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.

***

the windows on the far wall, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. A clock on the far side of the room sounded, little

o’clock in the afternoon. I’d slept

mumbled, 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

breathed in

to fix your hair for the

get ready myself, but thank you,” I said, giving

looked totally confused and turned to the other maids, who shrugged helplessly. They bustled out of the room as quickly as they’d come, leaving me to

around the room for the dress I’d been wearing the day before but it was gone,

and walked 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 last

swung open wide and bounced against the

on the burn on my finger. “What the hell

gift,” he smirked, tossing a large, flat box

replied, eyeing

his hands tucked behind his back, rocking on his heels as he

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

drown me in lace and

“Yes, exactly.”

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

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 as a necklace made of

fortune,” I breathed, meeting Archer’s

witch’s money.” He turned to leave the room but paused at the doorway. “Oh, wear your hair

stared after him until he closed the door, leaving me

***

looked at my reflection in the full 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

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

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

and crossed the room, opening it wide. Brandt

said, thoroughly surprised. “You look

his arm, resting my hand in the crook

clothes. He’d brushed his hair back

up several hours ago, but Jared wouldn’t

“So, what did

about that now. We

“Oh?”

“We’re going to spy.”

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

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

cheeks turning a

he corrected,

not dressed in a ball gown with a neckline that touches my chin,” I griped, feeling totally