Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder Chapter 835

Chapter 46 : Leave This Village

*Jared*

Eliza didn’t look back over her shoulder as she walked out into the night. I hadn’t expected her to, not after the conversation I’d overheard from my position on the porch.

I flexed my jaw as I leaned on the railing and watched her walk away, debating whether or not to follow.

That would really depend if I was going to kill Carmen now, or save that for later.

“What’re you going to do?” Brandt asked in a low whisper as the crewmen I’d posted to guard the cottage changed their positions behind us.

“Nothing Carmen said was inherently wrong,” I replied. The words left an acrid taste in my mouth as I glanced at Brandt, shaking my head. “Though I need to find out who she’s working for if it’s not Aeris.”

“But, Eliza–”

“I’ll deal with Eliza,” I said sharply, not meaning the words to be so harsh. In truth, my blood was boiling and I was two seconds away from dragging Carmen into the Dark Forest by her hair and doing what I should have done years ago.

The shadow of power within me was roiling as I walked down the steps shoulder to shoulder with Brandt. It was full dark now, the sky nothing but deep black as we walked through the outskirts of the village. It would rain again tonight. I could feel the electricity in the air as we turned onto the trail leading to the house. I wasn’t looking forward to the conversation I’d have to have with Eliza tonight.

I had no plans to defend myself or my history with Carmen, I’d already said everything that needed to be said.

It was Carmen’s offer to Eliza that needed to be discussed, and immediately. Eliza still saw Egoren through a faded lens, seeing only what she wanted to see. Carmen had enticed her. I knew that for a fact.

“Do you know the schedule for the trade ships that travel between the realms?” I asked as we broke from the trees.

“The last time I was in the Capital, there was a trade ship at the port of Egoren, the first in many months.”

“s**t,” I breathed, shaking my head.

“I don’t think Eliza is dumb enough to take anything Carmen says as the truth,” Brandt cut in, coming to a stop. “She wouldn’t go off with Carmen–”

“She will if she believes Carmen can help her break my curse.”

“Isn’t that what you want?”

“I don’t know anymore,” I said, meaning it.

The idea of putting Eliza at risk was an immense weight on my shoulders, and I was finding it harder and harder to focus. She was in harm’s way just by being with me, and the only thing I could do to protect her was to just… be here, be with her, and pretend to be her husband if the wrong people came calling.

A shrill howl sounded somewhere to the east, followed by howls of recognition as Brandt and I turned to the sound.

“The scouts–” Brandt said, his voice catching in his throat as he furrowed his brow.

adrenaline prickled over my skin. They were

the scattered cottages in the woods came out onto their porches, some of them holding onto young children who were rubbing sleep from their eyes. Brandt began to take off his leathers but I put my hand on his chest, my eyes still

by six or seven howls much more faint, but closing in on

the sounds of shouts echoed through the village as my

the darkness, silent

them on foot and some in their wolf forms as I stalked into the woods. I unsheathed a blade, testing the sharpened edge

as the village quieted behind me, everyone who hadn’t

well she’d be putting up a fight against Miriam, who would be rounding up

the cottage where Carmen was being kept, the porch now unguarded. I gripped the hilt of

the door behind me as I stepped over the threshold, pushing some of my power forward into

with hatred. “I want you out of

even

hearth, a crimson reflection making the blade look like it had when it’d been pulled from the forge. “Go, and if

isn’t she?” Carmen made no moves to rise from the couch. She raked her fingers through her hair, her dark eyes fixed on mine. “I can sense it, you know. You carry her scent. She

“I said get out–”

could be happy for you, Jared,

not speaking about

Funny how these things

the elbow, dragging her out

she hissed, her

I asked, running my fingertip

no desire for it, no. But she’d be useful to Eliza if your mate survives this place, survives you. You’ll take

village,”

Hestia is waiting for her,” Carmen grinned, her eyes narrowed

as in…

“Wait–”

her clothes tearing away as her golden wolf form sprinted into

the porch and into the night. It was quiet, much too quiet as I closed the distance between me and the perimeter of men guarding the village. I could barely see

distance faded as I raked

the Dark, the Witch of Shadows–she’d had a bounty on her

seen in decades. And even

a sprint, several

Brandt screamed, his voice

sent the command down the mindlink and the men and wolves flanking me skidded to a halt while I continued

I didn’t recognize stood in a row in the distance, guarding

my hand on Brandt’s shoulder then stepped past him, keeping a good distance

This is my

cautious step forward, his nose lifted to pick up my scent. He pawed the ground, growling low in his throat. His companions whined and huffed in response to whatever conversation was taking place over mindlink between them,

swishing as his companions fell in line ahead of him. I couldn’t see their coloring in the dark. I had no idea where they had come from, or why. They were gone as

laying flat on his back, his chest

holding strong despite the quiver of panic I