Sold 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 son, right?”

“Yeah, that’s the guy.”

a fairy tale?

thought so too, but this map… it’s authentic. At least, it looks to be. Whoever made it, well, they made it a long time ago. I think I could get

is after. Wouldn’t he be

paused, unsure of how to tell her about our last night in the castle. “Horace

what?” she was shocked, her

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36: Everything in

how Ernest and Gemma came with me to see

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. I agreed because well, Damian knew my parents. At least he said he did. He said Romero was my grandfather and that he-look, I just needed to

She

the whole story, huh? Yeah, I knew he

you what he told me,” she

promise I won’t tell him you told me; how

once, a brief smile touching her lips. I felt a little sick at the sight; it was the first time I’d seen her smile

said something about you being the key, Maeve. Do you have any idea what he

shook her head, her brow knitted in a

deciding not to tell her about Romero’s desire for Maeve to produce an heir for

Southern Pass,” she said, her voice wavering. “He said

why?” I asked, hoping she could see the sense in

put us at

all. It’s unlikely Damian will try anything; he won’t invade Winter Forest. Your mother

not worried about my mom, Troy. I’m worried

**Your dad?”

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.

when I sat down next to her, taking the map from her

can I trust you after everything that has

The Persephone sticks out; it’s known in the port cities. We have to get far away

a war over this,

wants, I think. There’s nothing

silence for a moment, shoulder

lock Gemma in the

I was in there with

said, her voice cracking with emotion as she laughed

and Keaton are mates?” I asked, looking over

up yet, though. She doesn’t know. That’s all she ever talked about. There was nothing else

are the odds, huh? That they’d find

cracking in her voice. She looked down at her lap, tears falling down

That’s why I told you we couldn’t go looking for him. He… Ernest was my friend, Maeve. I really liked the guy. He trusted me like I’ m asking you to trust me

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36: Everything in

“I need time, Troy.”