Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

97: A Family Matter

“And they really didn’t talk about Tasia at all?” Myla moved about the room, glancing at her reflection in the mirror as she examined her hair. It had been styled in long, thin braids that touched her waist and had been woven with strips. of turquoise silk. They had been fashioned in an intricate up do, and the bun of braids on the top of her head had been decorated with tiny jewels shaped like seashells. She looked absolutely exquisite, and I was very much looking forward to whatever dress she was wearing tonight.

I had forced Mom and Dad to include Myla, Cleo, and Ali son, who I was just getting to know, in our dress order for the gala being held at the castle to celebrate not only Rowan’s coronation but mine and Troy’s. It was a huge ask, but I had gotten my way, and now all of the women in my circle would be decked out in brand-new gowns and shoes for the event.

Keaton, however, had refused to let Ethan pay for Myla’s gown. He had purchased something for her himself, and its design was a secret. Keaton had agreed to come to the gala, mostly at Myla’s urging.

“Not a single word was spoken about it, according to Rowan and Troy,” Gemma said as a maid unwound her hair from several huge hot rollers.

I was only slightly worried about talking about Tasia in front of the maids, who were known to gossip. But to them, our conversation likely sounded like nothing more than a

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shared annoyance over a random woman, not an evil Dream Dancing sorceress who had just killed her entire pack.

“How odd,” I murmured, catching my own reflection in the mirror. I wasn’t totally happy with what I saw. I felt puffy, and no amount of concealer was going to cover the dark circles beneath my eyes.

“I’m sure the Alphas of the east are aware; how could they not be?” Myla peered down at her fresh manicure with inter

est.

“Dad is likely being picky with who he tells. I’m sure he still believes this is a family matter. Plus, Tasia hasn’t done any thing for weeks, not since what happened to Mom and Hanna in the temple. No one has seen or heard from her.” I rose from the vanity, waiting my turn to have the rollers taken from my hair. I looked at the dresses that were hanging from the canopy of my four-poster bed in clear garment bags.

I touched the bag that held the elaborate garment I was meant to wear. It was a soft baby blue gown with long sleeves made of sheer blue fabric, and the entire dress had tiny, embroidered silver and turquoise stars with pearls in their centers, making them look like little flowers.

It was a beautiful dress, styled in the official colors of the pack of Poldesse-blue, turquoise, and silver.

Tonight, I would be crowned Luna of Poldesse.

And I felt nothing but anxiety about the fact that nearly every Alpha and Beta of the pack lands would be in atten dance.

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“What if Tasia strikes tonight, at the gala?” I whispered,

turning away from the dress.

Myla looked at me, her brow furrowed. “Oh, Maeve. Don’t think like that.”

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she would, Maeve. If she plans on taking over the pack lands, she’d have no one to rule if she killed all the Al phas.”

tucking my hands in the pockets of my robe as I sat down in front of the vanity again, letting the maid

of another maid, who was carrying a very fussy George on her hip. I fed each triplet, my breasts feeling raw from the amount of breastfeeding and pumping I had been doing the entire day to

Oliver seemed happy to just be getting fed, and Ingra had

nuzzled against her, closing his eyes. Gem ma then crossed the room

one of the biggest nights of your life, you know. Try to

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I said soberly, not sure if I

as Ingra took her leave with them. I turned to the garment bag that held the dress, reaching up to unzip it so I could run my fingers

or so now before

ease the second I saw him,

Troy looked like a totally

behind his ears. He was clean-shaven, of course, and his skin was still sun-kissed from our time spent on the Persephone. He was wearing a black tuxedo that fit

sash the same color as my dress, and it was emblazoned with the official emblems of Poldesse that showcased Poldesse’s flag. Below the emblem of the flag was a crest. It was covered in jewels, and at its center was a wax ing gibbous moon. Etched into the crest were some words written in a language I couldn’t read. I peered at it, tilting my head as I tried to decipher the strange symbols. He

the pack motto. Lynus said it hasn’t been worn

I whispered, then I realized I had no idea what the motto for Drogomor or Winter Forest was.

expected to be dressed in their finest outfits

over

on his chest. “I don’t want to get

weak, and any anxiety I had been feeling was suddenly replaced by

pulled away from the kiss, reaching down to the vanity to grab a tissue so I could wipe the soft berry-colored

rather nice on you,” I said softly,

him.

to mess up my hair and makeup.

skip the gala,”

be coming a Luna tonight.

sheer weight of my dress and the amount of flowing fabric was going to make the journey to the ballroom difficult without using the

for support.

foyer, dressed to the nines. Jewelry gleamed in the light of the foyer’s grand crystal chandelier, and everyone turned to look at us as we descended the stairs, their hair fixed,

curves in a way I hadn’t thought possible. The fact that she had an almost four-month-old baby seemed unimaginable as

well, and I wasn’t surprised when I caught Ernest trying his hardest not

like a flame. It was an incredible color on her, and the amber hues reflected in her eyes, which turned her normally cinnamon colored irises flaked with green on fire. Her hair was loose down her back, pinned away from her face, and

embarrassed as Paul and Vicky fussed over her, but I was willing to bet the color in her cheeks was more