Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 93 : The Beta of Poldesse

Maeve

The gardens at the castle were very much changed with the season. Winter had yellowed and dried the leaves to a chilled crisp, and the garden was littered with foliage debris. It was cold, but not like the bitter, dry cold of Winter Forest. Here, the air still seemed thick with moisture, and the gray sky seemed more apt to rain than snow. 

I wondered about the boys as I followed Troy, Keaton, and my dad into the sanctuary of the lower garden. The nanny Geor gia and Talon had hired to help care for Ernest when he was young had come out of retirement to help with the three new in fants at the castle. She was a seasoned professional, and Mom had chosen to stay behind to help, but I was still weary, especially since whatever conversation was about to take place would likely take a while.

Troy stepped into the gazebo, motioning for Keaton to sit down. Keaton was eyeing Dad suspiciously, but sat down nonetheless, crossing his arms over his chest as he settled back against a wrought iron chair.

Dad was well aware of our time spent in Dianny. Mom had been briefed as well, but I doubted either of them fully understood the shock Keaton, Troy, and I felt at the news that Tasia may have destroyed the ancient pack.

“Robbie’s alive,” Keaton said with soberness in his voice. “So is his mate, Alison. They made it out before shit really hit the fan.”

“What exactly happened?” Troy took a seat across from Keaton, but Dad had chosen to stand, leaning against one of the

stone columns that supported the roof of the gazebo. I leaned as well, enjoying a moment of physical activity after spending most of the last week in bed, covered in babies.

“Tasia she… well, I guess I should start by saying Una is dead, as is her husband, and most if not all of Tasia’s siblings.”

“What?” | could barely believe it. Tasia was the eldest of her siblings, and she couldn’t have been much older than myself.

Keaton nodded, his eyes wide as he stared down at his shoes. He shivered, then shook his head, looking into Troy’s eyes. “It was mayhem from what Robbie said. Tasia declared herself Al pha, but the pack revolted against her. That’s when Robbie and Alison left with those who didn’t want to fight, or couldn’t. Mostly families. We brought them all to the isles… so many children. Or phans, now. Tasia brought the whole damn valley in on itself. There’s nothing left but stone.”

“She… what? What do you mean she brought down the val ley?” | asked, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

“Robbie said they had just arrived at the shore when what felt like an earthquake rocked the jungle. They camped on the shore for a week before we arrived and rescued them. I sent… I sent a few scouts back to Dianny. There’s nothing left. It’s buried under hundreds of feet of stone. The village. The lake. It’s gone.”

“Oh, my Goddess,” | whispered, wrapping my arms around the column for support. I looked up at Dad, who was listening to Keaton with a blank expression.

“And Robbie is here, in Mirage?” Troy asked. Keaton nodded, then shrugged.

“Aye, he is. The women wanted to gather some supplies be fore we left the port again-clothes and toys for the children back

on Suntra. That’s where they’re all staying now, you see, at our old compound. They’re all that’s left of The Daughters of Artemis now.”

“I’d like to talk to him, get his word about the disaster,” Dad stepped forward, tucking his hands in his pockets. “What’s his full name? I assume everyone is staying at the inn in Old Town?”

“Robert Arlo,” Troy answered, nodding his head in agree ment. “We do need to speak to him, Keat. We need to know what we’re dealing with here.”

Keaton crossed his ankles, leaning back in his chair. “We’re dealing with a power-hungry mad woman. What more is there to say?”

To my surprise, it was Dad who replied, telling Keaton in de tail what had happened in Winter Forest. Keaton listened in shock, especially when Dad began to explain how we combined the moonstones.

“Well, we’re all going to die,” Keaton deadpanned.

Dad stared at him, his brow arched. But Troy chuckled, cross ing his leg over his knee as he leaned back in his own chair.

“And it sounds like Maeve almost died already, anyway,” Keaton added.

“Oh, I did die,” I said lightly. Troy stopped chuckling, his face falling in sudden remembrance. “Too soon?”

said sternly, step ping forward into the center of the circle. “You

little bit, glancing at Troy

touching his lips. “Aye,

in Mirage for another two

I asked, thoroughly in the dark. I thought we were leaving for Winter Forest on Friday and wasn’t aware that our plans

to announce-” Dad said, but Troy jumped to his feet,

for a moment, alone,” he said quick ly, nodding

turning to me with his arm outstretched to lead me back

***

Troy

invaded, much had been done to repair and rebuild the damage to the old village, but there was still a long way to go.

to be

to the inn to get Robbie?” Keaton asked, kick ing

chewing on the inside of my lower lip as I tried to muster the courage to say what I needed to say.

of Poldesse. That’s partly what this conference is about. The Alpha’s of the

sia, and Ethan will be

we already had this conversation,” Keaton

me the second I stepped

accepting the title?” he asked

to be a

she

I doubt we’ll have to worry about that for a long time. The boys will be grown by the time

boys? I still can’t believe you

Every day is a blur.” I couldn’t help but laugh. I wanted to go back to the castle as soon as I fetched Rob bie, Myla, and Cleo. I wanted nothing more than to witness Maeve’s reunion with them, and to see them gush

title of Alpha of Poldesse, Troy. Is that what

course not,” | tucked my chilled fingers in my pockets, looking straight ahead as we began to near the inn near the train station. “But what choice do I have? This is

decades since the people of the Isles have had a real pack to be a part of. Damian’s rule was… not what it

of those who don’t agree?” Keaton rounded on me, crossing

force anyone to pledge their loyalty. I won’t be collect ing tribute. I’ll just be there; that’s what’s important. And Keaton, look,

“Where?”

drew in my breath, unsure if I wanted to hear his answer. “I want you to

Keaton replied without hesitation as he began walking

exhaled, rolling my eyes as I caught up to him. “Why

not?”

master, and I don’t

the hell are

more, his eyes narrowed as he leaned

You know

having a known pirate and smuggler as the Beta of Poldesse? hmm? And your fa ther-in-law? That man wanted nothing more than to rip me to shreds in the foyer of that castle you’re

s “Be my Beta!”

the Isles have had a real pack to be a part

who don’t agree?” Keaton rounded on

won’t force anyone to pledge their loyalty. I won’t be collect ing tribute. I’ll just

“Where?”

to hear his answer. “I want