Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 88: The Seer

Maeve

Rowan and I walked in silence along the trail that led from the house to the old village. Small log cabins were scattered through the woods, their chimneys puffing smoke that hung in the air, mingling with the falling snow. 

If Dad had known I was going out for a walk with Rowan, he would’ve stopped me, making me lay down and continue to listen to everyone arguing over my condition. But I felt better in the fresh air, our slow, easy walk alleviating my stress.

“I remember feeling stuck for a long time,” Rowan said as we crunched through the stone, his voice a low whisper. “Funny how you fall into a routine for so long that time feels endless, do you know what I mean? And then one thing changes and everything is upended.”

I considered his words, breathing deeply. The air was rich with chilled moisture, and I let it course through my veins and fill. my lungs, calming me. “Time moves fast in chaos,” I said, finishing what he was meaning to say. 

“I’m sorry I haven’t spoken to you much since you got home.”

“Well, I understand why after meeting that crazy old woman from Lycenna. What was her name again?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t really care. Look, Maeve-” He turned to me, taking me by the shoulders. “I knew you were going to be okay this whole time. I knew you were fine when the letters

stopped coming. I knew…I knew you could handle whatever situation you faced after what happened in Mirage.

“I did my best to stop Mom and Dad from acting on impulse and starting a war with Poldesse over your disappearance. But we’re in deep now. I can’t make heads or tails.of what we need to do. It sounds like an absolute shitstorm is coming our way, and I need you on my side.”

“Of-of course, Rowan. What the hell else would I be doing?”

Rowan pursed his lips, squeezing my shoulders. “I like Troy. I really do.”

“I like him too,” I laughed, missing Troy immensely. The only time we seemed to have with each other was late at night, sleeping in the same way we used to sleep on the Persephone before I forgave him, when he’d sleep on the floor while I slept in the bed, our fingers knitted together.

Now we slept that way because we couldn’t fit comfortably in the same small bed with my stomach in the way, but it still felt intimate.

“I think you’ll like Hanna. But she’s different, okay? Quiet. She doesn’t tend to speak unless spoken to. I don’t want you to be… mean. Got it? Can you just cool it, for a few minutes, and let her help you?”

“I’m not mean!” | swatted him, and he let go of my shoulders, arching his brow. 

“Just let me lead, alright?”

“Sure,” I huffed, falling back in step as we continued through

the woods. The only light was that of lanterns hung on the porches we passed, and every once in a while, a wolf darted past us in the distance.

I wondered if Rowan had taken Troy out in their wolf forms yet to explore. It was something I had always wanted to do when I came into my powers. And now I likely would never have the chance.

“Things are complicated between Hanna and me. She’s struggling.”

“With what?”

“What all of this means for her, for us. Imagine someone telling you you’re going to be the mother of the second coming of the Moon Goddess. That would freak anyone out.”

“I can’t believe that woman actually said that to her. I was shocked, and people have been telling me crazy things for months now. We’re in a living, breathing fairytale, Rowan.”

“Better buckle up, huh? What a ficking ride.”

| smiled, tucking my chilled fingers in my pockets. I could tell Rowan wanted to say more, but he was struggling to form the words. Rowan thought before he spoke, something I had yet to fully master. He was going to make a great Alpha one day.

Before long, we reached a cabin nestled against a rocky bluff on the outskirts of the old village. Rowan helped me up the steps, which were slick with ice. “There’s ice-melt in the garage”

“You think I’m going to drag a bag of ice-melt all the way

over here?” he laughed, shaking his head as he knocked lightly on the door before turning the knob. “I’ll chip the ice away when it stops snowing.”

then

her hands tucked into floral print oven mitts. She was pouring a

a small space, an open kitchen and living room with two bedrooms in the back, typical for the cabins of the

larger and more modern. This space was quaint, charming,

was an odd catch

living room, its lid open. It

somewhere?” I asked her

from me

at Hanna, a silent conversation passing between them.

unable to hide

making me the new

“Since when?” | stammered.

a few days ago. I found out the same day the Lycennians

I

air.

smile, then reached into an upper

Ernest and Gemma are staying in Winter Forest?” I

nodded, bending down to unlace

exclaimed, plopping down on the couch. I was thankful for the distraction of Rowan’s big news, especially since Hanna

Your friend Pete’s mate?” Rowan asked as he went into the kitchen. He gave Hanna the softest, most loving smile I had ever seen, but

going on with

I haven’t seen Pete since we arrived. Troy told me

sister, I’m afraid,” Hanna said, her voice much lighter than her commanding

and I turned to her, unable to stop myself from speaking. “You gave me the ring, didn’t

don’t know why I thought you needed

said weakly, trying to make sense of it. All

only nodded, looking exceedingly forlorn. As much as I needed to talk to her about how her powers connected to me and everything I had been through over the past several months, I found

with you two?

say,” Rowan bit out, his cheeks reddening

shocked, however. She stepped around the kitchen counter and walked over to me, handing me

stones with me, to lead Tasia away from Winter Forest.” Hanna set her own mug on top of the wood stove to keep it

won’t matter. She wants Mom dead, for

me, pondering my words. She looked as though she

I know Red Lakes doesn’t have the army you’d need to

think this fight

Rowan sat down on the floor next to the wood stove, crossing his legs

Tasia will want to fight… me. And I failed

fail, Hanna. You and Mom didn’t know what you were

you, for one. I’ve never seen him

gave me a dirty look

need you. I don’t understand our connection. I don’t have my powers; they never came. But you and I… I truly feel like

Maeve.” Hanna looked

face lined with uncertainty.

think I can handle whatever comes next.” I couldn’t help but smile around Opaline’s name, knowing she

deeply, then glanced at Rowan.

whispered, looking

stare at each other. I wanted to say that if I could make

Rowan could work through whatever it was that

I wasn’t here to play matchmaker. In fact, I wasn’t entirely

with it,’ and he nodded tightly, turning his gaze back

your help,” he said, explaining the situation

he started to talk about the third baby’s heart, and the plan to go to Mirage to deliver as soon

paused for a long moment, gathering his thoughts. I shifted uncomfortably on