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–”

my head,

pursed his lips, looking somewhat annoyed as he glanced at the door to

someone else?” I asked, my stomach tying in

that he’s not here.” Aeris turned back to me, studying my face

whoever was listening that my expression

head with a bat, I guessed. I also guessed that that was exactly the business Jared was taking care of tonight,

feel it. I told myself to stop, to not drink anymore. I was more likely to get “mouthy” with some liquid courage, which is exactly what Jared had told me not to

believe I’m the breeder your brother Ambrose bought at

eyes watering. I arched my brows, swirling my wine as I watched

“My dear–”

with shock. “I am high born. My father is likely rolling over in his grave right now knowing his

edge, “is what you’re doing with the likes of Jared if

told you,” I said innocently. “I’m

asked, his eyes like frosted amber as he ran

in dismissal, shaking my head. “A

Dark Lord,” he corrected. “The true

the look of pure, unadulterated menace flash behind his eyes. What

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

breath as much as I was

Aeris sighed before drinking deeply from his wine glass. “But maybe… you and I can strike a deal. What do

“N-no–”

his brow. An awkward silence settled over the table

the brother–” I stuttered,

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

“How dare–”

sent from hell 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

of my lower lip, keeping my eyes

the man from the breeder auction had… the curls, the blue-green eyes… that filthy mouth and

ceiling in preparation for whatever fight was

threw his napkin on the table, motioning to me as he rose to his feet. “Lift your skirts

speak to me in such a way!” I shouted,

stem of the glass and slicing open the palm of my hand. Fear ripped the air from my lungs as

bloody fist as I backed away from him. “You are not my Alpha, and I am not your breeder. I am your

“Your husband?”

say it. I didn’t

a scowl. “Jared.” I took a step back, noticing the unfiltered fury

he hissed, straightening

I might have taken this too far, but what else

teeth at me, looking absolutely

My shoes clacked against the marble floor as I ran for our wing of the castle,

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

***

Jared was pacing back and forth across his bedroom, his arms crossed and head bent as he mulled over my retelling of what had