Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 323

Chapter 103: Betrayal

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The rectory rose above the University of Mirage, perched atop a hill adjacent to the magnificent Temple of the Moon Goddess, which signified the place as not only a religious sanctuary, but the true capital of both Valoria and the Church.

Mom was keeping in step with me as we followed Troy up the paved pathway leading up the hill. She sighed deeply, picking at a loose thread on her blue chunky-knit sweater.

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She was upset about something. I believed wholehearted ly it had to do with the fact we were all sitting ducks while Ta sia hid somewhere nearby, waiting to strike.

“Did you know the White Queens split with the Church of the Moon Goddess?” I asked as we continued what felt like a

slow, endless climb towards the rectory.

“Yes, I did. That ended with my reign, however. We estab lished new ties with the Church shortly after you were born.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Mom laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, sweetheart, I did. It was taught in school. You just never listened.”

I frowned, tucking a loose lock of hair behind my ear. “I did listen-”

“Not often enough,” she teased, giving me a knowing

smile.

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I had a feeling karma for being a total pain in my parents’ ass was going to catch up to me as the years went by. I could already see the gleam of mischief in the eyes of Oli and Will. Charlie was our angel, at least for now.

“Troy, why didn’t Dad want to come with us today?” I asked as we neared the rectory.

Troy turned to us, meaning to part with us and go to the rectory himself while we met with the High Priestess of the Church.

“He and Rowan are putting a force together to find Hay den and Carl. I’m meeting up with them later and then—” he paused, looking from me to Mom. “I’m going to be going with your dad to locate them-and Ta’sia.”

“What?” I roared, which startled several people minding their own business as they sat on the benches along the path

way.

“We can talk about it later, Maeve,” he said with force, and

in front of Mom, too.

I felt heat prickle across my cheeks, running my tongue along my lower lip as I thought of a retort, but Mom took my hand and began to lead me away toward the temple.

“We’re already late, honey-”

“You’ re not going AN,chapter_version=chapter_version +1 WHERE until we have a chance to talk about this, Troy!” I said over my shoulder, giving him my best “mom look” that I had been practicing in the mirror the past few days.

Troy was oblivious to it and seemed heavily distracted. He

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had barely said a word to me about the stranger who had come to the gala. He had barely explained what he had found in the journal last night, too. Both he and Dad were being ex ceedingly secretive.

He turned toward the rectory without saying a word, and I turned my head back to the temple, vexed beyond a responsi ble doubt.

“I’m willing to assume the Priestess will need to speak to me more than she needs to speak with you, honey. You can join him after we show both of our faces, at least.”

“Hopefully, there’s a darkened corner where I can ring his

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too hard

neck-”

being distant and se cretive,

as harsh as they sounded. I could tell they had hurt her. She didn’t reply, the silence loud

“I’m sorry, Mama.”

I understand why you’re

do you do it? Be married to a man who-who does things, alone?

a lifelong prac tice, honey. But I trust your father. Just like I hope you will trust Troy’s judgment here. We may be White Queens, but they are men. And we have

times.”

as we walked up the steps to the temple and

ironic. She walked with grace, and talked with grace, but her words were often harsh and sharpened to such an edge I felt as though they could

Mom and me was obvious. Maybe those ties Mom was talking about hadn’t been met with as much support as

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tour of the temple, which felt wholly unnecessary, especially as she explained certain rites and ceremonies we were already familiar with. Mom seemed to grow in annoyance as I glanced at her, her arms folded

problem with us?” I said, done with

unbothered by my question, and answered

the same texts. I believe your attitude has more to do with the fact the White

I said, pagans. Witches, if I can be

this woman’s tone toward my mom. I didn’t

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didn’t lash out. She stood calmly, peering at

I appreciate your gracious tour, I am more interested in what you want to know about the moonstone. Such a pagan thing, I

Grace, who had balled her hands

fists.

She was taller than Mom but not taller than me, and I had to look down

I need it returned to

to tap her finger on the moon dial. “The moonstone

thankful to have her back to her full health. She seemed to glow in the light coming through the glass ceiling of the cathedral,

use of the moonstones as singular, which matched Grace’s response. She had no idea

skin as I watched Grace stare Mom down, her face perfectly

don’t have it,

lied, her tone soft

steeled my own expression, hoping the flush prickling across my cheeks didn’t give anything away. I couldn’t lie to save

“Then where is it?”

is so important to the Church to have it in their

her lower lip, looking thor oughly irked

to the Moon Goddess, regardless of whose possession they are in.

Damian in the overthrow of

I fought as hard as I could to stay upright as Mom stared blankly at Grace, tilting her head to the

know

gotten the map? You said it yourself. The Church lays claim to all artifacts

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swallowed, then began to back away from

moon dial. Mom followed.

you working with? Is it

her robes when Mom said Tasia’ s

speak

Will she hear us? Is

the Moon Goddess, Queen Maeve. You

about something that hap pened thousands of years ago. She is a girl with powers she doesn’t understand and powers she refuses to use for good. Had the Church not

how do you know

to wear us down, and Mom had been in on her grand scheme the entire time. Grace was the High Priestess. She was part of the High Elder Council. She was

is she?” Mom bit out, anger bringing

she turned into a darkened hallway, leaving us alone in the

the hell was that all about?” I hissed, my voice echoing on the walls despite my attempt to

Tem ple untouched during their invasion, while they wrecked prac tically everything else. It was especially odd that

hit the

toward the entrance now. I followed, looking over my shoulder at

I asked as we stepped outside, the bitter chill of the

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