Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 24: Should I Date Him?

*Warren*

Sitting on the bench in the gardens, sipping wine, and listening to Ciana’s story, wave after wave of confusion washed over me.

She was speaking about an incident eight years ago, and yet… I didn’t remember it at all.

Lost in the woods? Wounded? Collecting a flower blossom for her from the top of a mountain on the cliff? I was fairly certain that if I had been there, I would remember at least a bit of this.

When she concluded her story with, “When I saw your bracelet, I knew for sure… you were the one. You were the young man I found in the woods all of those years ago. All this time, I have been dreaming of meeting you again.” Her cheeks blush a dark crimson, and I understood that she was saying these things as more than just a girl who has found a long lost friend.

She had feelings for this young man-for me?

“Wow…” I said, not sure how else to respond. “All of this time….”

“Right?” She beamed and then looked away from me, sipping her wine. “I can’t tell you how happy I was to find out it was you.” She wouldn’t look at me now, and I felt my own heat speeding up.

Ciana was a beautiful young lady. Her long blonde hair and light colored eyes that glimmer in the moonlight make her stand out, even above all of the other girls that had been brought to the castle by my father to court my brother.

Any man would be happy to be paired with such a lovely woman. Any, except for my brother. Just thinking about Theo set my mood off, so I decided not to think about him at all.

But the story Ciana had told me didn’t line up at all with how I’ d gotten this bracelet. She seemed certain that this was the same bracelet, too, the one she’d given to the young man.

So… how had my sister come across it?

I remember distinctly the day my older sister, Maggie, gave it to me, slipping it onto my wrist as she told me it would be a good luck charm for me, that she’d found it in a special place, and it would bring me blessings if I wore it every day.

Well, if it brought me to Ciana, then… my sister was right. It was definitely good luck.

Nevertheless, something wasn’t adding up here. Perhaps I was so injured in the woods that I simply couldn’t remember the events?

No, I was positive I had never been in that sort of situation. Whoever she’d met in the woods, it wasn’t me.

When she turned to look at me again, her cheeks were still pink, and she was smiling so happily at me, I couldn’t bring myself to be the one to make that smile fade. Rather than telling her the truth, I said, “I’ve always wondered what happened to that girl in the woods.” Her smile widened even

more. “It’s amazing that fate has brought us together again.”

“Yes, isn’t it?” she agreed, laughing softly before she diverted her gaze again. She raised the red liquid to her perfect pink lips again and took a sip.

I was lost in her smile for a moment.

I could tell Dottie hadn’t told me everything, and that made me curious. I’ d wanted to know how it was possible that Ciana could wake up on

helpful books. I’d spent quite a bit of time reading them because, honestly, my schedule was fairly empty most of

how some of the most dangerous, deadliest curses could not be completely cast on those who

that Ciana was one of those special

of people in my kingdom believed in the power of the Moon Goddess anymore or worshiped her

explain how my brother had become slightly interested in her. Perhaps he

my spine, just thinking about it. All of a

all right?” Ciana

forced a smile, despite my thoughts lingering on Theo. “I’m fine. I was

I couldn’t help but reach over and brush her hair

and excitement

she escaped my brother’s dungeon to make her way home when it was so far away, over such rough terrain. I couldn’t imagine any other girls in her group would’ ve even thought about trying

me… born as a prince, but had lived a life that was filled

the palace, she was like sunshine, brightening the days for those who

She was truly special.

she was running away from my brother,

Theo anymore,” I told her, continuing to run my fingers through her hair. She was smiling at me, but there was a slight shift in her eyes. I

it was almost a whisper. “What would you think about the two of

been doing

“Well, yeah, I guess so. But I meant… like a

looked

bright red. “I mean, if you want

that would be nice,” she said, still smiling, but I thought I saw something behind her eyes, something that told me there was

glad

red, and she was absolutely adorable. “But…” she

There was a “but,” of course. Why

now. If anything that I’ve been told is happening there is true, I need

if you still want

finger against her lips and assured her again, “I’ll gladly wait for

her face deepened, and I felt

of revelations. Just when I thought I was starting to understand this girl, it turned

not.

most welcome, my sweet

***

*Ciana*

have