window. There were still a few hours until sunset, but the city seemed to be perpetually basking in a golden-hued glow. I sipped my coffee, wondering what Archer and Brandt got up to in the city

my room swung open wide and bounced against the wall, making me

I hissed, sucking on the burn on my finger. “What the hell is

tossing a large, flat box on my

I replied, eyeing him with

he tilted his head toward the rack of dresses the maids had brought

something to wear for the ball that

me

“Yes, exactly.”

gown made of pale blue silk. I set my coffee down on my bedside table and gently lifted the dress from the box, holding it up into the light. It was stunning, but simple. A sweetheart necklace faded into short sleeves made of sheer organza that was bunched, but I wouldn’t consider it fluffy by

to the long sleeves and high necklines of the dresses on the rack, it seemed rather scandalous.

color of the dress rested inside the box, as well

cost a fortune,” I

bought it with the witch’s money.” He turned to leave the room but paused at the doorway. “Oh, wear your hair down,” he added, his cheek dimpling

closed the door, leaving me stunned

***

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, inspected it,

my curls into a half-up hairstyle, pinning them away from my face and praying they’d behave. The dress fit me like a glove, and the shoes made me a few inches taller. I could walk in them easily, maybe even dance in them too. I smiled at my reflection, pleased with

slightly uneven and unique. They were warm to the touch. I wondered why they had been included in the box, and whether

and crossed the room, opening it wide. Brandt turned to face me, then stopped, his cheeks coloring

said, thoroughly surprised. “You

as I took his arm, resting my hand in

well fitting clothes. He’d brushed his hair back from his face and shaved. He was an incredibly handsome man,

to wake you up

frowned. “So, what did I miss

now. We have a

“Oh?”

“We’re going to spy.”

of strings. It was lively, and as we turned into the ballroom, I found myself unable to release the breath

everyone dressed in suits and gowns. Many couples were dancing in the center of the room, their bodies swept in a waltz. Brandt

whispered, my cheeks

he

in a ball gown with a neckline that touches my chin,”