Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder Chapter 820

Chapter 31 : Play the Game

I watched Aeris over the rim of my wine glass. He was dressed almost casually in a vest and white shirt, his thick golden hair and beard trimmed, but still slightly ruffled. He wasn’t a terrible-looking man by any means. Those eyes were strange, yes. But he was handsome, and he had a rather friendly face.

But I could see the strain and frustration behind his eyes as he cut into his steak and forked a piece of it into his mouth. He’d be surprised when I was the only one who showed up to dinner in his formal dining room, which he’d obviously taken great lengths to decorate with hot-house flowers and a dinner spread meant for an Alpha King.

But it was uncomfortably intimate with just the two of us.

“Play the game,” I’d been told by Jared.

Why me? What the hell were those men up to, anyway?

“What a pleasure it is to have you alone for an evening, darling,” he mused, tilting his wine glass against his lips.

I blinked at him for a moment, barely registering what he’d just said as I was so lost in thought, but gave him a tight smile nonetheless.

“Were you expecting company?” I asked, waving my hand in a short circle.

“Your companions, of course. I had something I wanted to discuss with Jared.”

“Ah,” I smiled, rolling my eyes. “Jared is quite ill. Archer and Brandt are useless without his direction. I do appreciate having you alone, however. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity to thank you for allowing me access to your vault. Jared isn’t nearly as interested in these things as I am.” A lie, of course.

“And how did you find it?”

I took a deep breath against the flush of unease rippling over my skin. How did I find his vault? Or how did I find the Cryptex?

Surely he knew Jared was looking for it, especially if he knew Jared as well as he said he did.

“A bit… messy,” I replied, flashing him what I hoped was a charming smile. “Tell me, how did you come across so many jewels?”

That was exactly what he wanted to hear from me. He wanted to prove I had no interest in the artifacts and books scattered haphazardly around the vault. He wanted to prove that I was just some bright-eyed, submissive female who could be bought for the right price.

Play the game, I told myself over and over. Keep him occupied.

But I wasn’t entirely sure what game Jared was wanting me to play.

“You like jewels, then?”

“Oh, yes. What woman doesn’t?” I batted my eyelashes at him, which he seemed to adore.

His face softened a bit as he grinned and poured us both another serving of wine.

“Did you find anything in particular you liked the best? I could take you there after dinner. You can have whatever you like.”

I wanted the books… the scrolls… the artifacts, even the broken ones.

“That’s not necessary, but thank you,” I replied, forcing myself to blush. “Jared keeps me well supplied and paid, I assure you.”

“But as a gift–”

head,

as he glanced at

you expecting someone else?” I asked, my stomach tying in

actually. It’s rather odd that he’s not here.” Aeris turned back to me, studying

to whoever was listening that

head with a bat, I guessed. I also guessed that that was exactly the business Jared was

exhaled through my nose, draining the rest of my wine. Aeris absentee refilled my wine glass. The wine was already turning my cheeks a ruddy pink. I could feel it. I told myself to

I’m the breeder your brother Ambrose bought

choked on his wine, his eyes watering. I arched my brows, swirling my

“My dear–”

his face twist with shock. “I am

don’t understand,” he began, his tone sharpened to an edge, “is what you’re doing with the likes of

told you,” I said

what he is?” he asked, his eyes like frosted amber as he ran his finger in

hand in dismissal, shaking my head. “A

“The true heir to the

of pure, unadulterated menace flash behind his

because he smiled, continuing, “Many Alphas of the west are interested in overthrowing King Alexander now that he brought home a White Queen from the Realm of Light as his bride. The Luna of Egoren, a White Queen, can you believe it? Lycaon’s most hated enemy was a White Queen… the reason he brought our people to this sacred place. I’ve even heard rumors she is masquerading as the Moon Goddess reincarnate! What a travesty. King Alexander should be hung by the castle walls with his wife and their children for such treachery, and I’m

for breath as much as I was

capitol and overthrowing his brother,” Aeris sighed before drinking deeply from his wine glass. “But maybe… you and I can strike a deal. What do you say? Our forces are ready to invade. Jared just needs to give the order. You can go, freed from my

“N-no–”

furrowing his brow. An awkward silence settled over the table as he tapped his fingers on

the brother–” I stuttered, Aeris’s breathy sigh cutting through my

he sighed, rolling his eyes. “My friend who was supposed to come to dinner tonight had some interesting information about you, Eliza. I find it hard to believe a woman such as yourself is a product of being raised this far west, or even in this realm at all. Even with a more… progressive father. You are far too educated and ill-mannered to be a high-bred lady from any of my neighboring territories, which leads me to believe I am correct in my assumption that you are, in

“How dare–”

to set me on edge. “He mentioned a girl had snuck aboard and only gave her name when the captain of the ship was about to turn the boat around and take her back to the port. This man is still alive, and will arrive in my territory very soon

my eyes fixed on his despite the fear

the breeder auction had… the curls,

fight was

few of them.” He threw his napkin on the table, motioning to me as he rose to his feet. “Lift your skirts

dare you speak to me in such a way!” I shouted, rising from

my hand. Fear ripped the air from my lungs as Aeris began

sneered, clenching my injured hand into a bloody fist as I backed

“Your husband?”

caught him off-guard. I hadn’t meant to say it. I didn’t know why I had. But there was no going

into a scowl. “Jared.” I took a

he hissed, straightening to his

him,” I croaked, desperately trying to keep my voice level. I might have taken this too far, but what

at

darted for the door, sure he was hot on my heels. But he hadn’t followed. My shoes clacked against the marble floor as I ran for our wing of

s**t, s**t, s**t.

***

shaking with mingled shock and fury as Brandt deftly wound a bandage around my hand. Jared was pacing back and forth