Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 81: Can You Do Me a Favor?

I did everything I could to be cooperative with what Magnolia wanted me to do. Once everything was done, I was finally able to leave my room and get some fresh air.

Getting Luther's fur. That was the task Theo, who still wanted to be called Tallis, had given me. I don't know where his confidence in me came from, but I guess neither of us had another option.

Tallis wouldn't reappear until the set time we'd agreed to meet. And I better have what we needed by then...

I needed to think about how to get close enough to Luther to get his wolf's fur. Heading out into the gardens, I wandered through the little pathways looking at the flowers.

In the entrance to the garden, there were beautiful tulips and irises poking up through green ground cover that had small blue flowers on it. The gardens were well cared for and so vibrant and colorful.

Walking deeper into the garden, I passed by an old fountain that wasn't in use. The basin was empty and the statue at the center was faded. It looked like the fountain hadn't had any water in it for years.

On the opposite side of the fountain the garden changed.

There were rose bushes that were thick with thorns and vines and hardly any flowers. The smaller plants that grew around the base of the rose bushes were wilted. Their stems arched over, the petals of the flowers curling at the tips and turning brown.

The soil was so dry on top that it was blowing around in the wind.

This part of the garden hadn't been taken care of in a long time.

I looked around and saw a few gardeners in other parts of the garden. They were working hard and I could see how healthy those areas were. Why did no one come and take care of these flower beds?

It was strange that Luther kept most of the mansion in good order while intentionally leaving some parts in their dilapidated state. Maybe like the left wing of his mansion, there was some sentimental meaning of these flower beds as well.

I knelt down beside one of the rose bushes and pulled some fallen leaves away. Underneath was a small sprout, struggling to get free. I helped the little sprout angle toward the sunlight.

Poor thing wouldn't last long without water and proper care.

The same weedy vines that choked the rose bushes would take over this little plant, too.

Feeling bad for the garden, I went to the nearest tool shed.

There was a watering can and a hose and a bunch of little rakes and trowels. I even found a pair of pruning shears. I gathered it all together and went back to the neglected flower beds.

and dig up the roots. These weeds would strangle the entire garden, eventually. With each plant I freed from the vines, I

on to pruning the rose bushes, cutting the vines off them and trimming back the leaves

voice came from behind

whipped around and tucked my free hand into my pocket. There were leaves and brambles all

like this. I love flowers, and since I've got some time, it's a good way to spend my afternoon."

shook his head and walked around me. He stroked his chin

You Do

beds," he explained. "Sebastian killed her, and all of my pack. Since then, I haven't let anyone touch her

didn't mean to be intruding," I whispered,

forthcoming with the skeletons in his closet. Even with someone he wanted to see end up with the Dark

someone to be with Prince Theo, anyone" I explained quickly and redirected the topic back to him. "Do you know if there are

wondered if he knew about

their bodies with my own hands! The only one I couldn't find was my aunt. I hope she was able to escape. I've

I asked.

Theo's mother, Nita. Theo and Jake had said

possible that Nita was Luther's aunt? If she was, that meant Luther and Theo were...cousins?

I

at you, I could imagine that your mother and your aunt were beautiful women." I gently caressed the leaf of one of the plants next to me and

always loved my mother's brunette, wavy hair and beautiful green eyes. As for my aunt, they said that she was the most beautiful woman of

instead, she was taken by King Sebastian as a trophy because

knew his mother and Luther were from the same pack, but did he know

all, other than her name, not a

and the king didn't like when others talked about her. Probably because he didn't want

truth, would he be so quick to attack Theo and try to destroy him? Family had to account

his head, bowing it heavily as he stood before the rose bushes. "When I see these flowers, I think of my mother and I don't want to be reminded of

suffered, that your family suffered, at the hands of the king," I said gently. I came

to me, and if I played my cards

to be nice

Sebastian was truly capable

Theo was his cousin and that his aunt was alive. Given what he'd just told me, the news of his aunt might upset him more. He'd probably never accept that

was better to keep the focus on him and his family.

we should restore these rose bushes and flower beds," I said, pulling out the pruning shears and smiling at Luther.