Sould As The Alpha King's Breeder

Maeve

Damian was not what I was expecting. He was an older man, tall and lean. He was probably not much older than my own father, but was significantly gray, his eyes framed by wire-rimmed

glasses. He looked more like a kind old schoolteacher than the super-villain of my nightmares, but based on Troy’s body language I realized there was much more to the man than I could gather based on a single glance.

Damian was standing, rocking on heels, and watching us. Pete was lying on the ground nearby. unconscious, and another unfamiliar man of a size that rivaled Robbie was leaning against one of the dead trees, his arms crossed over his chest.

“What are we waiting for?” Damian said in a casual, almost friendly voice.

Troy didn’t move; he was still as a statue, his focus on Damian.

“How are you here?” Troy finally said, his voice edged with fury and confusion. Damian arched his brow, giving Troy an incredulous look.

“I made some new friends,” Damian smiled, shrugging as he took a single step forward, craning his neck to look around Troy to catch a glimpse of me. “Ah, would you look at that? The rumors are true She does look like Ethan.”

“We‘re leaving,”

“And going where exactly, Troy? I owe you; you know. When I first got word about the level of your intimacy with the princess, well, I thought it would cause me nothing but grief. But you’re here now, with her. This will all be over quite soon, and you can have your prize-”

“Prize?” I asked, looking up at Troy.

His shoulders fell a fraction of an inch, but he still stared straight forward, his eye on Damian, unblinking

I knew the original plan and the fact Troy was going to be paid handsomely for breaking Romero out of the castle, but that wasn’t what Damian had been planning all along. Troy was tricked. Surely, Damian didn’t mean to pay him still, if he had been planning to do so at all.

“I did promise you didn’t l?” Damian took another step forward.

“Promise him what?” I snapped, attempting to step out from behind Troy.

Troy blocked me, pulling me back behind him. But Damian had seen me fully, and his eyes widened, then his mouth curled into a malicious smile.

“Well done, Troy.”

“Don’t speak to me, or to her. Leave, now!”

I’d never heard Troy speak in such a tone before, his voice carrying through the clearing in a crisp. commanding way

“I was going to make you my heir, you know. You, the rightful prince-but wait, Romero is dead, isn’t he Troy? My man Horace saw to that, for you.”

“What is he trying to say, Troy?” I whispered into his back.

“Why don’t you tell her for yourself, Troy? Who you really are?”

“I suspect she already knows.” Troy answered, his tone biting.

I had no idea what he meant, honestly. He was Madalynn’s child; I knew that much. He mentioned his father’s name had been Behar. And his grandfather was

“You’re a prince,” I said quietly, the pieces falling into place. I didn’t know why the thought hadn’t crossed my mind before.

“More than that,” Damian folded his hands behind his back and paced, meeting my eye. “He’s the hereditary Alpha of Poldesse.”

I bit my lip to prevent myself from saying my thoughts aloud. Surely, Troy wasn’t planning on acting on that

“It can be all yours, Troy. The Kingdom of the Isles. Valoria is weak, ready for your hand to rule. I paved the way for the dynasty your grandfather always wanted. All you have to do is give me the girl.”

“No,” Troy said firmly without hesitation.

your

“I didn’t know her,”

had she raised you. A better

not allow you to lay a hand

would it matter? I just need her blood. You can have the

lunged forward, knocking Damian flat on his back. But before I could act, the large man, Damian’s crony, had his arm around Troy’s neck

got to his feet, gracefully brushing the dirt from

Old Maeve would’ve given this man a piece of her mind, maybe even socked him straight in the

was

bellowed, just as the

Pete, who was still sprawled out on the ground. I caught myself on one of the

my hair as he yanked me off the beam and dragged me

of me!” I screeched, reaching up and pinching his hand

than me. I thrashed and squirmed against his hold on my hair until I

trying to twist out of the

top of Troy, his knee keeping Troy flat on his stomach. Troy was furious, his lips pulled back over his teeth. “If you shift, Troy, I’ll kill her right now, right in front

and closed my eyes, trying to

going to be

hair again, making me wince.

Troy? Spawn of a White Queen,” Damian pulled up the sleeve of

into power

on him, trying not to cry. Had it just been me, Damian would be on

consider. Damian needed me, and if I cooperated, I could likely secure Troy’s safety as

how to open the tomb?” I exhaled, turning to look

submission, but seemed pleased, loosening his grip on my

but you‘re not

me,” I said, my voice

it tightly as he let go of my hair completely and positioned himself between me and Troy, blocking Troy’s view of my face. I swallowed the fear that tightened my throat and waited for him to say, or

White Queen must be laid before the

all of the courage I had to speak

giving me a look of pure

door for you. I will show you how to

he contemplated his response.

decision, Damian,” I said, hoping he didn’t call my bluff. I didn’t know what to do with the moonstones

for a moment, then turned his head to look down at Troy. Shrugging, he handed me the knife, taking a step away from me lest i

in my hands. I could throw it at him, aiming for his neck, killing

that, the same man who had his huge hand pressing Troy’s

ahead, Princess,” Damian said calmly, tilting his head as he watched me while I lifted my hand up, bringing the tip of the knife to the palm of

blade sliced shallowly into my skin. Damian was grinning broadly, his eyes creasing with pure, unadulterated greed

as I stole a glance at Troy, who was glaring at me

do it,

in my gaze. Then I turned from him and walked to the entrance of Lycaon’s tomb, my breath catching in my throat as the air seemed to still around me,

What next?

out my hand, inhaling deeply, then placed it on the symbol in the center of the

electricity racing through my palm and up to the tips of my fingers. It was uncomfortable, but I fought against

Damian laughing behind me, his voice lifted in excitement as

around my chest and moving me out of harm’s way as the door splintered and fell away in large

already inside

for the first

we have to get Pete and get back to the

Troy. Do you not remember what

can’t use it without you,” Troy protested, his voice a low