Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 18 Is It Really Warren?

I tried my best not to let my irritation show on my face as I digested the name the redheaded girl had just divulged.

She was under the impression that my brother might be the one person on the planet who could save the life of the woman I was meant to have a child with.

I needed to concentrate on the fact that the blood within the girl was the most vital part of the equation to me. I had no reason to want to see any harm befall Ciana. She was nice enough, I supposed, but to me, her true value lay in the blood coursing through her veins.

“Shall I send for Prince Warren, Your Highness?” Dottie asked me respectfully.

“No,” I said immediately, my voice stern enough that everyone in the room flinched. I took a deep breath to steel myself. “I will fetch him myself.”

The moment I walked into the hallway, my head cleared a bit, and I felt like I could pull a full breath of oxygen into my lungs. Something about being in that room with all of those concerned people had been like a weight on my shoulders. But now… my thoughts were sharper. I could sense reason.

Winding my way to the other side of the palace where my brother’s rooms were, I took my time.

He only needed to give it a try so we could see if it worked, but there was no need for him to know that Ciana was fond of

him….

Two guards stood here, neither saying anything to me but making a sign of respect. Unlike me, Warren was constantly surrounded by people. They knocked and opened the door for me.

My brother was clutching a book in his hand. “Oh, Theo,” he said, setting the book aside. Obviously, he was enjoying a leisurely evening. “What in the world brings you here?”

“I have a bit of an issue, and I was hoping you could help.” I tried to keep my tone as relaxed as possible.

Immediately, my overly helpful brother snapped to attention. “Of course. What is it?”

“One of the girls who is here as part of Father’s task was unconscious. Dottie thinks it may be a sleeping spell… a curse of some sort. There’s a possibility that you might be the one to wake her.”

“That sounds just awful!” he said, resting his palm against his heart. “The poor girl! Why does Dottie think I can be of

assistance?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” I lied. “I guess… perhaps… you know the girl… well?”

“Who is it?” he asked, leaning toward me slightly as he shook his head. “I haven’t spent much time with any of the girls. They are here for you, after all.”

Why did I feel relieved? Whether he knew Ciana well or not had nothing to do with me!

With a sharp nod, I tried to forget all of the times I had seen him with her myself. “She’s called… Ciana, I believe,” I said, forcing nonchalance into each word

“Ciana?” he repeated, his eyes widening. “Oh! Oh, no!”

you do know that one?” I asked, sarcasm dripping from the question even

do. I ran into her a few times. Such a sweet, intelligent

asked, folding my arms. “I guess you

attendant now?” Warren asked

“You know, they all sort of

said, putting on a jacket. “Although, I hardly doubt there’s much I can do. It’ s unfortunate that I

leave the room when we realized that he had another visitor who

looked familiar to me… I wondered how

spared her a glance

“Your Highness! Please!”

We both stopped.

or you?” Warren whispered. “What’s her name

looked over at

for you, right?

the girl who’d withheld the food from Ciana and Brook, allegedly on

she said, dipping her head. Then, she turned to me. “I beg your forgiveness,

evening, Miss-?”

Sir, but I’ve been studying sleeping sicknesses like this one for many years, and I don’t believe one exists like your pack healer is

our conversation?”

cast on her, and if you are

inconsequential as her!”

already dealt with her, but this wasn’t the right time. I was about to step forward and pull Warren away when I heard him say, “Miss Chambers!” His

of her for feeding the animals and made demands of her

the girl’s eyes as she looked up at him. “Forgive me, My Prince. I was

said to her, and with that, he turned around, a more determined look on his face than ever, and he began walking

to see that he had put the other girl in her place and was resolved to help Ciana, but I didn’t particularly like that he was so protective

chambers, Brook was still there, sitting on a settee across the room

I let myself imagine she was resting, dreaming, and I wasn’t able to peel my eyes away from her. But then I forced those thoughts

sat down on the bed next to her, concern marring his handsome face as he studied her. He picked up her delicate hand in his and stroked it

I? I pulled her hand out

hours,” I

“Poor girl,” he sighed.

Highness, if you simply press your fingers to her forehead, if you are truly

him all of that, and I could see he was surprised. “But why would she -” He stopped talking, his shock not allowing him to finish

sentence.

said from her seat across the room. “She often spoke of how kind you were

smiled at one another for a moment

Ciana.

I was going to be sick. It must have been because I