Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 102: Boyfriend

*Ciana*

I couldn't believe I dozed off!

Theo said they would be leaving in two hours-were they already gone?

I ran to check on Warren. He wasn't in his room. For a mo- ment, my heart sank to the bottom and I thought they chose to leave without me.

Thank Goddess, when I got to the foyer, Jake and a cou- ple of guys were getting Warren loaded into a van. He was strapped on a gurney, still unconscious.

Aurora was there, saying goodbye to Warren. Her eyes were glassy with tears.

I walked over and was about to ask Aurora whether she would like to come with us to the palace, when I realized that Theo actually hadn't extended the invitation for me to go with him.

I watched Theo and Jake getting prepared to set off, and couldn't help but decide to find out what was their plan.

"Do you have a plan on what to do now?" I asked, walking up beside Theo.

His face was drawn and distant again. The past 12 hours seemed extremely long, and he'd been so obviously upset and emotional at what happened to Warren and what he was ca-

pable of.

ty.

For a few moments, he'd even let me see that vulnerabili-

Now, he was the same old aloof Theo again.

"Yes, to a degree. We've made some arrangements in the palace," Theo said.

"Okay," I said softly, looking at the ground.

Theo's 'we' only included himself and Jake, obviously. It didn't sound like I was being included to return to the palace.

I couldn't assume that I'd be welcome to accompany them without an invitation, as the royal palace wasn't my backyard. Now that I'd technically "dropped out" of the running for Theo's potential bride, there was no reason someone like me would have to go to the castle.

The palace wasn't exactly open for anyone to come and go as they please.

But I wanted to. My heart ached with the desire to stay with Theo and to see Warren recover.

Theo wasn't inviting me, so I wasn't sure if he'd be recep- tive to me asking to tag along, because I might end up being more of a burden to him. He had a lot going on in his head with what he'd been through recently.

Then there was the promise I'd made to Lady Nita. I'd told her I would stay away from Theo and the palace if she helped him. She'd kept up her end of the deal. I couldn't go back on mine.

Besides, and most importantly, I'd kissed Theo last night and he'd... he hadn't mentioned anything about it.

At this point, I could no longer lie to myself.

Yes, I fell for the Dark Prince.

I wanted to be with him and be there for him. I wanted him to know that he wasn't alone.

But what did he think about me?

Yes, he was protective of me, I knew that, just like he cared about Maggie, Warren, and even Jake. But was there anything more than that?

"Ciana, you in there?" Jake asked, waving his fingers in front of my face.

"Y-yes, what?" I asked, snapping out of my trance.

"I've been calling you. You must have been thinking pretty deeply."

"Oh, yeah... I just hope Warren gets the help he needs," I forced a smile on my face and played it off like it wasn't a big deal that they were leaving without me.

But it was.

back to the palace."

to go with them. I could feel my face fall and I couldn't maintain that

leave and get Warren the help he needed. As for myself, I was seriously considering

She misses

miss her too," I admitted, sighing heavily. It felt like I hadn't seen her

she hasn't been feeling all that well lately," Jake said. He blushed suddenly, like he wasn't

couple of times and nudged his shoulder. "It is

I just think she'd feel better getting a visit from you,"

her. I'm just "

lot of care, and who knows

There was the invitation I was hoping for, and

his Alpha would hear him. I glanced at

my trip was to see Brook and to help with Warren. As long as I wasn't going back for Theo, Lady Nita couldn't say I broke

a bit nervous when we got into the van. What would

me and asked me to stay be- hind? I would tell him

that in mind, I was ready to face

freezing at the car door for a couple of seconds, he didn't say anything or do anything else before sitting down next to me. My eyes didn't leave his face the en- tire time, and I could have sworn I saw a hint

was okay with me tagging

felt energetic and in

to get rid of me at this point, so I

the night before. Still pale and unconscious. Periodically, I checked his pulse. Some- times, he was so

to me at all. He looked at War- ren sometimes and then looked out the window.

it was still dead quiet in the car.

I asked, even though in this case, we both had exactly

"Yes."

so

King Sebastian will

figure out a way to make him do

"How?"

"Don't know yet."

I gotta say, conversation wasn't Prince Theo's forte.

long," I changed the topic

in

feeling a bit under the weather. He thinks seeing me will help cheer her up. I'd like to be there

sure she'll appreciate that," Theo

help with Warren, too. It won't be easy looking after him while you figure out

Theo just nodded.

going back to the palace to help

raised an eyebrow at me but he didn't say

it, sitting in awkward silence was probably way easier

was hoping to get a sense of what he was feeling about me, but at this rate, I was

the majestic front gates, I felt it had been ages since I last set

Warren was fully settled down in his room within twenty minutes, including proper se- curity and

and was walking toward the door. "Where are you

eye, "I'm going to see the king. I have my men here, they'll only listen to you, so most people in the palace shouldn't bother you. Take care of yourself and War- ren."

nodded, "That's the least I could

By the way, Brook should

them walk away as I said a

enough, not long after that, Brook showed up.

missed you so much!" she said

you too," I smiled, then immediately noticed someone else was also here.

on coming. When she heard Prince

the balls of her feet and let out a high- pitched cry, "Your Highness! Oh no,

you're not allowed in here!" One of Theo's men said, blocking

those unruly women are?" She point- ed at us. "Let me

Prince Theo. If you continue this behavior, I'll

Sophia shouted my name, and the guard grabbed her

she