Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 84: Do You Have Feelings For Me?

I kept holding my ankle, sucked in a sharp breath, and batted my eyelashes until I could force out a few tears.

"I didn't push her that hard! Luther, she's faking it, she set me up," Jennifer whined, pointing at me.

"But you did push her, didn't you?" Luther asked, crossing his arms and glaring at Jennifer.

"I... well... yeah, but not hard enough to hurt her," Jennifer said again.

I just held my ankle tightly and let out a low sigh. If I kept my silence, Jennifer would look more and more guilty. She'd even look a little wacky. I'd remain innocent.

"Luther, please, you have to believe me! I didn't mean to hurt her," Jennifer insisted, stomping her foot like a rebelling child.

"I don't have to believe you," Luther muttered. "Especially, when my eyes can tell me that you are lying."

"But I..."

"That's enough. I will deal with you later," Luther said. He took a knee beside me. "Ciana, are you okay?"

"I... my ankle is twisted pretty bad," I muttered, looking at him with wide, glassy eyes.

Behind him, Jennifer fumed, her hands balled into fists again. If Luther hadn't been there, she probably would have attacked me.

I ignored her. I needed to keep playing the role of the in- jured victim.

"Let me see," Luther muttered, taking my hands tenderly and pulling them from my ankle.

"I probably just need some rest. Is there somewhere I can lie down?" I asked, biting my lip innocently.

"Yes, of course."

I struggled to stand up, but gave a soft whimper of pain. Before I could try moving, Luther scooped me up in his arms, princess style. My legs bent over one of his strong arms and his other looped around my back. He cradled me against his chest.

"Luther, I'm sorry," Jennifer said, reaching for him as Luther walked by her.

"You've done enough. Don't worry, I'll follow up with you when I get Ciana settled," Luther snarled under his breath.

Jennifer looked like she was ready to cry. I sighed inward- ly. I believed she did really care for Luther.

After we left the banquet room, I sighed, "Luther, Jennifer isn't a bad person. She just cares about you a lot." Although I somewhat used Jennifer for my plan, I didn't want her to really get punished because of me.

"You're still speaking for her after what she's done to you?"

an accident." I

on a couch. He grabbed a

of water and a blanket. Gently, he laid the blanket over

asked, handing

the cap and taking a

I needed. I'm sure I'll feel better in no time," I said, offering

chair up next to me and removed the

be swelling," he said. "That's good. Hopefully,

ice on it, or maybe heat?" I asked, taking an- other sip of water.

it for now. If it starts to swell or get worse, I'll get

that sounds good,"

anything else I can get for you?" he

might not agree with his

Luther had been polite and decent to

set. Thank you and...

and he cocked his head at me. "What are

Now, I

well, I'm sorry for causing trouble and ruining your party," I

with a shrug. He cracked a quick smile and

fin- gers curled around mine. I tried to

fault, Ciana. Jennifer can be... passionate at times. Don't worry, I'll make sure

a scene," I muttered, stopping myself before I said something

he stared hard. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to

this but... Is it

slightly, and I swallowed

have to be enemies," I reminded him, smiling

you know it. Do you have real, romantic feelings for me?" he

sighed and thought carefully about how to answer. If I shut him down, he'd put up his emotional walls again and it would be harder for me to slip away. If I gave him the wrong idea, he might try to follow through

to try and spurn an unwant- ed romantic advance. I had to choose my words carefully so Luther didn't become

that's a good

me to continue. I shifted my eyes to the ceiling, coyly, like I was pretending to

think about it. If you're gentler with me than Prince Theo, maybe I could."

him a chal- lenge. "Well, I'll just see what I can do about

our banter and a maid came in. She looked at her feet while

Alpha Luther. There are guests at the party wondering where you are,"

on Luther and me and report back. Jennifer didn't want Luther and me to be

I'm helping a wounded friend," Luther argued, waving to dismiss

probably ordered not to leave until Luther did. I was sure Jennifer assumed we wouldn't do any- thing with

get back to the party. I'm sure there are a lot

his assistance, my plan hinged on him being distracted at the party and far away from