Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 17: The One She Cares for the Most

I let out a low whistle, and the next moment, a lion came flying through the doorway, aiming right for my assailant, who had to let go of me.

Perceval slithered in, tripping Luther up, and the Samson the tiger came charging in with a roar and forced the man to back further away.

I rushed to Brook and wrapped my arms around her. “We need to get out of here,” I whispered to her. “Are you well enough to stand?”

She had a confused look on her face as her eyes shifted back and forth, but she quickly collected her senses and gave me a firm nod.

As we moved toward the door, I caught a glimpse of Luther. He pulled a long blade from somewhere I hadn’t seen and swiped at Linus, cutting the lion in the leg, then he turned to the tiger and did the same.

“No!” I cried. The last thing I wanted was for my friends to get hurt.

He kicked Perceval aside and quickly closed the gap between us. I realized that the animals were outmatched by him since he had weapons, and that Brook and I would be as well. I could only pray that with the animals running through the palace to get here, it had caused enough commotion to draw the attention of the guards.

“Brook, keep running and get help!” I was about to stop and go back to deal with the attacker when I heard a piercing howl. We turned around and saw a large wolf. It was

beautiful-its fur was a deep onyx black that shimmered in the light, with glimmering gold stripes on both sides of its back.

That had to be Prince Theo.

He took one look at the bleeding animals and went after Luther, who still hadn’t shifted.

Luther swiped at the upper shoulder of the wolf. Theo lunged at him anyway, pushing the attacker backward, causing Luther to almost collide with us. Immediately, the tables had turned on this battle.

I let out a breath of relief. The most powerful warrior of the country had arrived, I knew we were safe. But then Luther let out a chuckle and whispered in a voice that only I was close enough to hear, “Naughty girl….”

Before he stood to go after the prince again, he shoved something in my hand. “You may think you know everything, Ciana, but you don’t. Use that when you want to see me again -if you’re still alive then.”

Everything happened so fast, and before I knew it, Theo went after Luther again. The kidnapper was back up, swinging the blade toward the prince’s wolf.

I didn’t have time to stand around and see who won the fight because Brook still looked quite concerned. “It’s all right,” I told her. “The prince will protect us.” I believed those words, and as he went at the man again, I saw his teeth chomp down on the hand holding the blade. The kidnapper roared, let the

blade go, and tossed himself into the woods.

Night had completely engulfed the forest. Knowing that we were safe now, Brook and I dropped on the ground to catch our breaths, then I heard a familiar voice behind us.

“What did you think you were doing, leaving the castle like that?!” he asked, storming up behind us and dropping a shirt over his head. The fact that his clothing wasn’t shredded made me think he must’ve undressed before he shifted, rather than just bursting into his wolf to run into the house to save

1. us.

Priorities….

get to Brook,” I

it might be a stress headache from too much excitement all in one day. I loosened my grip slightly on my friend, which was her cue to break away from me. She took

coming up on my other side. “This is what

good, Brook would’ve never been kidnapped by Luther to begin with,” I said, tilting my head up. to stare down my nose at him the best I could, considering he was a

he asked. He had a bit of blood on his neck, chest, and

was from our

so I didn’t lose my footing as he continued to berate me. “Whoever that was… your job is

formed in my field of vision. How badly did I want to tell him where he could shove that

romantic! He loves you so much, he can’t stand the idea of the two of you ever

wasn’t it at all, but then I remembered I was supposed to be pretending that Theo and I were in love-to everyone.

head was beginning to splinter now. Every ounce of light was like an icicle being

me in a voice that seemed quite a

way… running from prince… you….” My words were becoming jumbled, and I suddenly had to stop

at her, and I thought she was going to

reached up for me, I realized it wasn’t her that

It was me.

me. I heard Brook scream, and then, both of them faded away and all I could think about was how unbelievably badly my head

*****

*Theo*

into my arms. She didn’t answer though, and as her friend began to scream, all I could do was

did

my room. Her blubbering

for me. They waited for her friend to catch up, but I sprinted down the hallway and shoved my bedroom door open with my foot as I backed into the

royal healer Dottie, a larger woman who was old enough. to be my mother, went about checking her-listening to her heart, checking her pulse, all of the things one usually did when someone was involved in some sort of an accident or

attack.

ordinary injury.” She turned to face me. “I’m afraid the girl has had a curse cast

plummeted at the words. It

cry again. Jake handed her

things to think about than the fact that the redhead was crying once more.

blood at the next Blood

bit to learn about different magic and potions

certainly fell into the realm

She arranged her hair so that it was lying neatly around her face, framing

not pay attention to her eyes-she was kind, witty, and brave,

now, her eyes were closed, and I couldn’t deny her

was so still, like she was sleeping. No, at a time like this, I couldn’t let such thoughts invade

any ideas?” I asked Dottie, wondering if I should head to the library and begin looking