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.

supposedly the Moon Goddess’s

“Yeah, that’s the guy.”

that is a fairy tale? A

made it, well, they made it a long time ago. I think I

You just said this is what Damian is after. Wouldn’t

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

she was shocked, her mouth hanging

12.07

36: Everything in

And then I told her everything, how Ernest and Gemma came with me

Valoria to find the map. I was sent to get Romero out of the tower. That’s what I was told. It was simple; I’d free him and be 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.

She

whole story, huh?

him I wouldn’t tell you what he told

I promise I won’t tell him

her lips. I felt a little sick at the sight; it was the first

key, Maeve. Do you

brow knitted in

Maeve to produce an

the Southern Pass,” she said, her voice wavering. “He said I can’t that I

I asked, hoping she could

would put us

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

about my mom, Troy. I’m worried about

**Your dad?”

go to 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 ago. Age changes people. I just… | understand why I can’t write. Keaton said it’s better if everyone thinks i’m

stood, crossing the room as I sensed her beginning to crumble. She didn’t move away when I sat down next to her, taking the map from her hands and laying it beside her on the bed.

can I trust you after

my only concern is keeping you out of Damian’s hands. The Persephone sticks out; it’s known in the port cities. We have to get far away and hope this

will start a war over

wants, I think. There’s nothing we can do

sat in silence for a moment, shoulder

really lock Gemma in the

I was in there with

her voice cracking with emotion as she laughed and cried at the same

you know that Myla and Keaton are mates?” I asked, looking

me. Myla hasn’t woken up yet, though. She doesn’t know. That’s all she ever talked about. There was nothing else she wanted more than to

huh? That they’d find each other

Ernest,” she said, sadness cracking in her voice. She looked down at her lap, tears falling down her cheeks.

Ernest was my friend, Maeve. I really liked the guy. He trusted me like I’ m asking you

12-07

Everything in

“I need time, Troy.”