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.”

I murmured, and then I walked

oven mitts. She was pouring a

but sparsely decorated. It was a small space, an open kitchen and living room

newer houses near the coastline, which were larger and more modern. This

There was

living room, its

somewhere?” I

from

hair as he looked at Hanna, a silent conversation passing between them. Her eyes softened, and

I asked, unable to

me the new

“Since when?” | stammered.

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

me anything!” I said, throwing my

air.

smile, then reached into an upper cabinet for two extra mugs

this mean Ernest and Gemma are

nodded, bending down to unlace

I was thankful for the distraction of Rowan’s big news, especially since Hanna was being silent as a mouse.

friend Pete’s mate?” Rowan asked as he went into the kitchen.

was going on with

Troy told me

her voice much lighter than her commanding

of recognition swept over me once again, and I turned to her, unable to stop myself from speaking. “You gave me the ring,

I don’t know why I thought you

said weakly, trying to make sense

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 myself wanting answers about Rowan and

you two? Are you

I say,” Rowan bit out, his

shocked, however. She stepped around the kitchen counter

to go back to Red Lakes and take the stones with me, to lead Tasia away from Winter Forest.” Hanna set her own mug on top of the wood

dead, for one. She failed the first time she tried to kill her,

to look at me, pondering my words. She looked as though she hadn’t

Lakes doesn’t have the army you’d

this fight will

as she sat down on the other end of the couch. Rowan sat down on the floor next to the wood stove, crossing his legs and

fight… me. And

know what you were getting into,” Rowan said, trying to reassure

him so lovesick. And he’s going to

a dirty look but kept

pausing to sip from my tea, “I need you. I don’t understand our connection. I don’t have my powers; they never came. But you and I… I truly

Maeve.” Hanna looked down at

face lined with uncertainty.

Lycaonic cult, and Opaline, that crazy Lycennian woman. I think I can handle whatever comes next.” I couldn’t help but smile around Opaline’s name, knowing

exhaled deeply, then glanced at

Rowan whispered,

sat in awkward silence for a moment, watching them just stare at each other. I wanted to say that if

Troy and forgive him, Hanna and Rowan could work through whatever it was

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

said ‘get on with it,’ and he nodded tightly, turning his gaze back

need your help,” he said, explaining the situation

as Rowan explained what was happening with the triplets, and her gaze wavered when he started to talk about the third baby’s heart, and the plan to go to Mirage to

I shifted uncomfortably on the couch,