Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder Chapter 821

Chapter 32 : I’m Not Afraid

For once in my life, I was at a loss for words.

I couldn’t do more than stare at Jared, who was staring back at me. I was sure our expressions were identical, full of disbelief, concern, regret… maybe even some underlying deeply rooted longing that had led us into bed after the ball. But still, this was insane.

“That temple in the city, near the wall… it wouldn’t be hard to pay off the priest. Archer and I saw him at a tavern on our first night here,” Brandt continued. Now he was the one pacing. “We’d have to back-date it, of course. By six months to a year at least–”

“No,” Jared and I said in unison, cutting him off.

“This is our best option,” Brandt continued, tapping his fingertips on his thigh. “Our only option.”

“Why would pretending to be married help our situation?” I asked, rising from the chair I’d been sitting in and crossing my arms over my chest. My hand burned from where I’d sliced it open. I winced a bit as I tucked it into the crook of my elbow, hoping the pressure would ease some of the pain. I glanced at Jared, who was looking down at me, an apologetic look on his face.

“Because a marriage contract would say you were in Jared’s possession before the breeder auction. Aeris would have no case to claim you.”

“This is archaic–”

“This is the Dark Realm,” Archer interrupted.

“Any attack on us or our village would be direct violence instead of retaliation for theft,” Brandt added as he came to a stop in front of the hearth. “It’s… it’s a solid plan.”

“Would the contract hold up in her realm?” Jared asked, shifting his weight as he leaned against the footboard of his bed.

“No, not likely. Not unless there are Lycaonic churches in her realm.”

“There aren’t,” I chimed in, slightly vexed that they were speaking as if I wasn’t in the room with them.

Jared looked over at me, studying my face. I knew I’d dug myself into a hole the second I’d told Aeris I was Jared’s wife. I felt like an i***t now, but it was the only thing I could think to say that would stop him from forcibly trying to assault me right there on the dining room table.

“I’m sorry, Jared.”

“None of this is your fault.”

“I was the one who said you were my husband. It sounds like my fault.”

Jared turned to Archer and Brandt, both of whom bobbed their hands and abruptly left the room. He’d probably told them to leave over mindlink. Being alone with him now felt… somewhat unbearable. I felt nothing but guilt, and shame, and unease as I slowly turned to face him, the room going still.

“It would just be a business transaction,” he began, absently running his fingers along the wood grain on the footboard. “It wouldn’t mean anything else.”

“We’d still be married according to the law of your realm.”

“Yes, we would. You’d be my wife, and I’d protect and honor you as such, but I wouldn’t expect you to share my bed or give me children.”

I inhaled, his words hitting me like a ton of bricks.

“I can’t,” I exhaled, looking straight into his eyes, his dark irises glinting with amber in the reflection of the muted light of the chandelier. “I made a mistake when I said that to Aeris. I wasn’t thinking. It shouldn’t be your responsibility.”

“You were right to say it. Brandt’s correct; it’s the only way. With a marriage contract signed by a priest, especially one he wouldn’t know personally, we could walk out of here tomorrow. You’d be free of him, forever.”

“But we’d be married–”

you not

marrying me because you feel

the beast that he is until he

can’t marry me!” I cried, cutting

he looked into my eyes. He pushed off the headboard, taking a few steps in my direction until we were standing only a few feet

not?” he asked, his tone

don’t want

If it means walking out of here with

tried to take a step away from him but

to

furrowed. He just stared at

to give him the heirs he

just wanted to help you break your

to keep you alive

was on the tip of my tongue. I gave myself a moment to compose myself, tilting my chin toward him. We were only inches

beautiful when you’re scared,” he said, one corner of his mouth twitching like he was holding

not scared,” I

because he straightened up, tucking his hands in his pockets as he took a step away from me. The air

insane,” I said, shaking my head. “We can’t–why can’t you just… buy me? Aeris

and can’t do anything about it once it’s done. You’d be mine. You’d have the protection of my body, my

you’d rather marry?” I said, a

emotion as I spoke the words. This was a serious thing we were doing.

said with deep regret. I swallowed

the trouble I’ve

about you, Eliza. This is between me and

in the middle, and now you’re being forced to marry me just to save me from being a breeder. You already saved me from

it

to me

“I keep you housed, and fed, and protected. Nothing would change. It would just be a piece of paper that will tell anyone who tries to take you from me again

yours. You don’t

in a single step. I pressed my back against the door, taken by

what I want and don’t want, Eliza. You have

you. Not even if it’s

“It’s happening–”

it’s not. You’ve done

and that’s final. I’m responsible for you. I don’t care what you think about

going to leave this

could

care? You only need me to break your curse, and

against mine. “And knowing Aeris put you through that tonight makes me want to rip him

believe the words were even coming out of

Alphas in this realm. I’d be obligated to take over his pack, and the other Alphas would welcome it. I

said you were the brother of the Alpha

would the Alpha King’s

his cheek was bloody, and I could