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.

headed back to

with them. I could feel my face

could leave and get Warren the help he needed. As for myself,

still there. She misses you a lot," Jake added.

too," I admitted, sighing heavily. It felt

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

and nudged his shoulder. "It is okay to care about her and worry

I just think she'd feel better getting a

to see her. I'm just "

might need help with Prince Warren. He'll need a lot of care, and

and

was worried that his Alpha would hear him. I glanced at Theo, who wasn't pay-

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

we got into the van. What would

hind? I would tell him that my

that in mind, I was ready to face

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 of relief

okay with me tagging along after all?

sudden, I felt energetic

that he wouldn't be able to get rid of me at this point, so I

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

He looked at War- ren sometimes and

happy to be with him, but after more than an hour, it was still dead quiet in the car. I felt the need to break the awkward silence.

you think Warren will be alright?" I asked, even though in this case, we both had exactly the same amount of information, and his

"Yes."

hope so

think King Sebastian will

we'll figure out a way to make him do

"How?"

"Don't know yet."

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

in so long," I changed the

in response.

she's been feeling a bit under the weather. He thinks seeing me will help cheer her up. I'd like to be there for her,"

she'll appreciate that," Theo said

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

Theo just nodded.

don't send me away. I'm going back to the palace

eyebrow at me but he didn't

right, I admitted it, sitting in awkward silence was probably way

sense of what he was feeling about me, but at this rate, I was simply

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

Warren was fully settled down in his room within twenty

stood up and was walking toward the door. "Where are you

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."

the least

and followed Theo, "We need it! By the

away as I said a prayer to the Moon Goddess.

not long after

so

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

whispered, "She insisted on coming. When she heard Prince Warren was ill, she lost

laying in the bed, she bounced on the balls of her feet and let out a high- pitched cry, "Your

in here!" One of Theo's men said,

She point- ed at

has special authorization from Prince Theo. If you continue this behavior, I'll have to remove you from here

name, and the guard grabbed her arm.

she want?