Sould As The Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 36: Everything in This Room is Mine

Troy

“I thought you never wanted to talk to me again, ever,” I said as I closed the door to my room behind me, leaning against it.

Maeve had followed me all the way back after calling up to me in the crow’s nest. Reluctantly, I’d come down to see what she wanted.

It was a relief to be here, on the Persephone, standing in my room. It would have been even better if the woman on my bed was willing, maybe even naked, not giving me the look Maeve had in her eyes.

“I changed my mind, for now.”

“I see,” I said as I crossed the room, pulling the chair from the desk and sitting in it backward, my legs on either side of it, and my chin resting on its back. “I’m sleeping in here tonight, just so you know.”

“No, you’re not.” Maeve said with conviction, jutting her chin.

“Well, it’s my room. Always has been. You can sleep here, with me, or go bunk with the boys three stories down.”

She glared, crossing her legs. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing one of Young Pete’s poet shirts. It was way too large, but the look suited her somehow, especially in a pair of Young Pete’s trousers that fit very well.

I cleared my throat, waiting for her to begin. I knew that it was supposed to be a serious conversation, but I was in a light mood. I was happy to be home.

And even though she hated me, I was happy Maeve was here with me, too.

“Why does Damian want me?” she asked point-blank.

I shook my head, unsure of how or where to begin. I reached into the pocket of my shirt and pulled out the map Romero had given me, the only thing I had managed to bring with me from the castle, and held it out to her.

“Toss it to me,” she said.

“It’s fragile, come get it.”

Her eyes narrowed into silts as she stood, walking gingerly toward me. I could’ve given it to her, of course, but I enjoyed the view of her body in the tight pants she was wearing too much to let the opportunity pass me by.

We had all given Pete shit for it, of course. He was a gangly young man, and Maeve filled out those trousers better than he ever would

“What is it?” she asked, looking down at the ragged, coarse paper as she sat back down.

“It’s what Damian was after. You were only a piece of the puzzle.”

“What do I have to do with. I don’t know what this says?”

“It’s in another language… an ancient language. It’s a map to Lycaon’s Tomb.”

“Lycaon? From the legend?”

I nodded, watching her face as she looked over the map, her brow arched as she tried to make sense of it.

the Moon Goddess’s son, right?” she

“Yeah, that’s the guy.”

a fairy tale?

to be. Whoever made it, well,

this is what Damian is after. Wouldn’t he be

some reason. That’s why Damian needed Romero, at least. paused, unsure of how to tell her about our last night in the castle. “Horace attacked him. Something must have changed between

what?” she was shocked, her

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36: Everything in

then I told her everything, how Ernest and Gemma came with me to see him. How Romero died right in front of

on my way, getting him safely back to the isles, and we would receive a huge sum of money for it. But I was deceived, Maeve, tricked into believing that was all. I agreed because well, Damian knew my parents. At least he said he did. He said

She paused,

you the whole story, huh? Yeah, I

wouldn’t tell you what he told me,” she

tell him you told

lips. I felt a little sick at the

being the key, Maeve. Do you have any idea

head, her brow knitted in

Maeve to produce an heir for my line

were heading south for the Southern Pass,” she said, her voice wavering. “He said I

why?” I asked, hoping she

would put us

risk, most of all. It’s unlikely Damian will try anything; he won’t invade Winter Forest. Your

worried about my mom, Troy. I’m

**Your dad?”

Valoria to try and find me. I’m worried about what will happen when he gets there. He won’t stop looking for me, and he’ll put himself in danger doing so. He’s still strong and clever, but he’s not the man he was twenty years

away when I sat down next to her, taking the map from her hands and laying it beside her

I trust you after everything

only concern is keeping you out of Damian’s hands. The Persephone sticks out; it’s known in

start a war over

wants, I think. There’s nothing we

in silence for a

you really lock Gemma in the utility closet?” she

in there

with emotion as she laughed

Keaton are mates?” I asked, looking

Myla hasn’t woken up yet, though. She doesn’t know. That’s all she ever talked about. There was

That

same odds as Gemma and Ernest,” she said, sadness cracking in her voice. She looked down at her lap,

told you we couldn’t go looking for him. He… Ernest was my friend, Maeve. I really liked the

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in This Room is

“I need time, Troy.”